Accumulation of radionuclides by plants as a monitor system

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.7827165· OSTI ID:6738813

Koranda, J J; Robison, W L

The accumulation of radionuclides by plants acting as a monitoring system in the environment may occur by two modes; foliar absorption by the leaves and shoot of the plant, or by root uptake from the soil. Data on plant accumulation of radionuclides may be obtained from studies of fission product radionuclides deposited as worldwide fallout, and from tracer studies of plant physiology. The foliar uptake of fallout radionuclides, 99Sr, 131I, and 137Cs, is described with examples from the scientific literature. Soil-root uptake is conditioned primarily by soil chemical and physical factors which may selectively retain a radionuclide, such as 137Cs. The presence of organic matter, inorganic colloids (clay), and competing elements will strongly affect the uptake of 99Sr and 137Cs by plants from the soil. The role of plants as monitors of radionuclides is twofold: as monitors of recent atmospheric releases of radionuclides; and as indicators of the long-term behavior of aged deposits of radionuclides in the soil.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Livermore
• OSTI ID: 6738813
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 27; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560173* -- Radiation Effects-- Nuclide Kinetics & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CESIUM 137
CESIUM ISOTOPES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
FALLOUT
FALLOUT DEPOSITS
FOLIAR UPTAKE
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
IODINE 131
IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LEAVES
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
PLANTS
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
ROOT ABSORPTION
STRONTIUM 99
STRONTIUM ISOTOPES
UPTAKE
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES