Evaluation of main factors influencing 137cs transfer from soil to the tree

Abstract

The analysis of radionuclide specific activities in soil under the pine and birch is given in the article. Data on radionuclide penetration into the pine and birch and accumulation in the annual rings and other components of these trees are also presented. The work presents research results and analysis about the distribution of radionuclide 137Cs in the biomass of trees as well as regularities of radionuclide migration in the system „soil-tree“. The dependence of the radionuclide accumulation in the tree on its age was established when estimating the radionuclide accumulation in the forest ecosystem. Roots of the plant are spread differently depending on the profile of soil. It is established that roots of younger plants penetrate very deep and they take nutrients, essential for their vital functions, from deeper soil layers (0.5–1.2 m). The main mass of roots (about 60–70%) of mature plants (Pinus sylvestris, Betula pendula) lies in the 20–60 cm layer. [...].