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This paper provides a brief introduction to the Arctic atmospheric radioactivity monitoring network. A decade of monitoring results have shown the 137Cs background levels in Arctic air range from 0.05 to 1.50 μBq/m3. The monitoring stations have sufficient sensitivity to detect 137Cs brought to the atmosphere due to resuspension in local soil and reemissions from biomass burning in a daily temporal resolution. These observations can be used as tracers for atmospheric processes. The 133Xe measurements obtained at Yellowknife, Resolute and Spitsbergen could support other research into how air pollution problems arise across intercontinental distances. It will help develop and improve models capable of predicting the long-distance transport and deposition of trace gases in the Arctic. Rainwater monitoring data collected in Finnish Lapland since the 1960's indicate that 3H radioactivity concentrations reached natural background levels in early 2000s, typically around 1–2 Bq/L monthly, with an annual seasonal variation cycle consistent with the observed of other cosmogenic radionuclides. • Radionuclide monitoring in the Arctic atmosphere. • 137Cs background levels in Arctic air range 0.05-1.50 µBq/m3, higher values are used as tracers for atmospheric processes. • Observations of 133Xe in the Arctic could support other research on air pollution problems arise across continental distances. • 3H concentrations in the Arctic have fallen to natural background levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2011, severe nuclear accident happened at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) after the gigantic earthquake and following huge tsunami wave. A lot of investigations to assess environmental and radiological impacts of released radionuclides have been conducted by domestic and international organizations. Environmental radioactivity research related to the FDNPP accident has spread widely over different scientific fields due to specific features of the accident, and specifically its impact on the marine environment. The present paper summarizes major lessons learned from the environmental investigations of the FDNPP accident. Environmental radioactivity studies have typical interdisciplinary character; especially physics and chemistry are fundamental as a base of process studies in the environment. In this sight, we review chemical aspects regarding FDNPP-derived radiocesium transfer within and between compartments (atmosphere, ocean and land). We also discuss future trends in investigations of behavior of anthropogenic radionuclides in the environment, important not only for a better understanding of impacts of the FDNPP accident on the environment, but also for improving our general knowledge of the total environment in the Anthropocene era and its protection for the future. • 10 years after the FDNPP accident, the environment has been contaminated mainly by Cs-137. • Understanding of Cs-transfer within and between compartments has considerably improved. • Chemical processes are a key factor of Cs-transfer between aquatic and solid phases. • Migration of Cs-137 in terrestrial and marine ecosystems will dominate in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]