Transfer factors of 137Cs, 90Sr and 40K from soil to pine needles on Jeju Island, Korea

Abstract

The transfer factor (TF) is used as an important tool during environmental impact assessments. In this study, the transfer factor from soil to pine needles for radionuclides is estimated on Jeju Island, Korea. The properties of most soil of Jeju Island are those of volcanic ash soil. The activity concentrations of 137Cs, 90Sr and 40K (Bq kg−1-dry weight) have range of in soils < 1.22–38.7, 0.283–7.00 and 267–370, in pine needles 0.0798–0.289, 5.16–17.4 and 104–195. The TF (10−3 m2 kg−1-dry weight) of 137Cs, 90Sr and 40K from soil to pine needles are in the ranges of 0.0163–0.463, 8.25–51.8 and 0.633–1.91, respectively.