Root Uptake and Distribution of Radionuclides 134Cs and 60Co in Sunflower Plants (Helianthus annuus. L)

Abstract

Phytoremediation is the most common method to recover polluted environment caused by radionuclides. This study aims to determine the distribution of 134Cs and 60Co radionuclides in sunflower plants (Helianthus annuus. L). The sunflower plants were cultivated in soil media for 50 days, then transferred into a tube containing hydroponic solution contaminated by 134Cs and 60Co with variation of concentration of 134Cs (0.85 Bq/ml, 1.31 Bq/ml, 1.74 Bq/ml, 2.24 Bq/ml, 2.67 Bq/ml) and 60Co (4,213 Bq/ml, 8,537 Bq/ml, 12,187 Bq/ml). The distribution of radionuclides in roots, stems, leaves were observed using a gamma spectrometer to determine the accumulation of contaminants in plants. Samples were taken at varying intervals (0-720 hours) to determine the increased accumulation of contaminants in plants. The results showed that 134Cs and 60Co accumulated mostly in the leaf section. and the highest accumulation of 60Co was observed in the root section.