Visualization of the initial radiocesium dynamics after penetration in living apple trees with bark removal using a positron-emitting 127Cs tracer

Abstract

Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011, radiocesium (rCs) contamination in deciduous trees remains over 10 years later even though the trees were leafless at the time of the accident. This phenomenon is considered to be the result of repeated retranslocation of rCs that initially penetrated the bark into the internal tissues. To implement effective measures after a possible accident in the future, it is necessary to clarify how rCs is translocated in the tree after penetration. In this study, rCs translocation was dynamically visualized using a positron-emitting tracer imaging system (PETIS) and autoradiography after the bark of apple branches was removed. The PETIS results showed the translocation of 127Cs from the branch to young shoots and the main stem in apple trees under controlled spring growing conditions. The transport velocity of rCs in the branch was faster than that in the main stem. The transport of rCs, which was either acropetal or basipetal, in the main stem through the branch junction favored basipetal movement. Autoradiography of transverse sections of the main stem indicated that basipetal translocation was due to transport in the phloem. This study demonstrated the initial translocation responses of rCs similar to previous field research, which indicates that rCs transport to the young shoots tends to be higher under controlled conditions. Our laboratory-based experimental system may be useful to gain an improved understanding of rCs dynamics in deciduous trees.