Effect of potassium compound on the accumulation of radioactive cesium in terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc commune

Abstract

The terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc commune accumulated high concentration of radioactive cesium. In this study, we investigated the effect of soil properties on radioactive cesium uptake by N. commune. A cultivation experiment confirmed that N. commune absorbed radioactive cesium from polluted sand, loam, and humus soil respectively. Especially in sand, the concentration factor of radioactive cesium to N. commune was high. Addition of potassium compounds to soil strongly inhibited radioactive cesium accumulation by N. commune. Of the three potassium compounds, KNO₃， KH₂PO₄ and K₂SO₄, investigated, K₂SO₄ had the most prominent inhibitory effect.