Abstract

Bioaccumulation of 137Cs and 60Co from radioactive waste streams using Veronica anagallis-aquatica

Author(s): T.A.Bayoumi

Efficiency of Veronica anagallis-aquatica plants for bioaccumulation/biostabilization of 137Cs and 60Co fromradwaste solution simulates was evaluated on batchwise laboratory scale experiments. The plants were added to the spiked solutions having four different initial activity concentrations of 137Cs and 60Co. Additional factors such pH values, the amount of biomass and the light exposure that assumed to affect the treatment process were studied systematically. The uptake values of 137Cs fromthe simulated waste solution were inversely proportional to the initial activity contents and directly proportional to increase in the plant mass and sunlight exposure. Bioaccumulation of 60Co is independent on its initial activity concentrations. The spiked solution of pH 4.9 was found to be the suitable medium for the treatment process. The present study suggests that Veronica anagallis-aquatica could be used as a potential candidate plant for phytoremediation for the radioactive wastes especially those contaminated with radiocesium and/or radiocobalt.