Influence of alkali and alkaline earth elements on the uptake of radionuclides by Pleurototus eryngii fruit bodies

In the literature, there are many data available on radionuclide contents and their transfer to different species of mushrooms. There are some variables, however, which affect the transfer but are very difficult to observe in collected wild mushrooms. An example is the effect of different concentrations of alkali and alkaline earth elements in the soil. Modification of these concentrations in the soil solution has traditionally been used as a countermeasure to deal with radioactively contaminated areas. In the present work, fruiting bodies of Pleurotus eryngii, a saprophytic mushroom, were grown under controlled laboratory conditions, varying the content of alkali (potassium and cæsium) and alkaline earth (calcium and strontium) elements. The transfer of 134Cs, 85Sr, and 60Co (added to the cultures) and of natural 210Pb was analysed by increasing the content of each stable element considered. A significant, but nonlinear, enhancement of stable cæsium and 134Cs was observed with increasing content of stable cæsium in the substrate/mycelium. The transfer of 85Sr decreased with the addition of each stable cation, whereas the 60Co and 210Pb transfers were unaffected.

► The addition of stable potassium did not affect the uptake of radiocaesium.
► The addition of stable caesium increased the stable caesium and 134Cs content in the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus eryngii.
► The addition of calcium reduced the content of calcium and 85Sr in the fruiting bodies.
► These countermeasures did not work properly in the case of 60Co and 210Pb, no effect was observed.