Radiocaesium activities in wheat in Croatia

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Radiological Science
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Systematic, long-term measurements of Cesium-137 (137Cs) activities in wheat have been conducted.
• Cesium-137 fallout activity significantly impacts 137Cs levels in wheat, as indicated by a high correlation coefficient.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize results of 137Cs activity measurements in wheat over an extended period.
• To model the transfer of 137Cs from fallout deposition to wheat.
• To estimate the radiation dose to the Croatian population from wheat consumption.

Main Methods:

• Statistical analysis of long-term 137Cs activity data in wheat.
• Application of the UNSCEAR model for radionuclide transfer.
• Calculation of the 137Cs transfer coefficient.
• Estimation of radiation dose based on consumption patterns.

Main Results:

• A strong positive correlation (0.91) was found between 137Cs fallout and wheat activity.
• The calculated 137Cs transfer coefficient from deposition to wheat was 6.1 x 10(-3) Bq yr kg-1/(Bq m-2).
• The estimated annual collective equivalent dose for the Croatian population due to wheat consumption was approximately 550 man Sv between 1965 and 1992.
• Post-Chernobyl, the 134Cs:137Cs activity ratio in wheat was approximately 0.5, consistent with other environmental samples.

Conclusions:

• Cesium-137 fallout is a significant factor in wheat contamination.
• The established transfer coefficient provides a valuable metric for predicting radionuclide uptake in crops.
• Wheat consumption contributed a measurable radiation dose to the Croatian population during the study period.