Radionuclide uptake and dose assessment of 14 herbaceous species from the east-Ural radioactive trace area using the ERICA Tool

Abstract

The evaluation of radiation exposure in 14 species of herbaceous plants from the East-Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT) zone was performed, using the ERICA Tool, v. 1.2. Recent (up to 2015) levels of radionuclide activity concentration were measured in soil and vegetative plant mass. Pu content was used for the first time to estimate external dose rates for herbaceous plant species along the pollution gradient. In addition, a new approach to assessing the geometry of objects was adopted, including not only aboveground but also underground plant organs. This improved approach to the evaluation of radiation exposure confirms previous findings that herbaceous plant populations currently exist under low-level chronic exposure in the EURT area. This reassessment based on new data suggests a 48-977-fold increase in the total dose rate per plant organism at the most polluted site compared to background areas. The highest capacity for the transfer ofSr and Cs was observed in Taraxacum officinale and Plantago major. In these species, the total dose rate per plant exceeded 150 μGy h due to Sr +Cs + Pu radionuclide anthropogenic pollution in the EURT zone. All estimated total dose rates per plant were below the dose rate screening value of 400 μGy h.

Multiannual Assessment of Quality of Plantago major L. Seed Progeny from Kyshtym Radiation Accident Area: Weather-Dependent Effects

“…Dose rates for parental P. major plants at the EURT sites ranged from 14.5 to 165.9 µGy h −1 and corresponded to low doses for plants [25,26]. The International Commission on Radiological Protection defines the dose rate of 41.7-417 µGy h −1 as the range within which potential radiobiological effects can be observed in herbaceous plants [27].…”

“…Methods for estimating 90 Sr and 137 Cs concentrations, model assumptions, and calculations are described in detail in ref. [25]. The results of calculations (Table 5) were normalized to certain years under study (taking into account 90 Sr and 137 Cs half-lives).…”

“…Compared with 2005, current dose loads of parental plantain plants decreased by 33% in the EURT zone. [25] with updates and additions (** own data).…”

Comparative Evaluation of Prooxidant/Antioxidant Balance in Seed Progeny of Plantago major L. from Radioactively and Chemically Contaminated Areas

“…1). Absorbed dose rates for P. major maternal plants were calculated using the ERICA Tool and taking into account the contributions of 90 Sr, 137 Cs, and 239,240 Pu and the natural background radiation (Karimullina et al, 2018). Absorbed dose rates within the EURT ranged from 19.1 to 157.1 μGy/h (background value = 0.109 μGy/h), which Emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere were at their maximum levels in the 1960-1970s.…”