Substratum influences uptake of radium-226 by plants

Radium-226, an alpha emitter with half-life 1600 years, is ubiquitous in natural environments. Present rocks and soils, it also absorbed by vegetation. The efficiency of 226Ra uptake plants from the soil important to assess for study heavy metals plants, monitoring radioactive pollution, biogeochemical cycle radium Critical Zone. Using a thoroughly validated measurement method effective concentration (ECRa) laboratory, we compare ECRa values plant that closest soil, infer soil-to-plant transfer ratio, RSP, total 108 samples collected various locations France. range over five orders magnitude mean (min–max) 1.66 ± 0.03 (0.020–113) Bq kg?1. Inferred RSP four 0.0188 0.0004 (0.00069–0.37). value granitic metamorphic context (0.073 0.002; n = 50) significantly higher (12 1 times) than calcareous sedimentary (0.0058 0.0002; 58). This difference, which cannot be attributed systematic difference emanation coefficient, likely due competition between calcium radium. In given substratum context, compartments species show coherent decreasing following order (acropetal gradient): roots > bark branches stems ? leaves. Oak trees (Quercus genus) concentrate more other this set. While clearly demonstrates influence on non-contaminated areas, our appears as promising practical tool use (phyto)remediation its uranium- radium-contaminated areas.