Evaluation of the transfer factor of technetium from water to aquatic plants

In the assessment of the environmental distribution of technetium (99Tc) the transfer factor or bioconcentration factor is an important parameter. Generally the transfer factor is based on (pseudo) equilibria, first-order uptake and elimination processes, and an absence of homeostatic control. Transfer factor concept for Tc in duckweed is evaluated by evaluating Tc steady-state concentrations in duckweed against growth rate and nutrient concentration. It was concluded that (1) Tc accumulation is not homeostatically controlled and (2) the transfer factor is inversely proportional to the growth rate. (author)