UPTAKE OF STRONTIUM BY PASTURE PLANTS AND ITS POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANCE IN RELATION TO THE FALL-OUT OF STRONTIUM-90

Journal Article · Sat Jun 27 04:00:00 EDT 1959 · Nature

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/1831806a0· OSTI ID:4255673

Russell, R S; Garner, R J

The extrapolation of data from pot studies to pasture conditions is questioned in studies on the absorption from soil of fall-out strontium-90 by pasture plants. It is pointed out that when cattle are fed a normal diet the ratio of strontium-90 to calcium in their milk depends primarily on the ratio of strontium-90 to calcium in their total diet, being approximately one-seventh of that quantity. Evidence is presented for the view that the present levels of strontium-90 in milk from worldwide fall-out are due primarily to it lodging directly on the aerial tissues of plants and not from strontium90 entering the soil. In considering the contamination of plants by absorption of fall-out fission products from the soil, it is important to consider the depth from which the plant roots absorb their nutrients. It has been established that the major pant of the strontium-90 which enters undisturbed soil from fall-out is retained in the upper 5 cm of soil. When pasture plants absorb strontium-90 from uniformily contanninated soil the balance between grass and clover in pastures also appears unlikely to be an important factor in determining the strontium content of milk. (C.H.)

• Research Organization: Agricultural Research Council, Radiobiological Lab., Wantage, Berks, Eng.; Agricultural Research Council Field Station, Compton, Newbury, Berks, Eng.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-13-018832
• OSTI ID: 4255673
• Journal Information: Nature, Journal Name: Nature Vol. Vol: 183
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CALCIUM
CATTLE
CONTAMINATION
DIET
FALLOUT
FISSION PRODUCTS
MILK
PLANTS
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
ROOTS
SOILS
STRONTIUM 90
TISSUES