Plants and Radionuclides

Plutonium(VI) accumulation and reduction by lichen biomass: correlation with U(VI)

“…Lichens occur worldwide (Knops et al, 1991), and are just one example of a symbiotic association between fungi and plants. Many fungi are efficient accumulators of radionuclides and may form mycorrhizae with vascular plants (including many of the world's major crop plants), which may lead to radionuclide uptake by the vascular plant hosts (Shaw and Bell, 1994). Pu can be present as Pu(IV), Pu(V), and Pu(VI) in solution with lichen.…”

“…However, few studies have examined the biotic effects on the oxidation/reduction of Pu under atmospheric conditions. Lichens occur worldwide (Nash, 1996), and on account of their dominance in certain terrestrial ecosystems (especially arctic/antarctic tundra regions), play a major role in plant ecology and the cycling of some elements, such as C, N and P (Knops et al, 1991;Nash, 1996), and radionuclides (Shaw and Bell, 1994). The ability of lichens to accumulate metals has led to their use in monitoring Pu fallout from accidents e.g.…”

Bioremediation of Sr2+ ion radionuclide by using marine Streptomyces sp. CuOff24 extracellular polymeric substances

“…The important and high risk pollution of radionuclides released from nuclear sites, mining, nuclear weapon testing and rare nuclear disasters like the Chernobyl accident, Fukushima accident and global fallout and their consequent movement in the environ is a focus of extreme public concern and it has triggered much recent research work on the ecological fate of significant radionuclides . These radionuclides such as caesium ion (Cs + ) and strontium ion (Sr 2+ ) are extremely dangerous to human health as well as the environment, owing to their half‐life and the capability to transfer to living organisms through the food chain process .…”

Transfer factors of 134Cs to crops from Typic Haplustept under tropical region as influenced by potassium application

“…Soil contamination with radiocesium has a long-term radiological impact due to its long physical half-life (30 years for 137 Cs and 2 years for 134 Cs) and its high biological availability. Consumption of agricultural produce contaminated with radiocesium represents the principal route of human exposure to this radionuclide (Shaw and Bell, 1994;Nisbet and Woodman, 2000;Zhu and Shaw, 2000).…”