Accumulation of artificial and natural radionuclides in medicinal plant material in the Central Black Soil Region of Russia

Abstract

Levels of strontium-90, cesium-137, thorium-232, potassium-40, and radium-226 were studied in medicinal plant species, along with the accumulation of these elements from soils. Medicinal plant raw materials from ten plant species were collected in 36 sampling points in the Voronezh Region. Findings indicate that the main accumulators of cesium-137 isotopes were the leaves of the broadleaf plantain, the grass of the common motherwort, the grass of the common wormwood, and the leaves of the common nettle (accumulation coefficients were greater than 1.5). Cesium-137 was most prevalent in the leaves and grass, and to the least extent in flowers and underground organs. Strontium-90 was most evident in the roots of the greater burdock and the roots of the common dandelion. Isotopes of radioactive strontium-90 accumulated more in underground plant organs, and less in aerial plant organs. The leaves of the broadleaf plantain, the leaves of the common nettle, the roots of the common dandelion and the roots of the greater burdock showed the highest ability to accumulate natural and artificial radionuclides fixated by soil. Keywords—medicinal plant material, Voronezh Region, strontium-90, cesium-137, thorium-137, potassium-40, radium-