BARC/PUB/2004/0155

 
 

Estimation Of Deposition Velocities For 85sr, 131I, 137Cs On Spinach, Radish And Beans Leaves In A Tropical Region Under Simulated Fallout Conditions

 
     
 
Author(s)

Singhal, R. K.; Narayanan, U.; Gurg, R. P.
(HPD)

Source

Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 2004. Vol. 158: pp. 181-192

ABSTRACT

Poly dispersive aerosols of SrCl2, NaI, CsCl having a size distribution of 2.33μm(Activity Median Aerodynamic Diameter, [AMAD] ) with a geometric standard deviation of 1.83μm are used for the determination of deposition velocity for 85Sr, 131I and 137Cs aerosols on tropical spinach (Spinicia olericia), radish (Raphanous sative) and beans (Phasolous valugeries) plant leaves. The experiments were carried out in a specially designed exposure chamber to simulate deposition under accidental releases of radioactivity in tropical environment. The rates of particles deposition are expressed as a function of plant surface area and of plant dry weight. The deposition velocities obtained are in the range of 10-6 to 10-7 m/s. These values differ significantly from those in temperate regions. The lower values for deposition velocities (vg) for the tropical environment is attributed due to high humidity. Therefore, the deposition of suspended aerosols on leaf surfaces caused by impaction and Brownian diffusion becomes slower in tropical environment and resulted into lower value of deposition velocities.

 
 
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