Measurements on retention and transfer characteristics of radiocaesium from poor quality upland soils to heather and from heather to sheep

This study investigated the relationship between altitude and 137Cs fallout in soils and plants. The soils and plants, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea and Molinia caerulea, were sampled across a transect of two valleys in north-western Ireland. The results provided evidence that greater 137Cs deposition to soils occurred at higher altitudes, and the data supported the findings of a previous investigation in the same area. A valley effect, whereby greater concentrations of 137Cs accumulated in plants on the lower altitudes of the valley floors, was shown to be significant. Deposition values for total 137Cs in soils were not correlated with plant concentrations, although a relationship between concentrations in C. vulgaris and M. caerulea was found to be statistically significant. No relationship was observed between the 137Cs from weapons fallout with that of Chernobyl origin in the 0-10 cm depth soils, although a significant correlation emerged between the same two components measured in C. vulgaris. The results suggest that existing definitions of concentration ratios and transfer factors are, for many reasons, inappropriate for studies of soil to plant transfer of 137Cs in peatland ecosystems.

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Measurements on retention and transfer characteristics of radiocaesium from poor quality upland soils to heather and from heather to sheep

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

Measurement of radiocesium in Irish peatland soils

Measurement of radiocesium in Irish peatland soils

Radionuclides in grassland, heath, mire and mountain ecosystems

Effects of topography on caesium-137 in montane peat soils and vegetation

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