Determination of dose rate from Chernobyl-derived radiocaesium in Estonian soil

► Radiocaesium was measured in the soil profiles of North Eastern Estonia during the years 1991-2003. ► A compartmental model described satisfactorily the time-dependent transfer of radiocaesium in soil profiles. ► The residence half-times of radiocaesium in soil compartments were determined. ► The mean 50 year effective doses caused by external gamma exposure from the Chernobyl deposition is 0.79 mSv.