Absorption of gamma-emitting fission products and activation products by rice under flooded and unflooded conditions from two tropical soils

Summary The absorption of gamma-emitting fission products¹⁰⁶Ru,¹²⁵Sb,¹³⁷Cs and¹⁴⁴Ce and activation products⁵⁹Fe,⁵⁸Co.⁵⁴Mn and⁶⁵Zn by rice plants grown on two contrasting tropical soils, namely, a blak soil (pellustert) and a laterite (oxisol), and the effects of flooding were studied under controlled conditions. Results indicated greater uptake of¹⁰⁶Ru and¹²⁵Sb from the black soil than from the laterite. In contrast, the uptake of¹⁴⁴Ce and¹³⁷Cs was greater in the laterite than in the black soil. Flooding treatment enhanced the uptake of all these fission products by rice plants in the laterite soil whereas this effect was observed only for¹²⁵Sb and¹³⁷Cs in the black soil.The plant uptake of activation products from the two soil types showed maximum accumulation of⁶⁵Zn followed by⁵⁴Mn,⁵⁹Fe and⁵⁸Co in both soil types. Besides, uptake of these nuclides was greater from the laterite soil than from the black soil. Flooding treatment for rice while showing a reduction of⁵⁹Fe uptake, showed an increase in plant uptake of⁵⁸Co,⁵⁴Mn and⁶⁵Zn in both soil types.     

The biological and physico-chemical uptake of radiocesium by particulate matter of natural origin (Baltic Sea)

The kinetics of radiocesium (¹³⁷Cs) uptake by natural suspended matter collected from coastal waters in the southern Baltic has been studied under laboratory conditions. The uptake of radiocesium from seawater by the suspended matter took place immediately after introduction of the isotope and attained equilibrium within a few hours. Summer and winter suspended matter displayed equal K_d values, indicating similar sorption characteristics of radiocesium. The amounts of radiocesium sorbed from sea water were proportional to the suspended matter concentration studied,i.e. up to 312 mg dry wt dm^–3. The relative uptake of radiocesium by live and dead plankton appeared to be the same. The desorption of radiocesium from dead plankton proceeded more rapidly and more intensively than sorption. There are no significant differences between the K_d values for plankton determined in laboratory experiments and those found for plankton populations under field conditions.     

Metal Complexation in Xylem Fluid : III. ELECTROPHORETIC EVIDENCE

The capacity of ligands in xylem fluid to form metal complexes was tested with a series of in vitro experiments using paper electrophoresis and radiographs. The xylem fluid was collected hourly for 8 hours from soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants grown in normal and Zn-phytotoxic nutrient solutions. Metal complexation was assayed by anodic or reduced cathodic movement of radionuclides (⁶³Ni, ⁶⁵Zn, ¹⁰⁹Cd, ⁵⁴Mn) that were presumed to have formed negatively charged complexes.     

Accumulation of cadmium and selected elements in flax seed grown on a calcareous soil

Seed of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) grown on calcareous and neutral soils sometimes accumulates relatively high concentrations of Cd. The influence of a post-flowering application of NH₄NO₃ (115 mg N kg^-1), CdSO₄ (1 mg Cd kg^-1), FeEDDHA (2 mg Fe kg^-1), NaH₂PO₄ (120 mg P kg^-1) and ZnSO₄ (8 mg Zn kg^-1) on seed accumulation of Cd, Fe, N, Mn, P and Zn by flax grown on a Calciaquoll was studied in two experiments under greenhouse conditions. Seed yields were increased by the N and Zn treatments, and the N×Zn interaction was positive. Zinc deficiency delayed flowering and boll formation by up to 20 days and reduced seed size. In the absence of added Cd, seed accumulated up to 0.33 mg Cd kg^-1. This Cd accumulation was reduced by approximately 50 and 17% by added Zn and Fe, respectively, but was little affected by P fertilizer and post-flowering N stress. In the presence of added Cd, seed Cd exceeded 3.3 mg Cd kg^-1, and the antagonistic effects of Fe and Zn on seed Cd were absent. Seed N, P, Fe and Zn concentrations were increased on average by 10, 45, 31 and 97% by the N, P, Fe and Zn fertilizer treatments, respectively. FeEDDHA reduced seed Mn concentration by approximately 58%. However, seed Mn concentration was much less than that found in vegetative tissue at flowering. Soil-applied Zn may reduce seed Cd concentration in flax under field conditions, and may increase marketability of flax for food use.     

