Distribution of 210Pb and 210Po in boreal forest soil

Vertical distribution and activity contents of 210Pb and 210Po were investigated in forest soils of Scots pine-dominated (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands from seven different locations in Finland. The mean total inventory in the soil profile, up to 20 cm, of 210Pb was 4.0 kBq m− 2 (range 3.1–5.0 kBq m− 2) and 210Po 5.5 kBq m− 2 (range 4.0–7.4 kBq m− 2), the organic soil layer containing 45% of the total inventory of both nuclides. In both the organic and the mineral layers the 210Po/210Pb ratio was close to unity indicating a radioactive equilibrium between them. In the litter layer there was, however, a clear excess of 210Po suggesting that polonium is recycled via root uptake from the root zone to the ground surface. The activity concentration (Bq kg− 1) of 210Pb clearly correlated with organic matter and the Fe, Al and Mn concentrations in soil indicating that radioactive lead is associated both with humic substances and the oxides of iron, aluminium and manganese. Radioactive lead was also seen to follow the behavior of stable lead. No systematic correlation between polonium and soil properties was seen.