Plant uptake of radionuclides

TLDR

The study discusses factors influencing radionuclide uptake from soils into vegetation, considering soil type, radionuclide, plant species and organ, and time since contamination. The study examines how resuspended soil contaminates aerial plant parts depending on radionuclide type, vegetation height, and meteorological conditions, and describes the creation of an international database of soil‑to‑crop transfer factors by the International Union of Radioecologists. The authors identify knowledge gaps, notably the unexpected behavior of radiocaesium in upland Britain after Chernobyl, and note that the database is now used for statistical analyses to quantify environmental and biological factors affecting soil‑to‑plant uptake. Abstract.

Abstract

Abstract. The factors influencing uptake of radionuclides from soils into vegetation are discussed with reference to soil type, radionuclide, plant species and organ, and time since initial contamination. Gaps in knowledge are identified, particularly as highlighted by the unexpected behaviour of radiocaesium in many upland areas of Britain, following deposition after the Chernobyl accident. The importance of resuspended soil for contamination of aerial plant parts is also considered in relation to radionuclide type, vegetation height, and meteorological conditions. The development of an international database by the International Union of Radioecologists for soil to crop transfer factors of radionuclides derived from European experiments is briefly described. This database is now being used for statistical analyses aimed at quantifying the importance of environmental and biological factors in influencing uptake of radionuclides from the soil.