Effects of soil organic matter decomposition on cesium-137 bioavailability in soils.

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25870049
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Environmental dynamic analysis; Risk sciences of radiation and chemicals
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Arai Hirotsugu 東北大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (20642078)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 放射性セシウム / 土壌有機物 / 分解・無機化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of soil organic matter decomposition on the changes of the amount of bioavailable cesium-137 in soils. The radioactively contaminated soils were incubated in the laboratory to enhance the decomposition. Sequential extraction procedure was applied to those soils for fractionating cesium-137 with different bioavailability. A significant reduction of cesium-137 binding soil organic matter was observed at the first 30 day incubation. On the other hand, water extractable cesium-137 was increased during the same period. In addition, this gain in water extractable cesium-137 might be regulated by the quality of soil organic matter.
Based on the results, it is concluded that the decomposition of soil organic matter changed the cesium-137 bioavailability in the soil. Furthermore, it is suggested that the decomposability of soil organic matter should be taken into the consideration for the future cesium-137 dynamics between soil and plants.

Free Research Field

生物地球化学