Influence of microbial activities on availability and biotransport of plutonium

The effects of native vegetation and agricultural practices on soil microbial populations and the probable effects of changes in these microbial populations on the bioavailability and transport of plutonium to plants are discussed. The biological movement of transuranics in soil systems is reviewed. A special technique developed for these studies to collect small particles is briefly outlined. The use of this technique, which eliminated cross-contamination problems, made possible uptake studies with various plutonium compounds using the soil fungus Aspergillus niger. The same technique is applicable to various phases of ongoing studies. Experiments currently in progress are designed to elucidate the roles of various common soil microorganisms on the movement of transuranics in soil and on the bioavailability of transuranics to plant and animals