Absorption of radiocaesium by sheep after ingestion of contaminated soils

Cooke, A.; Green, N.; Rimmer, D.; Weekes, T.; Wilkins, B.; Beresford, N.A.; Fenwick, J.. 1996 Absorption of radiocaesium by sheep after ingestion of contaminated soils. Science of the Total Environment, 192 (1). 21-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(96)05288-6

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Abstract/Summary

The absorption of 137Cs by sheep following ingestion of contaminated soil was studied using an established dual isotope method. Two agricultural soils were studied: an alluvial gley contaminated by discharges to the sea from the Sellafield Reprocessing Plant, and a lowland organic soil that had been artificially contaminated. Values of the true absorption coefficient of radiocaesium of 0.19 ± 0.03 and 0.03 ± 0.01, respectively, were obtained for these soils. This implies that availability of soil-associated radiocaesium for uptake following ingestion is up to about 20% of that when the activity is incorporated in vegetation. These results have been compared to estimates of availability made using an in-vitro approach described previously and found to be in good agreement. However, comparison with in-vitro data obtained for an upland peat indicated that absorption from some upland organic soils could be greater than from the lowland organic soil.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(96)05288-6
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Other
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	_ Pre-2000 sections
ISSN:	0048-9697
Additional Keywords:	radioecology, radiocaesium, absorption, soil ingestion, bioavailability
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	11 Jun 2012 09:04 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/17817

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