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Accumulation of lead radionuclides in 18 leaf vegetable types in Viet Nam
Huynh Truc Phuong1, Vu Ngoc Ba2, Bui Ngoc Thien1
1Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
Abstract:
Studying the concentration of radioactive lead in soil and plants, and using plants for phytoremediation are important for the environment and human health protection. In this study, we used gamma spectrometry to determine activity concentration in soil - plants, transfer factor. The average activity concentration of lead radionuclides in soil and plants were in the following order of 210Pb > 214Pb > 212Pb. The average activity ratio of 214Pb and 212Pb to 210Pb in soil were 0.70 and 0.59 and in plants were 0.69 and 0.14, respectively. The results showed that there was not much difference between the ratio of radioactive 214Pb and 210Pb concentrations in vegetable and plant samples. Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticose) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) contained the highest concentrations of 210Pb, and Malabar spinach (Basella alba) contained the lowest concentration. Ming aralia could be used for the radioactive decontamination of 210Pb. There vegetable samples from Ho Chi Minh City were considered safe for human consumption in the aspect of lead radionuclides.
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