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Tritium concentration in unpolished rice
S Hisamatsu1, T Katsumata, Y Takizawa
1Department of Public Health, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan.
Journal of Radiation Research
|December 1, 1991
Summary
Tritium (3H) in unpolished rice shows lower organically-bound levels than free water, confirming environmental elimination. This study found a specific activity ratio of 0.57, suggesting tritium loss in rice.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiochemistry
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Recent studies indicated a specific activity ratio of organically-bound tritium (3H) to free water 3H below unity in polished rice from Japan and China.
- This phenomenon suggests a systematic apparent elimination of 3H from incorporation into organically-bound forms in environmental samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the findings of Inoue and Iwakura regarding the lower ratio of organically-bound 3H to free water 3H.
- To analyze tritium levels in unpolished rice samples immediately after harvest.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of seven unpolished rice samples collected directly after harvesting.
- Measurement of organically-bound 3H and free water 3H specific activities.
Main Results:
- The mean specific activity ratio of organically-bound 3H to free water 3H in unpolished rice was determined to be 0.57.
- This ratio was slightly lower than previously reported values for polished rice.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the apparent elimination of tritium from organic incorporation in rice.
- The observed difference in ratios may be attributed to variations in sampling years or post-harvest water exchange with atmospheric vapor.