Uranium in plant species grown on natural barren soil

Abstract

Uranium (U) and other radionuclides can become toxic to plants, animals, and humans if accumulated in sufficient quantities. Uptake and accumulation of U has been studied in plants native to uranium mine sites, but not in cultivated plants which are commonly consumed by humans. This study was conducted to better understand uptake and accumulation of U in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), maize (Zea mays), onion (Allium cepa), potato (Solanum tuberosum), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) grown on a deposit of the Kalna‐Gabrovnica uranium mine located in Serbia during 1992 and 1993. Tissue samples were collected from all plants during vegetative growth and for maize and sunflower at maturity. The results showed variations in plant uptake and accumulation of U dependent on species; vegetables had higher U concentration than maize and sunflower. Above‐ground portions of plants accumulated more U than storage organs or seed/grain, and the concentration of U in the investigated organs was different. Older leaves accumulated more U than younger leaves. This indicated that uptake and translocation of U was plant species dependent. Plant species could be important for understanding U contamination within the food chain.