Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Accumulation of strontium and cesium by kale as a function of age of plant

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)
The accumulation of Sr and Cs throughout the growth cycle of a hydroponically grown vegetable crop (Brassica oleracea var. acephala D.C. Blue Curl) was studied. The cumulative effect of supplying the radionuclides through the nutrient solution to kale throughout the growth cycle, simulating a continuous discharge, was compared to exposure at each stage of the growth cycle to a single dose of radioactivity, simulating an accidental release. The time course of accumulation of /sup 137/Cs supplied continuously through the nutrient solution resembled the sigmoidal dry weight growth curve of the vegetable. Accumulation of this nuclide after exposure of kale to radioactivity for 48 hours at each stage of growth decreased with age of the plant. The time course of /sup 90/Sr supplied continuously resembled the pattern of the periodic 48-hour accumulation for this radionuclide, although there was a 1- to 2-week lag period between the two uptake patterns.
Research Organization:
Florida State Univ., Tallahassee
OSTI ID:
6499457
Journal Information:
J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 10:1; ISSN JEVQA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English