Estimation of 137Cs plant root uptake using naturally existing 133Cs

Abstract

In order to estimate soil-to-plant transfer factors (TFs) of 137Cs using naturally existing 133Cs, 137Cs concentrations and some soil properties were measured in various crops and associated soils collected throughout Japan. Plants absorb elements in a plant-available fraction; because 133Cs is likely to behave similarly to K, exchangeable 133Cs (ex.133Cs), which is thought to be plant-available, was estimated using the exchangeable K (ex.K) amount. For brown rice, a high correlation was observed between TF of 137Cs and the ratio of concentrations of 133Cs in rice to ex.133Cs. Thus, TF of 137Cs was estimated using four concentrations, i.e. 133Cs in soil, 133Cs in rice, K in soil, and ex.K. © 2008 Atomic Energy Society of Japan. All Rights Reserved.