Mulching as a countermeasure for crop contamination within the 30 km zone of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
- Univ. de Barcelona (Spain)
- Ukrainian Inst. of Agricultural Radiology, Kiev (Ukraine)
The effect of mulch soil cover on crop contamination by {sup 137}Cs was studied within the 30 km zone of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Experiments were performed with oats (Avena sativa) over a three year period. In 1992 soil surface was covered by a plastic net. In 1993 two straw mulch treatments were applied at a dose rate of 200 g m{sup {minus}2} using {sup 137}Cs contaminated and clean straw, respectively. A similar mulch treatment was applied in 1994, and two mulch doses of clean straw were tested. Protection of the soil with a plastic net significantly increased crop yield and reduced crop contamination. When clean straw was used as a mulch layer, a significant decrease of about 30--40% in {sup 137}Cs activity concentration was observed. Mulching with {sup 137}Cs contaminated straw did not reduce crop contamination, probably due to an increase in soil available {sup 137}Cs released from the contaminated mulch. Mulching has been shown to be an effective treatment both for reducing {sup 137}Cs plant contamination and improving crop yield. Therefore, it can be considered as a potential countermeasure in a post-accident situation.
- OSTI ID:
- 335344
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 33, Issue 6; Other Information: PBD: 15 Mar 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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