Effects of chemical climate on soil depth distribution and plant uptake of radiocaesium in forest ecosystems

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to study the impact of chemical climate (i.e. the chemical composition of precipitation) on radioactive caesium in soil and plants. This was done through field studies and a laboratory experiment. Three types of precipitation regimes were considered in both cases, representing a natural range found in Norway: Acidic precipitation (southernmost part of the country); precipitation rich in marine cations (coastal areas); and low concentrations of sea salts (inland areas). Results indicate that acid rain increases the mobility and the plant availability of radioactive caesium. © 2011 EDP Sciences.