REAL-TIME MEASUREMENT OF UPTAKE AND TRANSLOCATION OF CS-137 WITHIN MYCELIUM OF SCHIZOPHYLLUM-COMMUNE FR BY AUTORADIOGRAPHY FOLLOWED BY QUANTITATIVE IMAGE-ANALYSIS

A new technique, autoradiography followed by quantitative image analys is, provides a powerful, non-destructive method for measurement of rad iolabel distribution and translocation throughout fungal mycelia. Usin g this technique radiocaesium was found to be translocated by bulk flo w in actively expanding mycelium of S. commune but by diffusion in est ablished mycelium in microcosms. Differentiation of hyphae to form pri mordia in preparation for basidiocarp production was found to introduc e heterogeneity into the distribution of radiocaesium in mycelia which could later be reversed by diffusion. Mycelium of S. commune was not conservative for radiocaesium, losing significant amounts to the mediu m; it is suggested that binding to soil particles may be more signific ant in terms of long-term retention of this radionuclide in the enviro nment. These processes may account in part for the high and variable c oncentrations of radiocaesium found in mushrooms in the environment.