The Effect of Electrolyte Type and Concentration on the Release of Cd,Cu, Ni,and Zn in Some Contaminated Calcareous Soils

This paper reports the results of desorption experiments of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) from some contaminated calcareous soils under four electrolyte types (CaCl₂, MgCl₂, NaCl and Na₂SO₄) with different electrolyte concentrations (0.5, 4 and 10 mM). Among electrolytes, CaCl₂ significantly released more metals from soils. There was a negative relationship between total Cu and Zn content and percentage of Cu and Zn released (average of electrolyte concentrations) using CaCl₂ solution, indicating a higher Cu and Zn released when their total content was low. Generally, Cd, Cu, and Zn speciation was affected by both type of electrolytes and their concentrations, whereas Ni speciation stayed mostly stable and was almost unaffected by applied solutions. It can be suggested that beside competition with cations, chloro-complexation is important parameter in Cd release, while CuOH⁺, and to some extent ZnOH⁺ are important species affecting release of Cu and Zn. The distribution coefficient (K_d) values for each metals greatly varied with the types of electrolytes and electrolyte concentration. On the basis of average percentage of metal released under different electrolytes and concentrations the following sequences was found: Cd > Cu > Ni > Zn. The results are important in understanding the mobility of metals under different solutions and indicating that, Cd and Zn soils may pose a higher and lower mobility and ecological risk in contaminated calcareous soils, respectively.     

Cadmium uptake in Escherichia coli K-12.

109Cd2+ uptake by Escherichia coli occurred by means of an active transport system which has a Km of 2.1 microM Cd2+ and a Vmax of 0.83 mumol/min X g (dry weight) in uptake buffer. 109Cd2+ accumulation was both energy dependent and temperature sensitive. The addition of 20 microM Cd2+ or Zn2+ (but not Mn2+) to the cell suspensions preloaded with 109Cd2+ caused the exchange of Cd2+. 109Cd2+ (0.1 microM) uptake by cells was inhibited by the addition of 20 microM Zn2+ but not Mn2+. Zn2+ was a competitive inhibitor of 109Cd2+ uptake with an apparent Ki of 4.6 microM Zn2+. Although Mn2+ did not inhibit 109Cd2+ uptake, the addition of either 20 microM Cd2+ or Zn2+ prevented the uptake of 0.1 microM 54Mn2+, which apparently occurs by a separate transport system. The inhibition of 54Mn2+ accumulation by Cd2+ or Zn2+ did not follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics and had no defined Ki values. Co2+ was a competitive inhibitor of Mn2+ uptake with an apparent Ki of 34 microM Co2+. We were unable to demonstrate an active transport system for 65Zn2+ in E. coli.     

Cesium and cobalt transfer from soil to vegetation on permanent pastures

Summary The Cs transfer from soil into pasture vegetation was investigated by using a variation of experimental conditions: (I) 67 pots with 7 kg soil from 3 marshy and 1 sandy site in the lower Weser region in Northwest Germany are used in a greenhouse with¹³⁴CS under 8 different experimental procedures for 2 harvests; (II) 3 undisturbed 50 kg lysimeters were observed for¹³⁷Cs and⁶⁰Co transfer under outdoor conditions for 4 harvests, depth profiles of the activity were determined afterwards; (III) the transfer of the atmospheric fallout¹³⁷Cs directly to the vegetation and from soil to vegetation after preventing its direct uptake by plastic covers was determined at 4 locations in the open pasture.The experiments resulted in higher Cs transfer in the case of podzolic soil and/or direct injection of Cs solution into the rooting zone of old permanent pasture vegetation while the Cs transfer was about 2–4 fold lower when the radioactive solution was applied to newly sown grass. Transfer often decreases with increasing age of Cs in the soil. In addition, statistical analysis of the widely scattered data did not show significant results for the influence of type of marsh, experimental procedure, soil factors with pH of (4.5–6.1), organic carbon, amount of added Cs (microquantity), exchangeable, K, and total Ca.Some figures are given for⁶⁰Co. The observed transfer factors, combined from all experiments appear lognormally distributed with median values 0.22 on podzolic and 0.09 on marshy soils (Bq/kg fresh plant per Bq/kg air dried soil).Research performed under contract with the Bundesminister des Innern (Federal Minister of Interior), Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany     

