Effects of acute gamma irradiation on chemical, physical and biological properties of soils

McNamara, N.P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5143-5819; Black, H.I.J.; Beresford, N.A.; Parekh, N.R.. 2003 Effects of acute gamma irradiation on chemical, physical and biological properties of soils. Applied Soil Ecology, 24 (2). 117-132. 10.1016/S0929-1393(03)00073-8

Full text not available from this repository.

Official URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S...

Abstract/Summary

The use of gamma (-) irradiation as a method for soil sterilisation for laboratory experiments has been recommended over other sterilisation techniques.We reviewed literature dating back over 50 years to investigate the chemical and biological effects on -irradiated soils and to determine its practicality for sterilising soils which will subsequently be used for experimental purposes. Typically, -irradiation at 10 kGy will eliminate actinomycetes, fungi and invertebrates in most soils. The majority of soil bacteria are eliminated by 20 kGy, however, a dose higher than 70 kGy may be required to kill certain radio-resistant bacteria. We recommend prior to experimentation that the radiosensitivity of soils are determined so as to ensure the desired chemical and biological effects are achieved. -Irradiation may not be an appropriate method for all experiments as it can influence soil chemical properties, in particular soil nitrate and ammonium levels. Where chemical stability is required we recommend sterilising soils air-dry rather than moist.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/S0929-1393(03)00073-8
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry > SE01B Sustainable Monitoring, Risk Assessment and Management of Chemicals > SE01.4 Monitoring and predicting the distribution of chemicals in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	_ Environmental Chemistry & Pollution _ Ecological Processes in Freshwater & Soils
ISSN:	0929-1393
Additional Keywords:	radioecology
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	26 Apr 2012 10:58 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/17737

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/S0929-1393(03)00073-8

Programmes:

CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry > SE01B Sustainable Monitoring, Risk Assessment and Management of Chemicals > SE01.4 Monitoring and predicting the distribution of chemicals in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

_ Environmental Chemistry & Pollution
_ Ecological Processes in Freshwater & Soils

ISSN:

0929-1393

Additional Keywords:

radioecology