Accumulation of wet-deposited radiocaesium and radiostrontium by spring oilseed rape (Brássica napus L.) and spring wheat (Tríticum aestívum L.)

Abstract

The accumulation of 134Cs and 85Sr within different parts of spring oilseed rape and spring wheat plants was investigated, with a particular focus on transfer to seeds after artificial wet deposition at different growth stages during a two-year field trial. In general, the accumulation of radionuclides in plant parts increased when deposition was closer to harvest. The seed of spring oilseed rape had lower concentrations of 85Sr than spring wheat grain. The plants accumulated more 134Cs than 85Sr. We conclude that radionuclides can be transferred into human food chain at all growing stages, especially at the later stages. The variation in transfer factors during the investigation, and in comparison to previous results, implies the estimation of the risks for possible transfer of radionuclides to seeds in the events of future fallout during a growing season is still subjected to considerable uncertainty.

Keywords

Concentration; Radionuclide; Transfer factor; Translocation factor

Published in

Environmental Pollution
2013, volume: 182, pages: 335-342
Publisher: Elsevier

SLU Authors

• Bengtsson, Stefan

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Eriksson, Jan

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Gärdenäs, Annemieke

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Rosén, Klas

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences
Agricultural Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.07.035

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/51875