Radiocaesium variability within sheep flocks: determination of 137Cs intake in free-ranging sheep

A study is described in which ¹³⁷Cs intake by free-ranging sheep was estimated at two farms in the area of west Cumbria (northwest England) which received some of the highest amounts of fallout from the Chernobyl accident within the United Kingdom. The faecal excretion of ¹³⁷Cs was estimated from faecal ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations and the use of intraruminal controlled release devices containing Cr₂O₃ to determine faecal dry matter output. The intake of ¹³⁷Cs was estimated by assuming an apparent absorption coefficient appropriate to the herbage grazed. The methodology has the advantage that sampling of herbage representative of that ingested by study animals is not required. Caesium-137 dietary intake explained >60% of the observed variability in the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration determined in the muscle of sheep. Resultant transfer coefficient (F _f ) values to describe the transfer of ¹³⁷Cs from the diet to muscle were in agreement with previously reported values. At one farm, there was a positive correlation between the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in muscle and F _f whilst at the other farm there was a negative correlation between F _f and ¹³⁷Cs dietary intake. Potential reasons for these observations are discussed. Received: 6 April 2000 / Accepted: 25 May 2000     

Cadmium-resistant mutant of Bacillus subtilis 168 with reduced cadmium transport.

Cd2+ and Mn2+ accumulation was studied with wild-type Bacillus subtilis 168 and a Cd2+-resistant mutant. After 5 min of incubation in the presence of 0.1 microM 109Cd2+ or 54Mn2+, both strains accumulated comparable amounts of 54Mn2+, while the sensitive cells accumulated three times more 109Cd2+ than the Cd2+-resistant cells did. Both 54Mn2+ and 109Cd2+ uptake, which apparently occur by the same transport system, demonstrated cation specificity; 20 microM Mn2+ or Cd2+ (but not Zn2+) inhibited the uptake of 0.1 microM 109Cd2+ or 54Mn2+. 54Mn2+ and 109Cd2+ uptake was energy dependent and temperature sensitive, but 109Cd2+ uptake in the Cd2+-resistant strain was only partially inhibited by an uncoupler or by a decrease in temperature. 109Cd2+ uptake in the sensitive strain followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a Km of 1.8 microM Cd2+ and a Vmax of 1.5 mumol/min X g (dry weight); 109Cd2+ uptake in the Cd2+-resistant strain was not saturable. The apparent Km value for the saturable component of 109Cd2+ uptake by the Cd2+-resistant strain was very similar to that of the sensitive strain, but the Vmax was 25 times lower than the Vmax for the sensitive strain. The Km and Vmax for 54Mn2+ uptake by both strains were very similar. Cd2+ inhibition of 54Mn2+ uptake had an apparent Ki of 3.4 and 21.5 microM Cd2+ for the sensitive and Cd2+-resistant strains, respectively. Mn2+ had an apparent Ki of 1.2 microM Mn2+ for inhibition of 109Cd2+ uptake by the sensitive strain, but the Cd2+-resistant strain had no defined Ki value for inhibition of Cd2+ uptake by Mn2+.     

Structure and content of pollutants in temporal surface sediments in small watersheds

ABSTRACT

Formation of gel-like surface sediments has been observed during spring and autumn in small watersheds in boreal areas with pH <5.7 and concentrations of humic substances above 3 mg L^?1. This structure efficiently accumulates dissolved, colloidal and particulate constituents. The gel consists of ferric (hydr)oxides and fulvic acid and has high viable counts of bacteria (notably Gallionella spp.) as well as fungal hyphae. The solid/solution distribution (log K_d; l kg^?1) for trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, V, Zn) ranges from 4 to 6.5 which indicate an efficient accumulation during periods with gel. The concentrations of adsorbable organic halogens in the gel were not different from forest soils in general.     

