The 137Cs accumulation by forest-derived products in the Gomel region

This paper reports basic features of the 137Cs uptake by forest-derived products in the Gomel region. Even with the soil contamination density of 37 kBq m−2 the radionuclide contents in 20-30% of mushrooms and berries were found to be higher than the admissible levels. The 137Cs contamination density of soil, site type and meteorological parameters were observed as the major factors which govern the radiocaesium uptake by mushrooms and berries. The 137Cs contents in forest-derived products were found to increase directly with the soil contamination density. Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) growing on different site types differed significantly in the 137Cs content. It was also determined that statistically significant differences in the 137Cs radioactivity of forest foods growing on different natural sites were governed by the factor designated in the current study by “territorial”. The differences are to be accounted for both by forms of the Chernobyl fallout and by the natural and climatic conditions determining variations in the availability of radionuclides in the soil. In dry years the 137Cs concentrations in some mushroom species were higher than in normal years.