Mobility and transport of cesium and strontium in soil erosion by water

Institute of Protection and Nuclear Safety, IPSN/DPRE/SERLAB, Laboratory of Experimental Radioecology, bâtiment 180, CE Cadarache, BP. 1, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance cedex, France

Abstract

It was apparent that the cesium migrates horizontally in greater proportions than the strontium that pooly fixes on the particles and infiltrates into the first centimeter of the soil. One parameter to take into account would appear to be the initial humidity of the soil. The sedimentary crust favours the exportation of cesium and strontium by preventing its infiltration, while at the same time trapping part of the contamination on its immobile particles. In the case of wet discharge, the contamination of cesium tends to disperse. It is now necessary to extend the domain of study of our factors for completing results. Dry periods in structural history and organic contents appeared to be most important.