Contrasting accumulation biokinetics and distribution of Am, Co, Cs, Mn and Zn during the whole development time of the eggs of the common cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis

Cuttlefish eggs were exposed to ²⁴¹Am, Co, Cs, Mn and Zn for different periods of time during the 50-d of the embryonic development at 17 °C. Exposures were carried out using background dissolved concentrations of the metals, using the corresponding γ-emitting radiotracers (²⁴¹Am, ⁵⁷Co, ¹³⁴Cs, ⁵⁴Mn and ⁶⁵Zn). Eggs were then placed in non-contaminating conditions. Experiments allowed assessing 1) the uptake and depuration kinetics of the selected elements and 2) their distribution among the different egg compartments (i.e. eggshell, vitellus, peri-vitelline fluid and embryo). ²⁴¹Am, Co and Zn were accumulated continuously by the eggs all along the development time, whereas Mn reached saturation after one month of exposure. Interestingly, the uptake kinetics of Cs tightly followed the weight variation of the eggs, mainly because of water influx/outflux. During the first month of the embryonic life, ²⁴¹Am, Co, Cs, Mn and Zn remained associated with the eggshell, indicating that the latter acted as an efficient shield against their penetration. Nevertheless, from this time onwards, Co, Cs, Mn and Zn accumulated more or less efficiently in the embryo according to the following order: Cs > Zn > Mn > Co. ²⁴¹Am was the only element tested that did not cross the eggshell all along the exposure time. The depuration kinetics revealed that the retention capacity of the eggs varied during the embryonic life. The contrasting accumulation biokinetics are discussed in terms of chemical and biological processes occurring during the cuttlefish egg development.     

Effect of calcium on the absorption and translocation of heavy metals in excised barley roots: Multi-compartment transport box experiment

Summary The effect of Ca on the absorption and translocation of Mn, Zn and Cd in excised barley roots was studied using a multi-compartment transport box technique. A radioisotope (⁵⁴Mn,⁶⁵Zn or^115mCd)-labelled test solution was supplied to the apexes of excised roots and the distribution pattern in the roots was examined in the absence or presence of Ca. Results obtained were as follows. Addition of Ca to the test solution reduced the absorption of Mn and inhibited drastically its translocation in excised roots. With increasing concentrations of Ca in test solutions, its inhibitory effects on the absorption and translocation of Mn became severe. Similar results were observed for the absorption and translocation of Zn. Ca in the test solution decreased the absorption and inhibited drastically the translocation of Zn; as in the case of Mn, higher concentrations of Ca had severe effects on these functions. It was also evident that the addition of Ca to the test solution reduced the absorption of Cd at all levels of Cd concentration (1, 10, and 100 μM). Cd absorption decreased with increasing concentrations of Ca in the test solution. However, Ca accelerated the translocation of Cd in excised roots supplied with test solutions containing up to 10μM Cd. At 100μM Cd, addition of Ca caused a negligibly small acceleration of Cd translocation. The accelerating effect of Ca on Cd translocation, especially “xylem exudation”, decreased markedly with the addition of 2,4-dinitrophenol, but not with the addition of chloramphenicol or p-chloromercuribenzene sulphonic acid. When barley plants were supplied with only CaSO₄ during the entire growing period, that is, plants were not supplied with nutrient solution on the last day of this period, Ca had no accelerating effect on Cd translocation in excised roots.     

The inventories of anthropogenic Ph,Zn, As,Cd, and the radionuclides 137Cs and excess 210Pb in lake sediments of the Adirondack region,USA

We determined the inventories of four anthropogenic trace elements, Pb, Zn, As, and Cd, and two radionuclides, ¹³⁷Cs and excess ²¹⁰Pb, in sediment cores collected from eight remote lakes in the Adirondack region of the northeastern United States. The inventories of all six substances vary considerably among the sediment cores, although the lakes and their associated catchments must have received similar cumulative per unit area atmospheric inputs of these substances. These variations are highly correlated, indicating that the trace elements and radionuclides are affected in a coherent way by the processes controlling their deposition to the sediments of these lakes. Assuming that the anthropogenic trace element inventories in each sediment core are enhanced or depleted relative to cumulative atmospheric deposition to the extent indicated by the sediment core inventories of either ¹³⁷Cs or excess ²¹⁰Pb, we produced estimates of the cumulative atmospheric inputs of the four anthropogenic trace elements to this region. Comparison of the excess ²¹⁰Pb normalized anthropogenic Pb, Zn, Cd inventories of the Adirondack sediment cores with excess ²¹⁰Pb normalized inventories of the same substances in a group of South Central Ontario lakes suggests that the Adirondack region has received greater cumulative anthropogenic inputs of Pb, Zn and Cd by a factor of 1.6, 4.5, and 2.9, respectively.     

