UPTAKE AND LONG-TERM BEHAVIOR OF NATURALLY-OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES IN TREE-RINGS OF SPRUCE

The uptake and the radial distribution of naturally occurring radionuclides in the tree rings of a spruce tree were examined. The activity concentrations of Pb-210 are at a constant level of about 1,7 Bq/kg dry weight (dw) in older tree rings but decrease to younger ones. We suggest that Rn-222 dissolved in the soil water is taken up in significant amounts by the tree roots and decays to Pb-210 within the wood. The activity concentrations of Ra-226 of about 2,0 Bq/kg (dw) ale nearly constant over all tree rings. Ra-228 however showed a significantly different behavior. Futhermore the activity concentrations of U-, Th- and Pu-isotopes were determined. A depth profile of the soil within the root zone of the spruce gives further informations.