Depth Distribution of 137Cs in Anthrosol from the Experimental Field "Radmilovac" near Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

This is a preliminary study of the depth distribution of ¹³⁷Cs radionuclides in cultivated anthrosol soil of a 15-year old peach tree plantation at the experimental field "Radmilovac" near Belgrade. Before planting, the soil was ploughed at the depth of 1 m. The soil had not been annually ploughed, irrigated and treated with mineral fertilizers for three years before sampling. Activity concentration for ¹³⁷Cs ranged from 1.8 Bq kg^-1 to 35 Bq kg^-1. Along the soil depth it varied highly, reaching as high a total variation coefficient as 83 %. Radiocaesium distribution patterns depended on the extent of soil mixing in the plough layer, as it was mechanically transferred from the surface to the lower soil layers during cultivation. ¹³⁷Cs was associated with humus content and fixation to clay fractions in the soil. Our results single out soil's hygroscopic water as a valuable parameter for ¹³⁷Cs behaviour that could be used commonly if the measurement is standardised.