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Radionuclide transfer to vegetables: comparison furrows and sprinkler irrigations
V Kuznetsov1, N Sanzharova1, S Fesenko1
1NRC «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow, Russia.
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
|May 7, 2026
Summary
Irrigation can move radionuclides into crops, especially with sprinkler systems, impacting food safety in arid regions. This study quanties radionuclide transfer to vegetables, informing better agricultural and safety models.
Area of Science:
- Radioecology
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Irrigation is vital for arid agriculture and food security.
- Contaminated water sources can introduce radionuclides into the food chain.
- Existing radioecological models lack region-specific data for irrigation pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate radionuclide transfer to staple crops via irrigation in Russia's North Caucasus.
- Compare the impact of furrow vs. sprinkler irrigation on radionuclide accumulation.
- Provide data to improve safety assessments and agricultural management in contaminated arid regions.
Main Methods:
- Studied transfer of 7 key radionuclides (Fe-59, Co-60, Zn-65, Sr-89, Ru-106, Cs-134, Ce-144) to tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and potatoes.
- Utilized furrow irrigation in a Russian North Caucasus field study.
- Compared radionuclide transfer factors between furrow and sprinkler irrigation methods.
Main Results:
- Radionuclide accumulation varied significantly by element, crop, and plant organ.
- Zn-65 and Sr-89 showed the highest mobility; Ru-106 and Ce-144 showed the lowest.
- Sprinkler irrigation increased aggregated transfer factors 6-40 times (biomass) and 2-9 times (edible parts) compared to furrow irrigation.
- Irrigation increased soil radionuclide migration by ~3 cm, enhancing bioavailability.
Conclusions:
- Irrigation technique is a critical factor in radionuclide entry into the food chain.
- Sprinkler irrigation poses a significantly higher risk for radionuclide transfer than furrow irrigation.
- Findings offer crucial quantitative data for enhancing radioecological models and agricultural safety in arid environments.
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