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oa Soil-to-Plant Transfer of 137Cs in Forest Ecosystems: A Case Study from the Drevlyansky Nature Reserve
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 18th International Conference Monitoring of Geological Processes and Ecological Condition of the Environment, Apr 2025, Volume 2025, p.1 - 5
Abstract
The soil-to-plant transfer factor (TF) of radionuclides, particularly 137Cs, is a critical parameter in assessing radioecological risks and environmental safety. This study examines the uptake of 137Cs in forest ecosystems within the Drevlyansky Nature Reserve, a region contaminated by radionuclides following the Chornobyl accident. The research evaluates how soil properties, moisture levels, and vegetation types influence the accumulation of 137Cs in different plant species.
Vegetation and soil samples were collected from three pine forest sub-types (A1, A2, A3), and radionuclide concentrations were measured using spectrometric methods. Transfer factors (TF) and accumulation coefficients (AC) were calculated for key plant species, including Dicranum polysetum Sw., Festuca ovina L., Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., and Calluna vulgaris L. Statistical analysis, including one-factor ANOVA, determined significant differences in 137Cs uptake between species and forest types. The results indicate that moss species exhibit the highest accumulation of 137Cs, while some vascular plants show lower uptake.
These findings contribute to understanding radionuclide mobility in forest ecosystems and support the development of monitoring strategies and mitigation measures for contaminated areas.