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A comparison of stable caesium uptake by six grass species of contrasting growth strategy

Willey, Neil J.; Martin, Michael H.; Willey, Neil; Martin, Michael H

Authors

Neil J. Willey

Michael H. Martin

Neil Willey Neil.Willey@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Env Plant Physiology

Michael H Martin



Abstract

Six plant species in the family Gramineae were used to investigate the relationship between Cs uptake, nutrient regime and plant growth strategy sensu Grime. The roots of 66 day old Elymus repens (L.) Gould., Bromus sterilis L., Agrostis stolonifera L., Anthoxanthum odoratum L., Festuca ovina L. and Nardus stricta L. plants grown in acid-washed sand at high and low nutrient levels were exposed to a 96 h pulse of stable Cs at 0.05 mM, 0.15 mM, 0.3 mM, 1.0 mM and 3.0 mM concentrations. Different nutrient regimes induced large differences in dry wt in E. repens, B. sterilis and A. stolonifera plants but only small differences in N. stricta and F. ovina plants. At high nutrient concentrations, A. stolonifera, A. odoratum, F. ovina and N. stricta shoots showed significantly greater increases in internal Cs concentration with rising external Cs concentrations than did E. repens and B. sterilis shoots. The relationship between increases in shoot and external Cs concentrations was statistically indistinguishable between species in plants grown at the low nutrient concentration. These patterns of Cs uptake ensured that with long-term high K concentrations the move competitive plants (E. repens and B. sterilis) accumulated higher concentrations of Cs from low external concentrations than did non-competitive plants or competitive plants grown at low nutrient levels. It is suggested that the relationship between plant growth strategy sensu Grime and Cs accumulation patterns may help to explain the different concentrations to which species accumulate radiocaesium from the soil.

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jun 19, 1997
Deposit Date Feb 23, 2015
Journal Environmental Pollution
Print ISSN 0269-7491
Electronic ISSN 1873-6424
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 95
Issue 3
Pages 311-317
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491%2896%2900144-3
Keywords caesium, plant growth strategy, radiocaesium burdens, ion accumulation
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1103922
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(96)00144-3
Contract Date Nov 15, 2016