Uptake of radioactive substances by the leaves of strawberry plants and grapevines [Switzerland]
1996
Zehnder, H.-J. (Eidg. Forschungsanstalt fuer Obst-, Wein- und Gartenbau (FAW), Waedenswil (Switzerland)) | Kopp, P. | Eikenberg, J. | Feller, U. | Oertli, J.J.
Radioactive strontium in the form of an aqueous solution of 85SrCl2 was taken up by the leaves of strawberry plants and grapevines at different rates. Only a limited amount was transported from the contaminated leaves into other plant organs. However, no strontium was found in the fruit. In contrast, radioactive cesium applied as an aqueous solution of 134CsCl was taken up very quickly from the leaf surface, transported from there to other plant parts, and released to some extent into the soil via the roots. In our investigations strawberry fruits showed a high cesium content. The cesium content in grapes rose during growth and decreased again in a late phase of maturation, and the nuclide was partly redistributed to other plant parts. Cesium reaching the soil may interact with clay particles, resulting in a very limited availability for plants. First results of investigations with grapevines in hydroculture have shown a close relationship between potassium supply and cesium release. The foliar uptake of radioactive strontium into plants is minor and represents therefore a negligible risk for the consumer of fruits. Radioactive cesium may, however, reach the human food chain through the leaves of food plants
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