Soil–plant transfer of plutonium and americium in contaminated regions of Belarus after the Chernobyl catastrophe

Abstract

Experimental data are presented for the soil to plant transfer of plutonium and americium into the main species of grass vegetation of Belarusian grasslands contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl catastrophe of 1986. The content of radionuclides in pore soil solutions and the total reserve of biologically available forms of plutonium and americium in rooting layers of different soil varieties have been established. The distribution coefficients of (239,240)Pu and 241Am between the solid phase and pore waters of soils have been evaluated. The migration ability and biological availability of radionuclides in soils with different structures of the absorbing complex have been analyzed for various landscape conditions. The dependence of soil to plant transfer of plutonium and americium on the content and composition of organic matter, and other characteristics of the soil complex has been studied. On the basis of these data, predictions of the contamination levels of the main grass species of natural and agricultural ecosystems by 241Am are presented.

A Fully Transient Model for Long‐Term Plutonium Transport in the Savannah River Site Vadose Zone: Root Water Uptake

“…This indicates the existence of another mechanism in the lysimeter system that caused the observed upward movement of Pu. In fact, there are studies in the literature indicating small amounts of Pu uptake and translocation by plants (Sokolik et al, 2004; Lee et al, 2002a,b; Sanford et al, 1998; Pinder et al, 1990; Adriano et al, 1986; Whicker et al, 1999; Garland et al, 1981; Cataldo et al, 1988). Thus, it is probable that the observed Pu movement toward the surface in very low concentrations is the result of dissolved Pu uptake by the roots and translocation in the transpiration stream.…”

137Cs, 239,240Pu and 241Am in bottom sediments and surface water of Lake Päijänne, Finland

“…According to Sokolik et al (2004) an increase in the amount of soluble organic matter favors the mobility of americium and plutonium in soil. According to another study of Sokolik et al (2002) plutonium and americium species in soil solutions have different electrical charges compared to each other, which results in different migration ability of these radionuclides.…”

Radioactive contamination in the Belarusian sector of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

“…[3,4]) there were significant uncertainties associated with maps of radionuclide distributions within the territory of PSRER and simulating the dynamics of radionuclide migration within the territory and in relation to trans-boundary transport to other regions.…”