Abstract
The absorption of T2 gas by several grassland soils was measured in situ using a small chamber. The deposition velocity for the process ranged from 0.01 to 0.1 cm s−1, and varied more with season than with soil type or temperature of the soil surface. Laboratory and field experiments showed that the soil, and not the vegetation, was the sink for T2. The T2 lost from the air was readily available in soil water. Deposition to sea water was also measured. The sea surface was found to be a negligible sink in comparison to soil.
The dose rate to people living near a release of T2 gas to the atmosphere, due to contamination of food and water, is estimated to be about one-eighth of that which would be caused by an equal release of HTO vapor.
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Garland, J.A., Cox, L.C. The absorption of tritium gas by english soils, plants and the sea. Water Air Soil Pollut 14, 103–114 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00291829
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00291829