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Can Aquatic Macrophytes Mobilize Technetium by Oxidizing Their Rhizosphere?
Author(s) -
Sheppard S.C.,
Evenden W.G.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1991.00472425002000040004x
Subject(s) - rhizosphere , macrophyte , oxidizing agent , oryza sativa , environmental chemistry , aquatic plant , anaerobic exercise , bioaccumulation , aeration , environmental science , chemistry , ecology , biology , biochemistry , physiology , genetics , organic chemistry , bacteria , gene
Technetium (Tc) is very mobile in aerated surface environments, but is essentially immobile and biologically unavailable in anaerobic sediments. Aquatic macrophyte roots penetrate anaerobic sediments, carrying O 2 downward and frequently creating oxidizing conditions in their rhizosphere. We hypothesized that this process could mobilize otherwise unavailable Tc, possibly leading to incorporation of Tc into human or animal foods. Through experiments with rice ( Oryza sativa L.), and with a novel artificial macrophyte root, we concluded that this pathway is unlikely to be important for annual plants, especially in soils with a high biological oxygen demand. The relatively slow oxidation of Tc limited its mobilization by short‐lived root systems.