Cycling and Compartmentalizing of Radionuclides in Northern Alaskan Lichen Communities.
Cycling of cesium-137 and other fallout radionuclides in natural lichen communities of Northern Alaska was studied by periodic sampling on a year-round basis during the period 1964-1969. Maximum concentrations usually occurred during summer months and minima during winter months. Vertical strata of...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English |
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Pacific Northwest Laboratory
1971
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2172/4036234 https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc866481/ |
| Summary: | Cycling of cesium-137 and other fallout radionuclides in natural lichen communities of Northern Alaska was studied by periodic sampling on a year-round basis during the period 1964-1969. Maximum concentrations usually occurred during summer months and minima during winter months. Vertical strata of lichens, humus and soil taken at those times showed pronounced seasonal shifting of radionuclides between community components. These data partially account for the sudden increase in cesium-137 body burdens of northern Alaskan caribou during spring months of each year and have important implications in the Eskimo populations dependent upon the caribou for basic food. |
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