BIOINDICATORS IN THE TROPICAL FOREST OF KAIGA ENVIRONMENT

Investigations on the natural and artificial fallout radionuclides Po- 210 and Cs-137 and the primordial radionuclide K-40 in the prominent t ree species of Western Ghat tropical forest near Kaiga have been carri ed out as a part of baseline background radiation studies in the envir onment of Kaiga where nuclear power reactors are being installed. The prominent tree species of the region Tectona grandis L.f. and Terminal ia paniculata Roth., and the commonly available epiphytic plant specie s Pterobryopsis tumida (Hook.) Dix. and Cymbidium aliofolium (Lo) Swar tz. were chosen and concentrations of K-40, Po-210 and Cs-137 were mea sured employing well-established nuclear techniques. The different par ts of Cumbidium aloifolium (Lo) Swartz. such as leaves, stem, etc. wer e analysed to understand the absorption mechanism of fallout radionucl ides. From a careful analysis of the results, the epiphytic plant spec ies are identified as bioindicators to monitor fallout radionuclides.