Vertical distribution of 90Sr in soil profiles and its uptake by scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) wood growing within the Chernobyl exclusion zone

Abstract

Statistical and graphical interpretation of 90Sr vertical distributions in soil profiles up to a depth of 1.0 m was presented based on the study of the typical Scots pine stands forest at 14 experimental sites within the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Significant differences were found between 90Sr activity distribution in soil profiles collected at different sites. The part of 90Sr activity below of a depth of 30 cm varied from 15 to 71 %. 90Sr transfer factors from soil to anatomical structures of the stem wood were estimated based on values of soil contamination density, which were calculated for the depth of 0.3 and 1.0 m. The statistically significant correlation between the transfer factors of 90Sr to stem wood (heartwood, sapwood) and its vertical distributions in soil profiles have not been observed. Among the forest inventory parameters for pine stands only the average diameter of trees significantly correlated with 90Sr transfer factors to stem wood.

Keywords

• 90sr content
• activity concentration
• transfer factor
• soil profile
• heartwood
• sapwood
• forest inventory parameters
• pine stand
• forest ecosystems.