Effect of organic complexation on the behaviour of dissolved Cd, Cu and Zn in the Scheldt estuary

Samples from the Scheldt estuary have been assayed for dissolved Cd, Cuand Zn using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, either astotal (after UV irradiation) or labile concentrations. Under theseexperimental conditions, labile concentrations ranged between51–65% of total Cu, 16–66% of total Zn and53–91% of total Cd. The metal–organic interactions wereassessed by evaluating (a) the distribution coefficient K_d forthe distribution of the metals between the liquid phase (complexation) andtheir binding to particulate matter, and (b) the competitive effect exertedby inorganic complexing ligands using a multi–element interactionmodel. The proportion of organically bound metals (strong and labile) wasestimated, in this speciation scheme, to range from 86 to 99% for Cu,from 90 to 96% for Zn, and from 10 to 35% for Cd. From thedissolved organic carbon distribution in the Scheldt (≤ 10 mg Cl^-1 and taking into account competition from major cations Caand Mg, free ligand concentrations available for heavy metal complexationwere estimated to be ≤ 0.15 mg C l^-1. With these values,conditional stability constants for the chelation of Cu, Zn and Cd werecalculated assuming either a single-step or a two-step complexation in thedissolved phase. Given the assumptions made in these models, stabilityconstants in the range of 10^7.8–10^10.6 forCu, 10^7.0–10^9.1 for Zn and10^6.9–10^8.9 for Cd were obtained. Therelevance of these data to previous in vitro and in situ studies isdiscussed taking into consideration current concepts of metal bindingaffinity for organic ligands. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparative study of desert truffles from kuwait and other countries in the middle east for radionuclide concentration

Concentrations of some radionuclides, including¹³⁷Cs, in desert truffles in Kuwait were studied and compared with similar samples from other countries in the Middle East, namely Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia. In addition, sand samples from Kuwait were assayed to calculate the transfer factor of the radionuclides under consideration. The measured concentrations of⁴⁰K,²²⁶Ra, and¹³⁷Cs show that¹³⁷Cs is much higher in Egyptian samples, whereas⁴⁰K is much lower in samples from Tunisia. The average effective dose equivalent calculated for the Kuwaiti population according to their diet habits was found to be in the range 0.14-0.23 ΜS_v/a. The results are compared with values from other countries.     

Cellular uptake of cadmium and zinc

CHO mutants, resistant to over 100-fold of a normally toxic level of extracellular cadmium have been used to examine the mutually antagonistic effect of Cd and Zn on their uptake. Cadmium uptake in these mutants is only 7–10% that of the parental cells. Zinc uptake in these mutants is equal to or greater than that in the wild-type cells. Results of kinetic studies on uptake indicated that the two metals interact by competitive inhibition. TheK _m andK _i values for Cd and/or Zn were different in some of the mutants and indicate multiple carriers may be involved in the transport of these metals. The reduction in Cd uptake and concomitant increase in Zn uptake contribute to the increased Cd resistance in these mutants.     

Concentration of 137Cs, 65Zn,and 85Sr by fresh-water algae

Differences in the concentration and retention of ¹³⁷Cs by unicellular diatoms, filamentous green algae, and filamentous blue-green algae were demonstrated under both batch and continuous-flow culture conditions. ¹³⁷Cs concentration factors were generally higher by a factor of 2 in batch tests than in continuous flow tests. In retention studies, ¹³⁷Cs was desorbed more rapidly from algae under continuous-flow conditions. Studies with blue-green algae indicate that ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in the various species were more closely related to the surface-to-volume ratios of algal cells than to the systematic relationships of the three species. Continuous-flow studies indicated no differences among three species of filamentous green algae in the concentration of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁵Zn, and ⁸⁵Sr. However, the average concentration factors of the radionuclides were considerably different: 3800 for ⁶⁵Zn, 460 for ¹³⁷Cs, and 230 for ⁸⁵Sr. These radionuclides were rapidly desorbed following the transfer of algae to nonradioactive media. The desorption rate was inversely related to the concentration rate.     

