Journal of Environmental Quality · 1988 · 51 citations · 0 references
AgricultureEarth SciencesSoil SciencesSoil ChemistrySoil PhysicsSoil ScienceSoil CompositionSoil GeochemistrySoil QualityEnvironmental Radionuclide AnalysisRadionuclide AnalysisRadionuclide Content AssessmentRadionuclide FateRadionuclide KineticsRadionuclide SamplingSoil Texture AnalysisSoil Texture Distribution
Abstract Little information is available on the regional distribution of natural radionuclides in agricultural environments. Surface soil samples were collected from uncultivated, unfertilized sites in the agricultural area of Saskatchewan, Canada, and analyzed for 40 K, and daughters of 238 U and 232 Th. Activities of 40 K, 214 Bi ( 238 U daughter), and 208 Tl ( 232 Th daughter) were normally distributed with means of 480, 19, and 8 Bq kg −1 , respectively. Overall, the activities of all three radionuclides decreased as soil texture became coarser, while distinct geographic areas with elevated levels were probably due to local parent material composition. Natural radionuclide levels were significantly correlated to one another and the average ratio of 214 Bi/ 208 Tl/ 40 K in native, unfertilized Saskatchewan surface soils was 1:0.45:26.