Transect Survey of Artificial 137-Cs and Natural 40-K in Moss and Bilberry Leaf Samples from Two Main Valleys from Tatra National Park

This paper presents the results of determination of artificial 137-Cs and natural 40-K activity concentrations in plants (bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and moss (Polytrichum commune) Polytrichum commune)) and in soil samples from two main Tatra Valleys; Koscieliska and Rybi Potok Valley. The data were obtained during two years (2001-02). These plants are known a as good bio-monitors for radiocesium. It is known that 137-Cs and 40-K isotopes play important roles in the environment, due to their good assimilation by plants. The transfer of these elements from soil to plant depends of many factors: type of soil, organic matter contents, pH, type of plants. In this paper some results concerning the transfer of 137-Cs and 40-K isotopes from various types of Tatra soil to moss or bilberry are shown. (author)