Bio-monitoring for uranium using stream-side terrestrial plants and macrophytes

摘要: This study evaluated the abilities of various plant species to act as bio-monitors for environmental uranium (U) contamination. Vegetation and soil samples were collected from a U processing facility. The water-way fed facility storm effluents was focal sample site it represented primary transport mechanism. Soils sediments areas exposed contamination possessed concentrations that averaged 630 mg kg−1. Aquatic mosses proved be exceptional accumulators with dry weight (dw) measuring high 12 500 kg−1 (approximately 1% dw mass attributable U). macrophytes (Phragmites communis, Scripus fontinalis Sagittaria latifolia) also effective U. In general, roots higher than associated upper portions plants. For terrestrial plants, Impatiens capensis had highest observed levels accumulation (1030 kg−1), followed by Cyperus esculentus Solidago speciosa. concentration ratio (CR) characterized vegetative relative in soil. accumulated at excess found were: P. communis root (CR, 17.4), I. 3.1) S. whole 1.4). Seven ten CR values roots. Correlations other metals performed, which revealed strongly correlated nickel (Ni) (correlation: 0.992; r-squared: 0.984). Uranium tissue strontium (Sr) 0.948; 0.899). Strontium is chemically physically similar calcium (Ca) magnesium (Mg), positively-correlated correlation these nutrient minerals, including iron (Fe), suggests active uptake mechanisms may influence accumulation.