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.
Highlights
In 1986, due to meteorological and synoptic factors after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) accident, Lithuania occurred directly in the path of polluted air masses coming from Chernobyl
Activity concentration of 137Cs and 40K was measured in different parts of fern plants: in pinnae, stipes, rhizome and small roots
It is obvious that 137Cs activity concentration of fern is significantly higher than that of grass or moss
Summary
In 1986, due to meteorological and synoptic factors after the ChNPP accident, Lithuania occurred directly in the path of polluted air masses coming from Chernobyl. According to airborne measurements from 1987, 137Cs pollution density caused mainly by dry fallout ranged from 7,4×102 to 3,0×104 Bq m2. Polluted spots ranging from a few square meters to a few square kilometers were found. South-western and western regions of Lithuania as well as the Curonian Spit were polluted most of all. After the Chernobyl accident 137Cs fallout was mainly accumulated in areas where fallout had been registered previously due to nuclear explosions, near hills, on the outskirts, near lakes, etc [1]. Because of its long half-life and chemical-biochemical similarity with K, 137Cs is one of the most important radionuclides released into the environment, especially after the ChNPP accident, after the short-lived radionuclide decay [2]
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