Uptake of naturally occurring radioisotopes by vegetation in a region of high radioactivity

Abstract

The accumulation of four naturally occurring radionuclides of the 238U series, uranium, 226Ra, 210Pb and 210Po, in 15 species of native plants was investigated. Of the plants sampled some accumulated, but none concentrated uranium or 226Ra. Grouseberry (Vaccinium scoparium Leiberg) appeared to concentrate 210Pb and 210Po. There were marked seasonal variations in the accumulation of uranium by grass (Calamagrostis rubescens Buckl.), and of 210Pb and 210Po by grass and fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium L.). High positive correlations between soil and vegetation radionuclide content were found for uranium in fireweed and grouseberry in spring, 226Ra in willow (Salix scouleriana L.) in spring, and uranium in fireweed in summer.