Processes controlling the activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in the water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) soil: experimental and modelling studies
摘要
This study investigated the mitigation of naturally occurring radionuclides (NORs) in cultivated soil. Processes of vertical leaching and plant uptake were considered. A laboratory experiment was conducted on water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) soils. The average solid–liquid partition coefficients (Kd) of 238U (KdU), 226Ra (KdRa), and 210Po (KdPo) are 4815, 3354 and 2379 L kg−1, respectively. The average soil-to-plant transfer factor (TF) of gross alpha (TFalpha), 238U (TFU), 226Ra (TFRa) and 210Po (TFPo) are 0.048, 0.068, 0.099 and 0.164, respectively. Both Kd and TF of the radionuclides correlate with the soil organic matter (OM) content. For long-lived radionuclides (e.g., 238U and 226Ra), vertical leaching in soil and transfer to plants are major processes. In contrast, for short-lived radionuclides (e.g., 210Po), the radioactive decay is more important.