Assessment of the role of soil adhesion in the transfer of 137Cs and 40K to pasture grass.
137Cs and 40K were analyzed in pasture grass and soils throughout a 12-month period. The titanium content of the samples was determined as a marker of soil contamination of the grass samples. The 137Cs activity concentration in the grass was closely correlated with titanium and both increase in the winter months suggesting that increased soil contamination of grass is responsible for the increased 137Cs activity concentration observed at this time. The method greatly overestimates the contribution made by soil to the 137Cs activity concentrations of the grass samples and the results are highly variable. Some problems associated with the method are discussed and it is proposed that this method is unreliable.
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, Dublin.
B
B
Rafferty
D E
DE
Dawson
P A
PA
Colgan
D000268:Adhesiveness; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants