LANDSCAPE INVESTIGATIONS USING CAESIUM-137

Journal Article · Sat Feb 22 04:00:00 EST 1964 · Nature

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/201761a0· OSTI ID:4070707

Auerbach, S I; Olson, J S; Waller, H D

An experiment is described in which tracer quantities of Cs/sup 137/ were used in a relatively large-scale field investigation. A forest ecosystem tagged with Cs/sup 137/ was used: to determine cesium cycles and rates of cycling in a mesic forest ecosystem; to measure cesium transfer between components of an ecosystem and apply these results to a theoretical model of element circulation; and to derive information useful for predicting the fate of problem radionuclides in those ecosystems potentially having a large capacity for storage in biological materials. The site chosen was a sinkhole habitat forested by Liriodendron tulipifera. Methods used for dose determination, inoculation of trees, avoiding undesirable contamination, and sampling of the forest are described. Seasonal variations in isotope distribution are discussed. Preliminary results emphasize the importance of rain as an agent in radiocesium transfer. Approximately 20 percent of the total litter burden was derived from rain leaching. Seven percent of the original radiocesium input to Liriodendron was transferred to the forest floor during the first growing season. (H.M.G.)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-015762
• OSTI ID: 4070707
• Journal Information: Nature, Journal Name: Nature Vol. Vol: 201
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CESIUM 137
DISTRIBUTION
FLOWERS
LEACHING
PLANTS
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOISOTOPES
RAIN
SAMPLING
TRACER TECHNIQUES
VARIATIONS