Distribution of radionuclides in forest soils of varying pedochemistry

The distribution of radionuclides in soils has been investigated by low-lev el gamma spectrometry. Four forest sites of different soil types and local vegetation located in Saxony/Germany at Lausnitz, Colditz and two sections at Olbernhau were chosen. For each section thin-layer sampling was applied. The analysed radioisotopes included artificial, cosmogenic and natural nuc lides. The radionuclide migration in the investigated soils was found to be governed by the chemical conditions of the layer. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.