title: Radionuclide (226Ra,232Th,40K) accumulation among plant species in mangrove ecosystems of Pattani Bay, Thailand.
abstract: Little is known regarding phytoremediation of radionuclides from soil; even less is known about radionuclide contamination and removal in tropical ecosystems such as mangrove forests. In mangrove forests in Pattani Bay, Thailand, 18 plant species from 17 genera were evaluated for radionuclide concentrations within selected plant parts. Two shrub species, Avicennia marina and Pluchea indica, accumulated the highest232Th (24.6Bqkg-1) and40K (220.7Bqkg-1) activity concentrations in roots, respectively. Furthermore, the aquatic species Typha angustifolia accumulated highest232Th,40K and226Ra activity concentrations (85.2, 363.5, 16.6Bqkg-1, respectively) with the highest transfer factors (TFs) (3.0, 2.0, 5.9, respectively) in leaves. Leaves of T. angustifolia had an absorbed dose rate in air (D) over the recommended value (74.8nGyh-1) that was considered sufficiently high to be of concern for human consumption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University Pattani Campus, Pattani 94000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pungtip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaewtubtim
authors.affiliation: Mahidol University, Nakhonsawan Campus, Nakhonsawan 60130, Thailand. Electronic address: phytoplankton8@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Weeradej
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meeinkuirt
authors.affiliation: Department of Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University Pattani Campus, Pattani 94000, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sumalee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seepom
authors.affiliation: Ball State University, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Muncie, IN 47306, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pichtel
mesh_terms: D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D032407:Avicennia / Q000737:chemistry*; D061006:Bays; D017753:Ecosystem; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D013785:Thailand; D032401:Typhaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes
keywords: Mangrove; Pattani Bay; Phytostabilization; Radiological hazard index; Radionuclide; Transfer factor