Uptake of 232U by peas and barley

The uptake and distribution of 232U in peas and barley plants were studied. The plants, grown in 4.3 kg soil contained in 20 cm diameter by 15 cm tall pots, were maintained in a controlled environmental growth chamber. Concentration of the uniformly contaminated silt loam soil was 6.8 nCi 232U/g dry soil. Aboveground plant parts were harvested at maturity, divided into selected parts, and analyzed for 232U content by alpha-energy-analysis. The ratio of the concentrations (CR value) of the dried barley seed to dry soil was 1.6 x 10-4 while it was 3.6 x 10-3 for the stem-leaf component. The CR values for the pea seed, stem-pod, and leaf components were 5.4 x 10-4, 3.3 x 10-3, and 1.7 x 10-2, respectively. (author)