Concentrations of 137Cs in soils and selected forest plants in Taiwan

Fallout 137Cs activities in soils and trees were measured from samples taken in mountainous areas and along three cross-island highways in Taiwan. Typical concentration in near-surface samples is about 5 Bq kg−1 depending on soil density. No correlation was found between the concentrations of 137Cs and stable elements in soils. Mechanical disturbance and soil density were identified as major causes for redistribution of 137Cs in both forest soils and trees. The transfer coefficient of 137Cs from soil to bastard banian estimated is 0.23.