⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs Accumulation in Plants in the Area of Radiation Accidents

Abstract

An investigation of radioactive contamination of soil, crops, vegetables, feed, grass of hayfields and pastures, wild berries, and mushrooms as a result of radioactive contamination due to operation of radiochemical plant, Production Association (PA) “Mayak,” was carried out on the territory of northeastern part of Chelyabinsk region in 2006–2012. ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs content in the agricultural products and wild mushrooms in the whole territory of 30–35 km from PA “Mayak” did not exceed maximum permissible level and was not dangerous for the population. ⁹⁰Sr accumulation in wild berries and grass of hayfield and pastures on the territory of East-Ural radioactive trace did not exceed the radiological sanitary limits which could be dangerous for the population and farm animals. On the rest of the territory, both berries and grass were non-contaminated. The accumulation coefficients of ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs in agricultural products and wild plants and mushrooms vary significantly. The highest values of the accumulation coefficients, sometimes >1, were found for grass of hayfields and pastures. Among agricultural plants, the highest values of the accumulation coefficients were found for carrot, Sudan grass, and corn, whereas the lowest values were found for cabbage, beetroot, and potato. The accumulation coefficients of the radionuclides found for vegetables from private farmers were lower than the ones from large agricultural plant. A content of ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs in soil in an easy accessible form for the plants depends on the soil humidity and may vary significantly. ⁹⁰Sr deposited in soil is transferred into soil solution as ionic species. ¹³⁷Cs in soil solution is present as colloidal species.