REFERENCES Another factor that seems to affect the relative availability of plutonium to plants is the concentration of the element in soil (Wildung and Garland, 1974). In this experiment both the Neubauer method and a split-root technique were used to study plant uptake of plutonium. The results of this experiment showed a marked increase in the concentration ratio as the plutonium concentration in soil decreased. Adams, W. H., J. R. Bucholz, C. W. Cristenson, G. L. Johnson, and E. G. Fowler. 1975. “Studies of Plutonium, Americium, and Uranium in Environmental Matrices." Report LA-5561. pp. 1-24. Up to now, plant uptake of only two of the transuranium elements, plutonium and americium, have been discussed. Price (1972) carried out an experiment where plant uptake of two additonal transuranics was measured. In this experiment the plutonium concentration ratio was about 10-5 and the americium uptake was about 2 orders of magnitude larger. Curium uptake was quite similar to that of americium. The uptake of neptunium was substantially larger than that of curium and americium. Bernhardt, D. E., and G. G. Eadie, 1976. “Parameters for Estimating the Uptake of Transuranic Elements by Terrestrial Plants." USEPA Technical Note. ORP/LV 76-2. pp. 1-31. Brown, K. W. Systems." pp. 1-10. Some sense can be made of these extremely large ranges. Certainly, particle size and composition of the transuranics can have a very Large effect on these ratios. This can be perhaps a factor of 103. Plant species and the plant part can account for Francis, C. W. 1973. “Plutonium Mobility in Soil and Uptake in Plants." J. Environ. Qualtty 2:67-70. It is likely that soil factors such as pH, organic matter, etc. can account for at least 102, Chelation accounts for at least 102 in some of the results reported. [It also seems likely that experimental conditions could account for several orders of magnitude in the concentration ratios. Garland, T. R., R. E. Wildung, J. W. Neel, and D. A. Cataldo. 1974 a ee "Factors Affecting Uptake and Distribution of Plutonium in Barley and soybean Plants." Report BNWL-1950-PT2. pp. 30-36. Lipton, W. V., and A. S. Goldin. 1976. Uptake of Plutonium-239 by Pea Plants.” "Some Factors Influencing the Health Phystes 31:425-430, Plant Panel. 1976. In: Proceedings of the Workshop on Environmental id. Price, K. R- 1972. “Uptake of 72?’Np, 7°%pu, 7"'Am, and ?**Cm from 11. Price, K. R. 1973. “A Review of Transuranic Elements in Soils, Plants 12. Rommey, E. M., H. M. and K. H. Larson. 1970. Plutonium in Soil, Plants and Small Mammals." Research for Transuranic Elements. Report ERDA-76/134. pp. 23-32. Soil by Tumbleweed and Cheatgrass." and Animals." R. C. Dahlman, Plant Panel Chairman. Report BNWL 1688. pp. 1-14, od. Envtron. Quality 2:62-66. 329 328 EPA 600/3-76-005. Dahlman, R. C., E. A. Bondietti, and L. D. Eyman. 1976. "Biological Pathways and Chemical Behavior or Plutonium and Other Actinides in the Environment." Environmental Sciences Division Publication, No. 870, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. pp. 1-34. Data has been cited giving plutonium concentration ratios of 10-19 to 19073 another 103, “Americium--Its Behavior in Soil and Plant Cataldo, D. A., R. C. Routson, R, E. Wildung, and T. R. Garland. 1975. “Uptake and Distribution of Plutonium in Soybean Tissue as a Function of Time Following Germination." Report 2000 PT2 BNWL. pp. 33-36. SUMMARY and americium CR's of 10-7 to 10+1, 1976. USEPA Ecological Research Series. “Persistence of Health Phystce 19:487-491.