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Transfer analysis of 210Po and 210Pb in the terrestrial environment

Persson, Bertil R LU orcid (2013) In Acta Scientiarum Lundensia 2013(002). p.1-42
Abstract
The transfer of 210Po and 210Pb between various compartments in the terrestrial environment has been analysed by using various published data.

The average activity concentration of 210Po in soil is 61 ± 14 Bq.kg-1 d.w. with a median (50%) value of 44 Bq.kg-1 d.w. Ground water concentrations of 210Po in drilled wells might be as high as 6.5 Bq/l. But in regular drinking water it is just about 3-5 mBq/l.

The uptake of radionuclides from soil to plant is usually given as the ratio of radionuclide activity concentration per unit mass concentrations (Bq.kg-1 dry w.) of plant (ACplant ) and soil (ACsoil ) respectively. This ratio is called the soil tranfer factor STF = ACplant / ACsoil. The soil transfer factor vaires widely... (More)
The transfer of 210Po and 210Pb between various compartments in the terrestrial environment has been analysed by using various published data.

The average activity concentration of 210Po in soil is 61 ± 14 Bq.kg-1 d.w. with a median (50%) value of 44 Bq.kg-1 d.w. Ground water concentrations of 210Po in drilled wells might be as high as 6.5 Bq/l. But in regular drinking water it is just about 3-5 mBq/l.

The uptake of radionuclides from soil to plant is usually given as the ratio of radionuclide activity concentration per unit mass concentrations (Bq.kg-1 dry w.) of plant (ACplant ) and soil (ACsoil ) respectively. This ratio is called the soil tranfer factor STF = ACplant / ACsoil. The soil transfer factor vaires widely beween various types of crops with an average about 0.056±0.003.

Mean annual deposition and activity concentrations (mBq.l-1) of 210Pb 210Po and in rainwater varies with latitudes (0N to 0S) with longitudes (0W. 0E). Between latitudes 20 and 60 0N a linear relation between the yje activity concentration of 210Pb was found: A(210Pb) = 2.17 * (ON) - 22.2 (mBq.l-1). Lichens (Cladonia alpestris) collected at was used as a model for studying the sorpition and retention of atmospheric deposition in plants and the upper layer of soil.

The atmospheric deposition of 210Pb and 210Po. however. also affect the activity concentrations in leafy plants. By comparing the activity concentrations in plants grown on an open field with those grown on a field sheltered by a polyethylene tent it has been possible to estimate a deposition transfer factor : DTF= Difference of the activity concentration in plants grown in open field (Deposition+Soil “ACDS”) and tent shelter (Soil “ACS”) respectively. divided by the atmospheric deposition “AD” during the vegetation period (Bq.m-2). The deposition transfer factor for 210Pb thus estimated is in the order of 0.5-1 (m2.Bq-1) for leafy plants like grass and 0.1-0.5 for less leafy plant and straw. For various grains it is < 0.2 (Barley grains 0.2; wheat grains <0.001.). For root fruits it is < 0.003 ( red beet 0.003; potatoes <0.001). Corresponding values for 210Po are about a factor 3 higher. The fraction of 210Pb firmly incorporated into the plant is about 82±20 % for atmospheric deposited 210Pb and 60±20 % for 210Pb taken up from soil.

