Factors influencing the soil to plant transfer of radiocaesium

Abstract

Radiocaesium isotopes are among the long-lived radionuclides which were released in largest quantities into the environment as a consequence of the atmospheric nuclear weapon tests and accidents involving nuclear material (Chernobyl and Fukushima, etc.). Its transfer to plants, especially those for human or animal food, can be a major pathway for human intake and, therefore, have a significant radiological impact. There are many factors that can affect the radiocaesium transfer to plants, which are reviewed in this chapter, such as the considered plant species, its habitat, climatic conditions, type of soil (clay content, physico-chemical characteristics, organic matter, use of amendments, etc.).