Some Indicators of the 137Cs Intake in Nutrient Solution with Root Exudates of Norway Spruce (Picea abies) in a Model Experiment

Abstract

This study presents the results of a model experiment with Picea abies determining the role of root exudates in the intake of radiocaesium into soil solution. It has been established that the amount of consumed ¹³⁷Cs depends on the weight of the root system, with the majority of the radionuclide presumably accumulating in the primary cortex of the root; i.e., it was not redistributed further between the structural components of the plant. The amount of ¹³⁷Cs entering the aerial part is approximately 2.5% of its total storage in the plant. During the experiment (7 days), 37.4–53.8% of the radionuclide accumulated in the assimilating organs were transported into pure solution with root exudates and the radiocaesium storage transported into the solution exceeded that of the roots. The movement of ¹³⁷Cs in the aqueous film on the surface of the root systems have not been recorded.