Tritium Distribution in Some Environmental Samples-Rices, Chinese Cabbages and Pine Needles in Korea
Kim, Chang-Kyu;Cho, Yong-Woo;Han, Man-Jung;Pak, Chan-Kirl;
ABSTRACT
To evaluate tritium level in some environmental samples, tissue-free water tritium (TFWT) and tissue-bound tritium (TBT) were analyzed in rices, chinese cabbages and pine needles collected at 12 locations in Korea. The TFWT was recovered by freeze-drying of the samples and the TBT was obtained in the form of water by combustion of the dried samples. Tritium was measured by liquid scintillation counter. The concentrations of TFWT were in the range of $0.96{sim}3.96 Bq/1,; 0.83{sim}3.40 Bq/1;and;1.02{sim}3.01 Bq/1$ in rices, chinese cabbages and pine needles, respectively. The mean specific activity ratios (TBT/TFWT) were 0.94, 1.71 and 1.39 in rices, chinese cabbages and pine needles, respectiviely. This excess TBT in the samples may be attributed to the fact that the residence time of TBT in the plant is longer than that of TFWT. The specific activity ratio depends on the plant species, the exposed time to tritiated atmosphere, atmospheric moisture, temperature and diffusion factor.
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