Heavy metal effect on uptake and translocation of Cs-134 and Sr-85 in aubergine plants

Aubergine plants were treated either with radionuclides or with heavy metal s and subsequently (24 h after) with radionuclides, in order to determine t he effects of heavy metals (Zn, Cd and Ni) on the behaviour of radiocesium and radiostrontium in plants; the treatments were carried out at anthesis a nd when fruits were present. It was observed that the treatment of leaves a nd fruits with heavy metals did not influence the direct uptake of radionuc lides and their translocation. Cs-134 deposited on the surface of the leaves is transferred to the edible parts of plants to the extent of 0.70% (anthesis) and 0.45% (with covered f ruits), while the translocation of Sr-85 was found to be negligible, as com pared with radiocesium (0.007 and 0.001%, respectively). Strontium activity in fruits is more largely due to direct uptake, while cesium activity in f ruits is due to both direct uptake and translocation from leaves. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.