Plutonium in Biota from an East Tennessee Floodplain Forest

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Abstract
239Pu and 240Pu concentrations were measured in biota from a 30 yr old contaminated floodplain forest in Tennessee [USA]. Concentration ratios relative to soil, for Pu in litter, invertebrate cryptozoans, herbaceous ground vegetation, orthoptera and small mammals were approximately 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 and 10-4, respectively. Concentration ratios (CR) for Pu in biota from the floodplain forest are less than CR values from other contaminated ecosystems in the USA. Presumably, this is due to CR values from other contaminated ecosystems in the USA. Presumably, this is due to humid conditions and greater rainfall which minimize resuspension as a physical transport mechanism to biota. Pu and radiocesium concentrations are correlated in biota from the forest at Oak Ridge and also from Mortandad Canyon in New Mexico. The cause of the covariance between concentrations of these elements is unknown. It is possible to predict Pu in biota from radiocesium concentrations when both nuclides have a common origin and occur together in a contaminated terrestrial environment.

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