Plant Uptake of Radiocaesium on Heather Moorland Grazed by Sheep

Abstract

A hill pasture on an iron podzol in north-east Scotland comprising areas of heather-dominated vegetation and Deschampsia flexuosa grassland was grazed by sheep from May to early October in 1989 and 1990. In each vegetation type small quadrats were artificially contaminated with 134 Cs by soil injection, and seasonal changes in 134 Cs concentrations within these quadrats were recorded for the main botanical components. Calluna vulgaris accumulated more 134 Cs than any other species. Current and previous years' shoots of C. vulgaris showed consistently higher 134 Cs concentrations than wood and dead shoots. Within the herbs 134 Cs concentrations increased significantly in the order: fine-leaved grasses < broad-leaved grasses < Carex pilulifera < Galium saxatile (...)