Estimation of Deposition Velocities for ⁸⁵Sr, ¹³¹I, ¹³⁷Cs on Spinach, Radish and Beans Leaves in a Tropical Region Under Simulated Fallout Conditions

Abstract

Poly dispersive aerosols of SrCl₂, NaI, CsCl having a size distribution of 2.33 μm (Activity Median Aerodynamic Diameter, [AMAD]) with a geometric standard deviation of 1.83 μm are used for the determination of deposition velocity for ⁸⁵Sr, ¹³¹I and ¹³⁷Cs aerosols on tropical spinach (Spinicia olericia), radish (Raphanous sative) and beans (Phasolous valugeries) plant leaves. The experiments were carried out in a specially designed exposure chamber to simulate deposition under accidental releases of radioactivity in tropical environment. The rates of particles deposition are expressed as a function of plant surface area and of plant dry weight. The deposition velocities obtained are in the range of 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁷ m/s. These values differ significantly from those in temperate regions. The lower values for deposition velocities (v _g) for the tropical environment is attributed due to high humidity. Therefore, the deposition of suspended aerosols on leaf surfaces caused by impaction and Brownian diffusion becomes slower in tropical environment and resulted into lower value of deposition velocities.