Sequestration of 137Cs and 90Sr from soil by seedlings of Eucalyptustereticotnis

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Abstract
The ability of seedlings of Eucalyptustereticornis Smith to accumulate 137Cs and 90Sr, characteristic radioisotopes of nuclear fallout, from contaminated growth medium was tested. All seedlings were grown for 3 months in 165 cm3 of sphagnum peat moss–perlite (1:1 v/v) in a growth chamber before treatment with an isotope. After 1 month of exposure, seedlings had accumulated 31.0% of the 137Cs and 11.3% of the 90Sr originally present in the growth medium, with bioconcentration ratios of 54:1 for 137Cs and 13:1 for 90Sr. Accumulation of 137Cs and 90Sr in plant tissue was correlated curvilinearly with increasing time of exposure and with increasing concentration of radioisotope in the growth medium. Because seedlings of E. tereticornis accumulate these radioisotopes rapidly, they may be valuable in remediation of contaminated soils.

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