An evaluation of ratio systems in radioecological studies

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Health Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199602000-00009· OSTI ID:263089

McGee, E J; Synnott, H J; Colgan, P A ^[1]

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1. Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, Dublin (Ireland); and others

Replicate samples of soil, Juncus squarrosus and Calluna vulgaris were taken within a grid system on an organic peatland soil site in Ireland. A similar sampling survey was carried out on an organic rich forest soil site in Sweden, where Vaccinium myrtillus and Vaccinium vitis-idaea with corresponding soil samples were taken within a Picea abies stand. The data were used to investigate the relationship between soil and plant {sup 137}Cs content and to examine the validity of using ratios to describe this relationship. Findings from both countries were in agreement. There were no significant changes in plant {sup 137}Cs concentration associated with increasing soil content. When data from both countries were merged and treated as a single data set, a significant overall positive correlation (95% confidence level) between soil and plant {sup 137}Cs levels was observed. Concentration ratios and transfer factors were calculated for {sup 137}Cs and {sup 40}K uptake from soils to plants. Both ratio types exhibited a clearly defined decrease associated with increasing soil concentrations for both radionuclides. Findings demonstrate serious problems with the use of ratios for the evaluation of radionuclide transfer. 28 refs., 4 figs., 10 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 263089
• Journal Information: Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 70; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CESIUM 137
CONTAMINATION
CORRELATIONS
IRELAND
PLANTS
POTASSIUM 40
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SAMPLING
SOILS
SWEDEN
UPTAKE