A comparison of 137Cs radioactivity in localized evergreen and deciduous plant species

A vegetation study at the Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station (CPSES) near Glen Rose, Texas was conducted in 1991 and 1992. The CPSES is a commercial nuclear power plant owned and operated by Texas Utilities Electric of Dallas, Texas. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) requires the CPSES to routinely sample broadleaf vegetation in place of milk samples. Few commercial dairies exist in the vicinity. Broadleaf tree species are scarce because the climate and local limestone geology have produced a dry rolling hill topography. An evergreen juniper is the dominant tree species. Few broadleaves during the winter season have hindered year-round sampling. This study compares the environmental 137Cs concentrations between broadleaf and evergreen foliage at CPSES. Soil 137Cs concentrations from each vegetation location were also compared to the foliage 137Cs concentrations. The study's objective was to determine if the deciduous and evergreen vegetation 137Cs concentrations are statistically the same