Studies of 137cs transfer in soil‐fern system

Abstract

Abstract Fern accumulates radionuclides in abundance, including 137Cs. Tranfer of 137Cs and 40K in plants which have different root systems (fern or grass), or have no roots at all (moss) was compared. Samplings were performed in regions contaminated with 137Cs after Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) accident in 1994 and 1997–2000. The male fern (Dryopteris filix‐mas) most prevailing in Lithuania was studied. Fern accumulates 137Cs more effectively than grass or moss. The average 137Cs activity concentration in fern is 180±60 Bq kg−1 and the transfer factor is 0,074 m2kg−1. The fern stipe accumulates 137Cs most of all (200±90 Bqkg‐1), the transfer factor is 0,087 m2 kg−1. Accumulation of 137Cs is influenced by the content of K in the soil. 137Cs and 40K activity concentrations in fern are higher than those in the soil what shows that fern accumulates 137Cs better than 40K. Fern can clean the soil because this plant accumulates radionuclides in its stipe rather than roots.