Abstract
Pinus sylvestris L., a fast-growing tree which adjusts easily to various soil and climatic conditions, was assessed for its use in revegetating radioactive waste disposal areas. Potted Scots pine seedlings, one-year-old, were exposed to five levels of radiation (from 1 to 3500 times background) under optimal conditions over one growing season. The needle growth, stem growth and total plant biomass of seedlings exposed to 0.0025, 0.009 and 0.078 mGy/hr showed no adverse effects. However, a dose rate of 7.0 mGy/hr severely impaired the seedling growth and the total biomass productivity. Fascicle needle length was found to be a more accurate indicator of injury than stem length or root or stem dry weight. Stimulation of both fascicle needle length and total biomass was observed in the seedlings exposed to 0.0025, 0.009 and 0.078 mGy/hr. Pinus sylvestris L. is an excellent choice for revegetating and reducing resuspension at radioactive tailings areas if the external gamma radiation dose rate is not greater than about 0.7 mGy/hr.
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