Experimental studies on the deposition to crops of radioactive gases released from gas-cooled reactors —II. Hydrogen sulphide-35

Experimental studies were performed in a controlled environment to determine the deposition velocity of H235S to major British crops, as part of a validation exercise for models developed by Nuclear Electric PLC in the UK. Following initial uptake of the gas, the subsequent fate of the 35S was quantified up to maturity. Deposition velocities varied between 0.05 and 4.46cm3 g−1 s−1 and 0.0007 and 2.67cm s−1 on a weight- and area basis, respectively. Overall, allocation of 35S derived from H2S followed the growth pattern of individual organs, similar to earlier studies with COS, while the prime loss mechanism for the radionuclides appeared to be radioactive decay.