Activity concentration and transfer factor of ⁴⁰K, from soil to plant and grass to milk/meat in Rajasthan Rawatbhata Site Environment

Radionuclide uptake by plants is evaluated by transfer factor (TF) defined as the ratio between plant specific activity (Bqkg^-1fr.wt) and soil specific activity (Bqkg^-1fr.wt). It is widely used for calculating radiological human dose via the ingestion pathway. TF is regarded as one of the most important parameters in environmental safety assessment for nuclear facilities. The absorbance of radioactive substances by plants, man and animals can be direct and indirect. In the direct absorbance the plant, man and animals are directly incorporating the radioactive substances. Indirect presupposes the absorbance of radionuclides through the pathway soil - roots - plant -animal - man. The indirect way of intake is the most important and influences the food for greater period of time. Soil to plant transfer of various radionuclides are known to be affected by soil properties, organic matter content, variety of plant species, climatic condition and cultural practices. Study showed that absorption of ⁴⁰K by Cereals and Pulses are higher than vegetable because of smaller contiguity of ⁴⁰K with the carriers of the cellular membranes of the plant roots