Experimental investigation of specific activity ratio of ¹⁴C from soil to Spinach sp

¹⁴C is a pure beta-emitter (Emax. 156 keV) with a relatively long half-life (5730 years) and is produced in nature by the cosmic-ray bombardment of ¹⁴N in the upper atmosphere at a rate of approximately 1 PBq year^-1. ¹⁴C is produced in nuclear reactors by the neutron activation of stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen in the fuel, cladding, coolant, moderator and structural materials of the reactor. It is estimated that the average production rate for nuclear reactors is around 3-4 TBq (GW(e) year^-1). Some of this ¹⁴C is released to the environment during normal operation at the reactor site. This radionuclide occurs mainly as ¹⁴CO₂ and is readily incorporated into living organisms and contributes in the ingestion dose. An attempt was made to study the root uptake of ¹⁴C from soil to Spinach sp. in simulated condition