Interception and transfer of wet-deposited 134Cs to potato foliage and tubers. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosén, K.; Vinichuk, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental radioactivity. Volume 151:Part 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 224
• Page End: 232
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Radiocesium -- Potatoes -- Foliage -- Tubers -- Deposition; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radiation, Background -- Periodicals; Radioecology -- Periodicals; Radioactive pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactive Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radioécologie -- Périodiques; Pollution radioactive -- Périodiques; Fond de rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.10.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-931X

Abstract

Abstract: Contamination levels on potato foliage and tubers were investigated by repeated sampling after multiple foliar contaminations of wet-deposited 134 Cs at five different growth stages in a micro-plot field experiment in three successive years. Application of the radionuclide early in the growing season (deposition date 19–27 June, growth stage II = plant establishment) resulted in low 134 Cs activity concentration in potato tubers across sampling occasions (mean 60, 25 and 115 Bq kg −1 dry weight (D.W.) for years 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Following radionuclide deposition in the middle of the growing season (15–24 July, growth stage III = tuber initiation), 134 Cs activity concentration in tubers across sampling occasions was found to be highest (mean 150, 850 and 660 Bq kg −1 D.W. for years 1, 2 and 3, respectively). When the radionuclide was sprayed on at later stages (5–7 August, growth stage IV = tuber bulking), 134 Cs activity concentrations in tubers across sampling dates decreased (mean 75, 310 and 395 Bq kg −1 D.W. for years 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Deposition in the second half of August (15–28 August, late growth stage IV and beginning of growth stage V = tuber maturation) resulted in yet lower 134 Cs activity concentration in tubers. Potato tubers may concentrate as much as up to 2 times more 134 Cs than foliage depending on deposition date of radionuclide. Highlights: We examined foliar application of 134 Cs at different growth stages of potato. 134 Cs content in potato tubers depends on deposition and sampling date. Early and later deposition resulted in low 134 Cs content in potato tubers. Deposition in the middle of the season gives highest 134 Cs content in potato tubers.