Interaction matrices as a first sep toward a general model of radionuclide cycling: application to the 137Cs behavior in a grassland ecosystem

VELASCO, H.; JURI AYUB J.; BELLI M.; SANSONE U

JOURNAL OF RADIOANALYTICAL AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY

Springer

Año: 2005 vol. 268

0236-5731

Interaction matrices have been identified as a useful tool to develop conceptual models of radionuclide circulation in the environment. This systematic approach facilitates a comprehensible individualization of  the main radionuclide migration pathways and permits to identify the role of each ecosystem component in terms of cause-effect relationships. In the present research, the method was applied to study the radiocaesium migration processes in grassland ecosystems affected by a brief  137Cs deposition event, similar to the deposition that took place in affected zones as a consequence of  Chernobyl accident. Interaction matrices have been simultaneously used to explore dynamic changes, originated by the elapsed time from deposition on radiocaesium migration pathways and their consequences in terms of radiation exposure on living organisms.