Determination of Radionuclide Activity of U-238 in Wheat using Gamma Spectrometric Method

Abstract

Migration and accumulation of contaminants in soil is complex and involves different processes such as leaching, capillary movement, sorption, nutrient resuspension in roots and into the atmosphere. Speciation of radionuclides in ecosystems depends on the source and layoffs, the distance from the source, dispersion processes and deposition conditions. Resuspension of radionuclides from the soil surface to the outer portions of the plants occurs due to the action of rain and wind. Significant variations in contamination can be expected depending on the type of plant, plant growth conditions and methods of its preparation before consumption. In this study we determined the activity of radionuclides U-238 in the aerial part of wheat that was sown on a sample of soil from Hadzic, and as an added contaminant different uranyl acetate concentrations were used. Gamma spectrometric measurements were carried out in a vertical coaxial HPGe detector. It is concluded that, regardless of the concentration of the contaminant, if the plant has a sufficient amount of essential elements, in this case potassium, it will not take an element that is harmful to its development, such as the uranium-238, which belongs to the toxic and unnecessary elements in plant nutrition.