Study of the evolution of radionuclide distribution in soils using sequential extraction schemes

Two sequential extraction schemes are applied to two types of Mediterranean agricultural soil (sandy and sandy-loam soils) in order to study the evolution of the distribution of radionuclides in these soils and be able to predict future bioavailability or uptake by plants. One scheme indicates the role of organic matter in radionuclide distribution in soils and the other one is a common scheme used in soils and sediment speciation of heavy metals. The soils were previously contaminated with 134 Cs, 110m Ag, 85 Ag, by means of an aerosol which simulates an accidental nuclear situation. Changes of the distribution of the three radionuclides in the two types of soils, taking into account their different composition, as well as in samples taken the day after contamination and few months later, are studies