THE DIRECT UPTAKE OF FISSION PRODUCTS ON RYEGRASS

Technical Report · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1959

OSTI ID:4207045

Morgan, A

Ryegrass growing on trays of vermiculite containing added nutrients was exposed to fall-out for 30 days. After this time the ryegrass was harvested from each tray and analyzed for various fission products (Sr/sup 89/ Sr/sup 90/, Zr/ sup 95/, Cs/sup 137/, and Ce/sup 144). The deposition of these fission products was calculated from the analysis of rain-water collected over the same period. The results enabled the amounts of each isotope taken up directly on the ryegrass to be calculated. Direct uptake was in the order Ce/sup 144/> Zr/sup 95/> Sr/sup 90/> Cs/sup 137. The results indicate that grass will contain most, if not all, the fission products present in fall-out. The dose to the intestinal mucosa of the cow due to ingestion of observed levels of fission products on grass is shown to be negligible compared with that which has been found to produce pathological effects. However, the results draw attention to the need for considering direct uptake in the event of an accident involving the release of radioactivity. (auth)

• Research Organization: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. Research Group. Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, England
• NSA Number: NSA-14-010331
• OSTI ID: 4207045
• Report Number(s): AERE-R-3181
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CATTLE
CEREALS
CERIUM 144
CESIUM 137
COWS
DEPOSITS
FALLOUT
FISSION PRODUCTS
INTESTINE
MEASURED VALUES
PLANTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RAIN
STRONTIUM 89
STRONTIUM 90
ZIRCONIUM 95