Lichens and mosses: Biological monitors of radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl reactor accident

Abstract

In the aftermath of the Chernobyl reactor accident, the radioactivity in lichens and mosses has been studied. 137Cs concentrations ranged from about 1070 to 14 560 Bq kg-1 in lichens and from 270 to 4750 Bq kg-1 in mosses. Besides the cesium isotopes, some other relatively long-lived fission nuclides, such as 106Ru, 144Ce, 125Sb, and the 110mAg produced by neutron activation were detected and measured. The present data set supports the view that these nonvascular plants can be useful biological monitors of radioactive fallout from not only nuclear weapon tests but also accidents at any nuclear facilities. © 1989.