RADIOACTIVE STRONTIUM AND CAESIUM IN THE EDIBLE PARTS OF CROP PLANTS AFTER FOLIAR CONTAMINATION

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1959 · Intern. J. Radiation Biol.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/09553005914550511· OSTI ID:4202429

Middleton, L J

BS>The degree of contamination of wheat, potato, cabbage, and sugar beet has been investigated after the application of Sr/sup 89/ and Cs/sup 137/ in a fine spray at different stages in the growth of the plants. The main experimental treatments were applied over two years to obtain information on seasonal effects. The extent to which Cs/sup 137/ was concentrated in the edible tissues greatly exceeded that of Sr/sup 89/. Usually the concentration of S/sup 89/ or Cs/sup 137/ in each crop varied by less than an order of magnitude irrespective of the state of growth of the crop at the time of contamination and the year in which the experiment was carried out; the Sr/sup 89/ content of wheat grain, however, was considerably lower when the plants were contaminated before the ears emerged. A large part of the radioactivity which was deposited on the leaves was removed rapidly by rain; a further fraction was lost as leaves died. The data obtained have been used to predict the probable degree of contamination of crops growing under normal agricultural conditions. (auth)

• Research Organization: Agricultural Research Council, Grove, Berks, Eng.; Field Station, Compton, Berks, Eng.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-14-005002
• OSTI ID: 4202429
• Journal Information: Intern. J. Radiation Biol., Journal Name: Intern. J. Radiation Biol. Vol. Vol: 4
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AGRICULTURE
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CABBAGE
CESIUM 137
CONTAMINATION
DISPERSIONS
PLANTS
POTATOES
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIOACTIVITY
RAIN
STRONTIUM 89
TISSUES
VEGETABLES
WHEAT