Accumulation of wet-deposited radiocaesium and radiostrontium by spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The accumulation of Cs-134 and Sr-85 within different parts of spring oilseed rape and spring wheat plants was investigated, with a particular focus on transfer to seeds after artificial wet deposition at different growth stages during a two-year field trial. In general, the accumulation of radionuclides in plant parts increased when deposition was closer to harvest. The seed of spring oilseed rape had lower concentrations of Sr-85 than spring wheat grain. The plants accumulated more Cs-134 than Sr-85. We conclude that radionuclides can be transferred into human food chain at all growing stages, especially at the later stages. The variation in transfer factors during the investigation, and in comparison to previous results, implies the estimation of the risk for possible transfer of radionuclides to seeds in the event of future fallout during a growing season is still subject to considerable uncertainty. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.