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Element interactions and soil properties affecting the soil-to-plant transfer of six elements relevant to radioactive waste in boreal forest

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Abstract

Cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), uranium (U), and zinc (Zn) are among the elements that have radioactive isotopes in radioactive waste. Soil-to-plant transfer is a key process for possible adverse effects if these radionuclides are accidentally released into the environment. The present study aimed at investigating factors affecting such transfer in boreal forest. The plant species studied were blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), May lily (Maianthemum bifolium), narrow buckler fern (Dryopteris carthusiana), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and Norway spruce (Picea abies). Regression analyses were carried out to investigate the effects of the chemical composition and physical properties of soil on the soil-to-leaf/needle concentration ratios of Co, Mo, Ni, Pb, U and Zn. Soil potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) concentrations were the most important factors affecting the soil-to-plant transfer of the elements studied. Soil clay and organic matter contents were found to significantly affect plant uptake of Mo, Pb and U. Knowledge of the effects of these factors is helpful for interpretation of the predictions of radioecological models describing soil-to-plant transfer and for improving such models.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by a grant from State Nuclear Waste Fund (KYT-2010 Programme) and by a grant from Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation. P. Roivainen was additionally supported by the Finnish Doctoral Programme in Environmental Science and Technology (EnSTe).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Päivi Roivainen, Sari Makkonen, Toini Holopainen & Jukka Juutilainen

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  1. Päivi Roivainen
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  2. Sari Makkonen
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Correspondence to Päivi Roivainen.

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Roivainen, P., Makkonen, S., Holopainen, T. et al. Element interactions and soil properties affecting the soil-to-plant transfer of six elements relevant to radioactive waste in boreal forest. Radiat Environ Biophys 51, 69–78 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-011-0393-6

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