J. Agric.
Food Chem. 1981, 29, 915-920
915
Absorption, Transport, and Chemical Fate of Plutonium in Soybean Plants Thomas R. Garland, Dominic A. Cataldo,* and Raymond E. Wildung Absorption of plutonium (Pu) by soybean plants (Glycine mux cv. Williams) is limited by Pu solubility in soils. Changes in Pu concentration in different tissues with time to senescence indicate Pu is freely transported through the xylem during growth but not subject to remobilization on flowering. Studies in which the DTPA complex of T u was supplied to the plant suggest a change in chemical form following root absorption. Of the Pu in roots, stems, and leaves at senescence, 28,54,and 67%, respectively, were soluble. The Pu in the soluble fraction was primarily associated with components of >loo00 equivalent molecular weight in leaves and roots, whereas stems exhibited an equal distribution between components in the >10 000 and
