Analysis of radionuclide transfer factors from soil to plant in tropical and subtropical environments

In this study, the factors that influence the variability of soil to plant radionuclide transfer factors (TF) in tropical and subtropical environments were statistically analyzed. More than 2700 TF values were obtained from the literature, and from this four broad soil groups and 13 plant groups were investigated. Additionally, different plant compartments were distinguished. The wide variability and uncertainty observed in TF is considerably reduced when data are independently grouped into groups of plant/plant part/soil type combinations. In most plant groups Zn and Sr have the highest transfer values. TFs are lower for Cs and the lowest TFs were found for Ra, U and Pb.