In-situ remediation of soil contaminated with low concentrations of radionuclides
- Auburn Univ., AL (United States). Dept. of Agronomy and Soils
- Forest Service, Corvallis, OR (United States). Pacific Northwest Research Station
- idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States). Coll. of Forest Resources
Since plants are known to take up and accumulate {sup 37}Cs and {sup 90}Sr, removal of these radionuclides from contaminated soils by plants would provide a reliable and economical method of remediation. One approach is to use fast-growing, perennial plants combined with specific mycorrhizal fungi to maximize plant accumulation and removal of {sup 137}Cs and {sup 90}Sr from contaminated soils. The objective is to find a series of plants that can quickly accumulate and remove radionuclides from soils. Specific mycorrhizal fungi inoculated onto plants should enhance the uptake of {sup 137}Cs and {sup 90}Sr. Laboratory studies indicate that certain plants may be able to remove radionuclides, especially {sup 137}Cs and {sup 90}Sr, from soil over a period of less than 10 yr. In addition, one could change the physical and chemical properties of the soil to enhance the availability of {sup 137}Cs and {sup 90}Sr to plants while decreasing the mobility of these radionuclides in soil. The above-ground portion of perennial plants would be harvested. High-temperature combustion would be used to oxidize plant material, concentrating {sup 137}Cs and {sup 90}Sr in ash for disposal. One of the many strengths of this method is its applicability to any terrestrial environment. Transportation of radionuclides from the site could be minimized through plant management, selection of plants that are less palatable to grazing animals, and fencing. Environmental conditions will change with each site; however, radionuclide accumulation could be accomplished by plants that are adapted to a wide spectrum of environmental conditions. There is no other practical and economic method to remove these radionuclides form the vast areas of land that have been contaminated by nuclear testing and nuclear reactor accidents.
- OSTI ID:
- 398085
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941124--; ISBN 0-935470-85-9
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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