Activity concentration of radionuclides in plants in the environment of Western Ghats

Background: A field study on the transfer of primordial radionuclides U-238, Th-232, K-40 and fallout radionuclides Po-210 in different plant species in tropical forest of western Ghats environment is presented. Material and Methods: The Top storey, Second storey, Shrubs and epiphytic plant species were chosen and concentration of these radionuclides in plant and soil were measured by employing gamma ray spectrometer and alpha counter. Results: The concentration ratio shows the variation in different species while a wild plant Elaeocarpus oblongus and epiphytic plants indicated preferential uptake of these radionuclides. Conclusion: The dust trapped in the root system of epiphytic plants could be used as bioindicator to monitor fallout radionuclides in the Western Ghats. The concentration of Th-232 and K-40 in leaves depends on the age of the leaves. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2009; 7 (2): 85-90