Measurements on retention and transfer characteristics of radiocaesium from poor quality upland soils to heather and from heather to sheep.

This paper presents results from initial measurements of Cs-134, Cs-137 and K-40 activities made on poor quality upland soils and associated Calluna vulgaris vegetation. Soil-plant radiocaesium and potassium relationships were investigated. Chernobyl caesium shows a higher concentration ratio from soil to heather compared to the older weapons-test caesium. Significant radiocaesium levels have been measured (both in vivo and in vitro) in sheep grazing four sites. There was a significant correlation found between radiocaesium concentrations in sheep and activity deposited in the soil.