Consequences of the chernobyl fallout on some Italian underbrush produces: A ten‐year study

Summary

In this paper we present the results of a decennial (1986–1995) investigation on radiocaesium concentrations in soil, honey, mushrooms and other underbrush produces collected in a representative upland region of the Italian Apennines. Concentrations of ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs in numerous samples were determined by gamma‐ray spectrometry. The data obtained showed a relatively high ¹³⁷Cs concentration, up to 8973 Bq m^‐2, in the superficial (0–2 cm) mineral soil. In most of the mushrooms, as well as in other underbrush produces, the detected activities were generally <20 Bq kg^‐1. However, a high radiocontamination was observed in two species, namely Rozites Caperatus (with 584 and 735 Bq kg^‐1 of ¹³⁷Cs), and Tricholoma Nudum (3450 Bq kg^‐1). Caesium concentration in honey showed a sharp increase soon after the Chernobyl accident, followed by a slow progressive decrease.

Key words:

• cesium
• Chernobyl
• honey
• mushrooms