Estimation of¹³⁷Cs Plant Root Uptake Using Naturally Existing¹³³Cs

Abstract

In order to estimate soil-to-plant transfer factors (TFs) of 137 Cs using naturally existing 133 Cs, 137 Cs concentrations and some soil properties were measured in various crops and associated soils collected throughout Japan.Plants absorb elements in a plant-available fraction; because 133 Cs is likely to behave similarly to K, exchangeable 133 Cs (ex. 133Cs), which is thought to be plant-available, was estimated using the exchangeable K (ex.K) amount.For brown rice, a high correlation was observed between TF of 137 Cs and the ratio of concentrations of 133 Cs in rice to ex. 133 Cs.Thus, TF of 137 Cs was estimated using four concentrations, i.e. 133 Cs in soil, 133 Cs in rice, K in soil, and ex.K.