Analysis of aerosol distribution inside the object "shelter" at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor site

Results of the aerosol sampling inside the Object Shelter at the Chornobyl nuclear reactor site are considered in the work. The results show a consistent and significant contribution of submicron fraction to the total aerosol activity. Different methods of interpretation of impactor data series are compared in order to indicate and detect in the most effective way the submicron fraction as a separate component of the distribution. The methods used are as follows-method of probabilistic-logarithmic scale, method of likelihood function, non-linear approximation by sum of several log-normal distributions, and restoration of the initial distribution using passage functions of impactor cascades. Practically all the collected data on aerosol distribution inside the Shelter show a distinct submicron component. The contribution of the submicron component into the total aerosol activity is about 35%. Influence of the actual aerosol distribution on the dose coefficients is analyzed.