Laboratory evaluation of interception and translocation factors of 59Fe and 60Co in Indian spinach

Interception and translocation factors for some of the important activation products like 54Mn, 59Fe and 60Co are of use in hazard evaluation of atmospheric contamination from accidental releases. Deposition on leafy vegetables which are consumed fresh is one of the important pathways of radionuclides reaching man. In the work reported here results of laboratory scale investigation on interception and translocation of 59Fe and 60Co by spinach plants are discussed. The interception factors obtained for 59Fe and 60Co are, respectively, 0.51 and 0.06 m3 kg−1. 60Co is found more mobile than 59Fe even through the latter translocates from surface quickly and to a greater extent.