A Novel Approach to Monitoring the Cs-137 Contamination of Forest Soils in Bavaria, Germany

Authors

  • Jennifer Winkelbauer Technische Universität München, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Department of Geomorphology and Soil Science, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising
  • Jörg Völkel Technische Universität München, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Department of Geomorphology and Soil Science, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising
  • Matthias Leopold Technische Universität München, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Department of Geomorphology and Soil Science, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising

Abstract

Regarding the radioactive fission product Cs-137, particularly forest soils are hot spots of long-term contamination. Previous studies have indicated that monitoring should take account of the exceptional role of humus for Cs-137 mobility and bioavailability to effectively evaluate contamination patterns and to enhance future protection strategies in forests. As official programmes in Bavaria lack such considerations, a new monitoring project has been established together with the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Public Health, focussing on humus-controlling landscape parameters (relief, vegetation etc.) as crucial core criteria. Comprising a total of 48 sites, the project provides a solid base for future research. Both the site selection process and first results are presented here.

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Published

2012-09-17

How to Cite

Winkelbauer, J., Völkel, J., & Leopold, M. (2012). A Novel Approach to Monitoring the Cs-137 Contamination of Forest Soils in Bavaria, Germany. DIE ERDE – Journal of the Geographical Society of Berlin, 143(1-2), 23–47. Retrieved from https://www.die-erde.org/index.php/die-erde/article/view/22

Issue

Vol. 143 No. 1-2 (2012): Miscellaneous Issue

Section

Research articles

License

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.