Edaphic factors affecting the vertical distribution of radionuclides in the different soil types of Belgrade, Serbia
Abstract
The specific activities of natural radionuclides (40K, 226Ra and 232Th) and Chernobyl-derived 137Cs were measured in soil profiles representing typical soil types of Belgrade (Serbia): chernozems, fluvisols, humic gleysols, eutric cambisols, vertisols and gleyic fluvisols. The influence of soil properties and content of stable elements on radionuclide distribution down the soil profiles (at 5 cm intervals up to 50 cm depth) was analysed. Correlation analysis identified associations of 40K, 226Ra and 137Cs with fine-grained soil fractions. Significant positive correlations were found between 137Cs specific activity and both organic matter content and