Depth Distribution of 137Cs in Anthrosol from the Experimental Field “Radmilovac” Near Belgrade, Serbia

Ivana Vukašinović,Aleksandar Đorđević,Vladimir B Pavlović,Dragana Todorović,Miloš B Rajković

doi:10.2478/10004-1254-64-2013-2276

Ivana Vukašinović, Aleksandar Đorđević + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-64-2013-2276

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Abstract

This is a preliminary study of the depth distribution of (137)Cs radionuclides in cultivated anthrosol soil of a 15-year old peach tree plantation at the experimental field "Radmilovac" near Belgrade. Before planting, the soil was ploughed at the depth of 1 m. The soil had not been annually ploughed, irrigated and treated with mineral fertilizers for three years before sampling. Activity concentration for (137)Cs ranged from 1.8 Bq kg(-1) to 35 Bq kg(-1). Along the soil depth it varied highly, reaching as high a total variation coefficient as 83 %. Radiocaesium distribution patterns depended on the extent of soil mixing in the plough layer, as it was mechanically transferred from the surface to the lower soil layers during cultivation. (137)Cs was associated with humus content and fixation to clay fractions in the soil. Our results single out soil's hygroscopic water as a valuable parameter for (137)Cs behaviour that could be used commonly if the measurement is standardised.

Highlights

This is a preliminary study of the depth distribution of 137Cs radionuclides in cultivated anthrosol soil of a 15-year old peach tree plantation at the experimental field “Radmilovac” near Belgrade
Radiocaesium distribution patterns depended on the extent of soil mixing in the plough layer, as it was mechanically transferred from the surface to the lower soil layers during cultivation. 137Cs was associated with humus content and fixation to clay fractions in the soil
Radiocaesium depth distribution in cultivated soils depends on the extent of mechanical manipulation of soil in the plough layer

Summary

Short communication

DEPTH DISTRIBUTION OF 137Cs IN ANTHROSOL FROM THE EXPERIMENTAL FIELD “RADMILOVAC”. Ivana VUKAŠINOVIĆ1, Dragana TODOROVIĆ2, Aleksandar ĐORĐEVIĆ1, Miloš B. Faculty of Agriculture, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Science, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia This is a preliminary study of the depth distribution of 137Cs radionuclides in cultivated anthrosol soil of a 15-year old peach tree plantation at the experimental field “Radmilovac” near Belgrade. Radiocaesium depth distribution in cultivated soils depends on the extent of mechanical manipulation of soil (such as tillage) in the plough layer. 40K is contained in mineral components of soil, and as it is distributed homogeneously within a soil horizon, it has been used as a reference nuclide to determine the behaviour of 137Cs in soil over time [4, 13] The aim of this preliminary study was to determine the activity of anthropogenic radiocaesium and its depth distribution in soil deeply transformed by cultivation. As radiounuclide content in every soil layer depends on soil properties, we wanted to investigate the impact of some main soil characteristics on 137Cs distribution in soil to better understand its behaviour in the environment

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Samples for gamma spectrometry were packed in

Soil properties