Evaluation of biomonitor for thorium and uranium applying the k0-method of neutron activation analysis at the Nuclear Technology Development Centre, Brazil

An assessment was carried out at Nuclear Technology Development Centre to evaluate the capacity of the plant species Epipremnum pinnatum to uptake, translocate and accumulate Th and U. The experiments were conducted under controlled conditions in a greenhouse, using cultivation in soil from uranium mine and cultivation in nutrient solution (hydroponic technique) using standards of the elements of interest. The plant species was analysed by Neutron Activation , k 0 standardization method. The ANOVA test, R software and Tukey’s correction were applied, the results of which showed that the candidate biomonitor plant presented good Th and U uptake in both experiments, indicating a preference for accumulate in the roots.