Influence of a nuclear fuel chemical separations facility on the plutonium contents of a wheat crop

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1980.00472425000900020030x· OSTI ID:6983502

McLeod, K W; Adriano, D C; Boni, A L; Corey, J C; Horton, J H; Paine, D; Pinder, III, J E

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) was grown in very close proximity to a nuclear-fuel chemical separations facility to determine the environmental behavior and potential health hazard of chronic low-level releases of plutonium (Pu) to the atmosphere from that facility. The majority (>95%) of the contamination of wheat plants was surfical contamination resulting from direct deposition of recently released Pu-bearing particles onto plant surfaces and resuspension of Pu from soil. Internal contamination resulting from root uptake of Pu was negligible compared to surface contamination. The major pathway (>70%) of Pu to wheat grain was via harvesting activities when Pu was transferred from the surface of vegetative portions of plants to the surface of the grain. Radiation dose resulting from consumption of grain grown in the vicinity of a nuclear-fuel separations facility is negligible compared to that currently received from natural and fallout sources of radiation.

• Research Organization: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Aiken, SC
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-09-0819
• OSTI ID: 6983502
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 9:2; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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CEREALS
ELEMENTS
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GRAMINEAE
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PARTICLE RESUSPENSION
PLANTS
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RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
UPTAKE
WASTES
WHEAT