A few studies have been performed to quantitatively study the transfer of the natural radionuclides 210Pb and 210Po from fodder to milk. The activity concentration ratios between milk and various types of forage was estimated to 1.4±0.7 for 210Pb and 0.41±0.09 for 210Po. By assuming a daily food intake of 16 kg dry matter per day the transfer coefficient Fm. that describes the fraction of the daily intake of radionuclides that is secreted per litre of milk has been estimated from these studies. The transfer coefficient Fm for 210Pb thus obtained is 0.01±0.008 d.l-1 and for 210Po 0.003 ± 0.0007 d.l-1. These values are about 30 and 15 times higher than those estimated by IAEA for the elements respectively. (Less)
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author
organization
publishing date
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Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
210Pb, 210Po, terrestrial environment, Transfer
in
Acta Scientiarum Lundensia
volume
2013
issue
002
pages
1 - 42
publisher
Bertil RR Persson, Medical Radiation Physics, 22185 Lund, Sweden
ISSN
1651-5013
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
4d8ff6b8-b092-4fb2-b803-359b8d20a1d3 (old id 8232913)
alternative location
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bertil_Persson
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 13:34:01
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:17:30
@article{4d8ff6b8-b092-4fb2-b803-359b8d20a1d3,
  abstract     = {{The transfer of 210Po and 210Pb between various compartments in the terrestrial environment has been analysed by using various published data. <br/><br>
The average activity concentration of 210Po in soil is 61 ± 14 Bq.kg-1 d.w. with a median (50%) value of 44 Bq.kg-1 d.w. Ground water concentrations of 210Po in drilled wells might be as high as 6.5 Bq/l. But in regular drinking water it is just about 3-5 mBq/l. <br/><br>
The uptake of radionuclides from soil to plant is usually given as the ratio of radionuclide activity concentration per unit mass concentrations (Bq.kg-1 dry w.) of plant (ACplant ) and soil (ACsoil ) respectively. This ratio is called the soil tranfer factor STF = ACplant / ACsoil. The soil transfer factor vaires widely beween various types of crops with an average about 0.056±0.003. <br/><br>
Mean annual deposition and activity concentrations (mBq.l-1) of 210Pb 210Po and in rainwater varies with latitudes (0N to 0S) with longitudes (0W. 0E). Between latitudes 20 and 60 0N a linear relation between the yje activity concentration of 210Pb was found: A(210Pb) = 2.17 * (ON) - 22.2 (mBq.l-1). Lichens (Cladonia alpestris) collected at was used as a model for studying the sorpition and retention of atmospheric deposition in plants and the upper layer of soil. <br/><br>
The atmospheric deposition of 210Pb and 210Po. however. also affect the activity concentrations in leafy plants. By comparing the activity concentrations in plants grown on an open field with those grown on a field sheltered by a polyethylene tent it has been possible to estimate a deposition transfer factor : DTF= Difference of the activity concentration in plants grown in open field (Deposition+Soil “ACDS”) and tent shelter (Soil “ACS”) respectively. divided by the atmospheric deposition “AD” during the vegetation period (Bq.m-2). The deposition transfer factor for 210Pb thus estimated is in the order of 0.5-1 (m2.Bq-1) for leafy plants like grass and 0.1-0.5 for less leafy plant and straw. For various grains it is &lt; 0.2 (Barley grains 0.2; wheat grains &lt;0.001.). For root fruits it is &lt; 0.003 ( red beet 0.003; potatoes &lt;0.001). Corresponding values for 210Po are about a factor 3 higher. The fraction of 210Pb firmly incorporated into the plant is about 82±20 % for atmospheric deposited 210Pb and 60±20 % for 210Pb taken up from soil.<br/><br>
A few studies have been performed to quantitatively study the transfer of the natural radionuclides 210Pb and 210Po from fodder to milk. The activity concentration ratios between milk and various types of forage was estimated to 1.4±0.7 for 210Pb and 0.41±0.09 for 210Po. By assuming a daily food intake of 16 kg dry matter per day the transfer coefficient Fm. that describes the fraction of the daily intake of radionuclides that is secreted per litre of milk has been estimated from these studies. The transfer coefficient Fm for 210Pb thus obtained is 0.01±0.008 d.l-1 and for 210Po 0.003 ± 0.0007 d.l-1. These values are about 30 and 15 times higher than those estimated by IAEA for the elements respectively.}},
  author       = {{Persson, Bertil R}},
  issn         = {{1651-5013}},
  keywords     = {{210Pb; 210Po; terrestrial environment; Transfer}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{002}},
  pages        = {{1--42}},
  publisher    = {{Bertil RR Persson, Medical Radiation Physics, 22185 Lund, Sweden}},
  series       = {{Acta Scientiarum Lundensia}},
  title        = {{Transfer analysis of 210Po and 210Pb in the terrestrial environment}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/3451310/8232914.pdf}},
  volume       = {{2013}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}