Abstract:
Biosphere models predict the transport of radionuclides in the environment with an end goal of assessing the possible risk to humans. Little data exists to support these mathematical biosphere models. The objectives of this work were to verify foliar uptake in biosphere models using experimental data, compare existing biosphere models based on cultural differences, and contributing new values to the literature. Radishes were grown and their leaves were contaminated by a single deposition of technetium-99 to assess the amount of radionuclides transferred to the roots. Liquid scintillation counting was used to determine the radioactivity of the samples at harvest. The radish roots had concentrations between 0 and 500 Bq/g which was on the same order of magnitude as the ANDRA and EPRI model predictions. The Studsvik model prediction was three orders of magnitude higher than the experimental values and was not confirmed. The EPRI, ANDRA, JGC and Studsvik models were compared and contrasted based on location, diet, and construction which led to differences in dose predictions of 0-70 Sv/y.
