Kinetics of cesium-137 in wood ecosystem

Abstract

1 Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Zdravotně sociální fakulta, katedra radiologie a toxikologie 2 Státní úřad pro jadernou bezpečnost, Regionální centrum České Budějovice SummaryAfter the accident of the nuclear station of Tchernobyl in 1986, our territory was extensively contaminated with radioactive substances. Their deposition was determined by air streaming and particularly by precipitations supporting the wash of radionuclides from the atmosphere. From the point of view of long-term contamination, the most significant element is cesium-137. This element is absorbed both into human organism and into plants and trees. The contamination of wood with cesium-137 has been subject to interest of broad public recently. The researches carried out and the subsequent measuring of wood substance, bark and forest planting demonstrated contamination with cesium-137, but its values are relatively low and its impact on the health of our population is insignificant with regard to other sources of ionizing radiance.