Evaluation of the Cs- and Sr-absorption Ability of Plant Species for Phytoremediation

Abstract

In order to select plant species that have a high ability to remediate soil polluted with ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr, 14 species of 10 families were tested. During selection using stable Cs and Sr in place of these radionuclides, the absorption rate, transport ratio from root to shoot and the condensation to the shoot were evaluated. In phytoremediation of Cs-polluted soil, oilseed rape, livingstone daisy, iceplant and New Zealand spinach were found to be promising. In Sr-polluted soil, oilseed rape, iceplant, pumpkin and sunflower were promising. A candidate species for the phytoremediation of Cs-contaminated soil might not always be a candidate for the phytoremediation of Sr-contaminated soil. In phytoremediation of Cs- and Sr-polluted soil, not only the absorption ability, but also the characteristics of the species used should be considered and evaluated.