Uptake of Radioactive Fission Products by Crop Plants

The uptake of several radioactive fission products from contaminated soils by crop plants through the root system, the distribution of the absorbed radioisotopes within plants, and some factors that modify the uptake and distribution of these radioisotopes in plants are discussed. The relative order of magnitude of uptake of fission products by plants appeared to be Sr/sup 89,// sup 90/ >> I/sup 131/ > Ba/sup 140/ >s > Cs/sup 137/, Ru/sup 106/> Ce/sup 144/, Y/ sup 91/, Pm/sup 147/, Zr/sup 95/-Nb/sup 95/. There were considerab le differences in uptake among different plant species and conditions of growth. Accumulation of each of the fission products studied was greatest in leaves, but comparatively low in seeds, fruits, or edible roots. Fission product contents of plants may be altered by certain soil management practices such as cultivation, fertilization, and organic matter application. (auth)