226Ra, 40K and 7Be activity concentrations in plants in the environment of Kaiga, India

Leaves, stem and bark samples from several plant species were collected from tropical forest of Kaiga, in the west coast of India where two nuclear power reactors of 220 MW each have just been commissioned and another two are under construction, and analysed for their 226Ra, 40K and 7Be concentrations. The activities of 226Ra and 40K in plants were found to vary in the range BDL–13.2 and 12.0–797.3 Bq kg−1, respectively. Plants show significant 7Be activity in leaves, the activity varies in 72.5–1060.8 Bq kg-1. Stem and bark of plants show higher levels of 226Ra and 40K when compared to leaves. Soil-to-plant transfer factor for 226Ra and 40K were found to vary in the range BDL–0.37 and 0.09–5.61, respectively for different plants. The concentration of 226Ra and 40K in leaves depends on the age of the leaves.