SREL Reprint #0453
Radiocesium
Levels in Vegetation Colonizing a Contaminated Floodplain
Charles T.
Garten, Jr., Linda A. Briese, Richard A. Geiger, Rebecca R. Sharitz,
Abstract
Radiocesium concentrations in herbaceous and woody plants inhabiting a
floodplain contaminated by nuclear production reactor effluents were measured.
Leaves and stems of herbaceous plants (Andropogon sp. and Scirpus
cyperinus) contained higher concentrations of radiocesium than those of
woody plants (Alnus serraluta, Myrice cerifera, and
Salix nigra). Andropogon and Alnus fruits had higher
concentrations than the leaves or stems. Radiocesium
concentrations in fruits and leaves were significantly correlated with stem
radiocesium levels in some or all of the species sampled.
Mean radiocesium levels in the plant parts exceeded mean soil
concentrations; this indicates concentration of radiocesium by the vegetation.
SREL Reprint #0453
Garten, C.T., Jr., L.A. Briese, R.A. Geiger, R.R. Sharitz,
and M.H. Smith. 1975. Radiocesium levels in vegetation
colonizing a contaminated floodplain. p. 489-497. In Mineral
Cycling in Southeastern Ecosystems, edited by F.G. Howell, J.B. Gentry, and M.H. Smith. ERDA Symposium Series.
CONF 740513.
