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A Review of Transuranic Elements in Soils, Plants, and Animals¹

ABSTRACT

Published information concerning the distribution and fate of neptunium, plutonium, americium, and curium in terrestrial ecosystems is reviewed, and areas needing further study are identified. In the final analysis of environmental quality, radionuclides with very long half lives will become increasingly important to man as they continually constitute a greater proportion of environmental radioactivity. The transuranic elements have been identified as the most hazardous radionuclide by-products of nuclear reactor operations. The relatively few studies conducted indicate that transuranic elements do not remain in solution in soils, plants, or animals, but organic complexes and chelation greatly enhance mobility. The elucidation of natural organic complexes and chelating agents has not been attempted. Oxidation state also influences mobility, but possible biological mechanisms permitting oxidation or reduction remain uninvestigated. Ingestion is the most important transfer mechanism in ecosystems, but assimilation of transuranics from natural food sources is mostly unknown. Evidence in the literature suggests three possible mechanisms leading to the observed increase in plant uptake with time: the formation of organic complexes or chelates, a buildup of radionuclide concentration at root surface, or the slow but continual uptake by perennial plants. Each of these mechanisms deserves further study.

Key Words: radionuclides • neptunium • plutonium • americium • curium • radioactive waste • fallout • terrestrial ecosystems • nuclear reactors

¹ This review work supported under United States Atomic Energy Comm. Contract AT(45-1)-1830.

² Senior Research Scientist, Battelle Northwest Lab., Richland, Wash. 99352.

Received for publication February 17, 1972.