Uptake and Distribution of Radiocesium in Fast-Growing Salix viminalis L

The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 led to a significant increase of radionuclide content in the eastern part of central Sweden. Radioactive cesium (Cs-134 and Cs-137) have accumulated in the soil, waters and living organisms. In agriculture, farmers are looking for alternative crops also in areas with a high radioactive content. Biomass plantations for energy are potential candidates for such soils provided the cycling of radionuclides can be controlled. Nothing IS known so far about the behaviour of cesium in energy forest production systems. The ability to take up cesium and the distribution of Cs-134 and Cs-137 within plants were investigated in a selected fast-mowing willow clone. kesium-contaminatid soil was used as substrate for apot experiment with cutting-derived plants of Salix viminalis. The total plant uptake of Cs-134 + Cs-137 was approximately 0.2% of the cesium present in the soil substrate. Almost 90% of the assimilated cesium was found allocated to the roots. The total amount of cesium in the plants increased over time.