Abstract
The distribution of fallout 137Cs in the component parts of a semi-natural sessile oak forest sited at Brackloon in Co. Mayo, Ireland is examined in detail. Field data confirm that soil is the major repository for 137Cs in this deciduous ecosystem, with approximately 94% of the total inventory in the upper organic horizons. In contrast, the wood, roots and litter combined, constituting virtually 98% of the forest biomass, contain only 2–3% of the caesium inventory, with the balance in the mineral soil. Differences between the distribution observed at Brackloon and those reported for coniferous ecosystems elsewhere are discussed. In addition, a compartmental model is proposed which simulates the accumulation and recycling of 137Cs within this deciduous environment and enables its distribution to be projected over a timescale of 100 years. Model-derived data indicate that the key processes controlling re-distribution include the rates of fixation of 137Cs within the Of and Oh layers, and its rate of removal from the latter. Overall, the data highlight the need to consider both labile and non-labile forms of 137Cs, and to differentiate the main soil horizons.
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Seymour, E.M., Mitchell, P.I., Vintró, L.L., Little, D.J. (1999). A Model for the Transfer and Recycling of CS-137 Within a Deciduous Forest Ecosystem. In: Linkov, I., Schell, W.R. (eds) Contaminated Forests. NATO Science Series, vol 58. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4694-4_22
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4694-4_22
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