Radioisotope 7Be, 210Pb, 137Cs and 40K in the needles of larch and cedar in the Novy Urengoy region (Arctic part of Western Siberia)

Abstract

Annual needles of larch and cedar were sampled in the tundra zone of the Arctic part of Western Siberia in order to determine 7Be, 210Pb, 137Cs and 40K specific activities. Higher concentrations of 137Cs and 40K in the needles of cedar relative to the needles of larch can be associated with a clear difference in the properties of accumulation and translocation of cesium and potassium among these species. Higher concentrations of 7Be and 210Pb in the needles of larch relative to cedar needles and close isotopic ratios (7Be/210Pb) are probably due to more efficient aerosol deposition on vegetative canopies of larch.