RESUMEN
Contamination of soil with Americium (241Am) at nuclear sites in China poses a serious problem. We screened six plants, from five families, for their 241Am-enrichment potential. Europium (Eu), which is morphologically and chemically similar to the highly toxic 241Am, was used in its place. Moreover, the effects of sylvite, citric acid (CA), malic acid (MA), and humic acid (HA) on the absorption of 241Am by the plants, and its transport within them, were evaluated along with their effect on plant biomass and 241Am extraction volume. Barley and cabbage showed relatively stronger Eu accumulation capacities. Citric acid promoted the absorption of 241Am by barley roots and its transport within the plants. The effects of sylvite were not obvious and those of HA were the weakest in case of sunflower; HA, however, maximally increased the biomass of the plants. Our results could provide the basis for future radionuclide phytoremediation of contaminated soils.
