HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Romney, E. M. Articles by Rhoads, W. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Romney, E. M. Articles by Rhoads, W. A. Agricola Articles by Romney, E. M. Articles by Rhoads, W. A.

Neutron Activation Products from Project Sedan in Plants and Soils¹

ABSTRACT

Neutron activation products of tungsten, scandium, and antimony were among those radionuclides concentrated through roots of plants grown on ejecta from the Sedan thermonuclear cratering detonation. Nuclear reactor-produced isotopes were used in corroborative experiments to investigate, in greater detail, their behavior in plants and soils. Radiotantalum was also included as a matter of academic interest.

Plants concentrated more Sc⁴⁶, Sb¹²⁴, and W¹⁸⁵ in leaves than in stems, whereas Ta¹⁸² was concentrated more in stems. Plant uptake of Sc⁴⁶, Sb¹²⁴, and W¹⁸⁵ was Influenced by different types of soil. Scandium-46 and Ta¹⁸² were virtually immobile in columns of soil leached with 76 cm of water while Sb¹²⁴ and W¹⁸⁶ moved readily in neutral and alkaline soil, but not in acidic soil. Their behavior was influenced by the kind of clay mineral present, the sodium and potassium content, and the soil pH.

¹ Contribution from the Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Biology, University of California, Los Angeles. This study was conducted under Contract AT(04-1) GEN-12 between the Atomic Energy Commission and the University of California.

² Research Soil Scientist and Associate Research Plant Physiologist, respectively.

Received for publication May 5, 1966. Accepted for publication July 29, 1966.