Resorption of cesium radionuclides by various fungi.

Uptake of 134Cs, 137Cs and 40K is determined by gamma-ray spectroscopy for samples of fungi and humus. For these samples also the stable Cs content is determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The fungi resorpted only the alkali metals and none of the other fission products from the Chernobyl accident. The measurements show a large variation in space and time for fungi of the same species in the stable and radioactive cesium content. Compared to this variation the variation between the different species is in general small. Cs content in mycorrhizal fungi is in general higher than in saprophytic fungi, but differences in absorption in saprophytic and mycorrhizal fungi could not be confirmed. The assumption that certain saprophytic fungi mainly grow in either litter, fermentation or humus layer is not supported by this experiment.