Particulate inputs to Dublin Bay and to the South Lagoon,Bull Island

There are substantial riverine and sewage particulate inputs into Dublin Bay. The main river, the R. Liffey, accounts for almost 85% of the riverine input, which amounts to 37.1 t d^–1 of SPM. The sewage input, which is discharged into the estuary, is slightly less at 35.3 t d^–1. The combined inputs deliver 17.4 t d^–1, 2.9 t d^–1and 1.2 t d^–1of particulate C, N and P, respectively, to the Bay as a whole. Although the particulate N load accounts for just 20% of the total N input, the retention of particulates within the system, and the subsequent remobilisation of N from the sediments is heavily implicated in the macroalgal blooms. A particulate mass balance of SPM, and of C, N and P for the South Lagoon showed no consistent pattern of import/export except that the fluxes of the individual elements reflected SPM load and varied with quantity rather than quality. The molar C:N ratio was around 6:1 although on occasion values approaching 3:1 were obtained, indicating very high quality and potentially labile SPM. The controlling factors in the budget appeared to be the water velocities and to a lesser extent, the SPM load, which surprisingly was no greater on a spring tide than on a neap. In this shallow, and primarily intertidal, system, wind- or wave-driven resuspension may exert more influence than predictable factors such as tidal range.     

The attenuation of ultraviolet and visible radiation in Dutch inland waters

The vertical attenuation coefficients (K _d) of downward ultraviolet (UV) and visible irradiance (PAR) were measured in 19 different inland waters in the Netherlands using a scanning spectroradiometer. Water chemistry variables such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), absorbance of dissolved matter (a _d), chlorophyll-a, and particulate matter were measured to determine the relative contribution of dissolved and particulate components in explaining the variation in K _d. In addition to the field measurements, laboratory measurements were performed to test the relationships between water properties and light attenuation. The attenuation properties of Dutch inland waters vary. In most systems the penetration of UV-B radiation (280–320 nm) is limited to the upper decimetres. Lake Maarsseveen was the clearest waterbody in this study, with K _dUVB of 9.1 (m^–1). The DOC concentration had limited power in predicting UV attenuation in this study (r ²=0.33), because of the large differences in carbon-specific absorption. A _d300 was a much better predictor of UV attenuation (r ²=0.75). The relationships obtained in the laboratory experiments can be used to give a good prediction of in situ K _d values, based on 3 variables (chlorophyll-a, ash weight, and absorption of dissolved matter).     

Root uptake and distribution of radiocaesium from contaminated soils and the enhancement of Cs adsorption in the rhizosphere

Uptake by roots from contaminated soil is one of the key steps in the entry of radiocaesium into the food chain. We have measured the uptake by roots of radiocaesium and its transfer to shoots of a heathland grass, sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L.) from two contrasting agricultural soils, a sandy podzol and a clayey calcareous soil. A culture device which keeps the roots separate from the soil was used thus allowing rhizosphere soil to be obtained easily and enhancing the effect of root action. Biomass production and ¹³⁷Cs in shoots and roots were recorded. Cs adsorption was studied on both the initial, nonrhizosphere soil and on rhizosphere soil in dilute soil suspension. Cs desorption was measured by resuspending subsamples of contaminated soil in solutions containing various concentrations of stable Cs. The proportion of Cs fixed, i.e. not readily desorbable, was calculated by comparison of the adsorption and desorption isotherms. Uptake by roots varied considerably between soils and did not appear to be diffusion limited. Root-to-shoot transfer did not differ for the two soils studied. Root action considerably enhanced Cs adsorption on the soils, particularly the in sandy podzol with a low Cs affinity. The value of K_d was increased by up to an order of magnitude. A large proportion of adsorbed Cs was found to be fixed, the K_d was up to seven times greater on desorption than adsorption, indicating that up to 80% of adsorbed Cs was not readily exchangeable. Root action had little effect on the fixed fraction. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.