Bioavailability of radiostrontium in soil: Experimental study and modeling

Parameters related to 90Sr mobility in the soil–plant system are reported: exchangeable content, selectivity coefficient, and transfer factor. Large mobility of 90Sr in different soil types was shown. The fraction of exchangeable 90Sr varied between 70 and 90%. The selectivity coefficient KC(90Sr/Ca) values were in the range 1.3–2.5. The radionuclide transfer factors (TF) varied by a factor of 9.6 for barley seedlings and by a factor of 6.6 for lupine seedlings. The exchangeable Ca content was the determinant soil parameter responsible for differences in 90Sr biological availability. A static model was devised that describes 90Sr sorption from soil solution by soil and on the root surface. The parameter of 90Sr bioavailability (A) has been suggested. Parameter A was calculated from data on soil exchangeable Ca content and 90Sr mobility indicators – exchangeable fraction of the radionuclide and the selectivity coefficient KC(90Sr/Ca). A correlation was found between TF and parameter A.