The Distribution of 137 Cs in Selected Compartments of Coniferous Forests in the Czech Republic

Sources of the airborne radionuclide 137Cs and published data about the input and redistribution of 137Cs activity concentrations in temperate coniferous forest are briefly evaluated. Information about the crucial global- and Chernobyl-derived 137Cs fallout loads and a most recent minute 137Cs deposition rate derived from the Fukushima radioactive leak across the Czech Republic is reported, along with selected results from two large-scale investigations of the distribution of 137Cs activity concentrations in forest floor humus (in Oh horizons) and in outer spruce bark throughout the Czech Republic (1995–2010). The 137Cs activity concentration distributions and speed of vertical migration of 137Cs were evaluated in forest soil profiles at six localities affected by the Chernobyl fallout. The 137Cs activity concentrations measured in annual and biennial spruce and pine needles, two grass species and one moss at three localities are also presented. Finally, a summary of other sources of data on 137Cs in forest compartments in the country are given.