Retention of 238Pu-bearing particles by corn plants

To measure the retention of 238Pu-bearing particulates on plant surfaces, corn plants were exposed to 238Pu deposition in the vicinity of the H-Area nuclear fuel chemical separations facility on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Plant. Following exposure, plants were removed to an area of lower 238Pu deposition rate and sampled every seven days for 28 days to determine 238Pu retention. To investigate the effects of exposure to wind and precipitation on 238Pu retention, some plants were maintained out of doors while others were maintained in a greenhouse. Plants maintained in the greenhouse showed no statistically significant reduction in 238Pu contents. Plants maintained outside showed 238Pu loss rates consistent with the 14-day retention half-times typically used in radiological assessments. The data analysis of outside plants was complicated by the occurrence of samples with nondetectable 238Pu contents.