Accumulation of technetium from soil by plants: a potential mechanism for uptake and toxicity

Conference · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975

OSTI ID:4169469

Wildung, R E; Garland, T R; Cataldo, D A

The isotope $sup 99$Tc (T $sup 1$$/$$sub 2$, 2.15 x 10$sup 5$ years) is produced by the spontaneous fission of $sup 238$U in nature and by the slow neutron fission of $sup 238$U in nuclear reactors. In the latter case, the potential exists for Tc entrance into the environment in emissions from nuclear reactors, nuclear fuel reprocessing plants, and other facilities which use Tc for commercial purposes. Results are reported from studies on Tc uptake by plants. The most stable chemical species of Tc in aqueous solution is the pertechnetate ion (TcO$sub 4$$sup -1$), and it is this form which is most likely to enter surface soils. Recent studies indicated that at least over the short term, pertechnetate is soluble and highly mobile in most soils and is sorbed in significant quantities only in high organic matter, low pH soils. Plant availability normally increases with increased ion solubility in soil provided the ion is not discriminated against at the plant root level. Furthermore, the aqueous chemistry of pertechnetate is similar in several respects to permanganate and molybdate, compounds of elements essential in plant nutrition. Experiments were undertaken to determine the uptake and distribution of Tc in plants as a function of time using soybeans (Glycine max) and $sup 99$Tc as a tracer. (CH)

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(45-1)-1830
• NSA Number: NSA-33-000597
• OSTI ID: 4169469
• Report Number(s): BNWL-SA--5393; CONF-750847--2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*SOYBEANS-- RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
*TECHNETIUM 99-- ROOT ABSORPTION
510300* --Environmental Sciences
Terrestrial--Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport
N44300* --Environmental & Earth Sciences--Radioactivity Monitoring & Transport
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY
ORGANIC ACIDS
PERTECHNETATES
PH VALUE
PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SOILS
SOLUBILITY
TRACER TECHNIQUES