Terrestrial Radioecology in Tropical Systems

Abstract In this Chapter we consider radionuclide uptake and translocation in tropical crops and ecosystems. There are many commonalities across all ecosystems because of the consistent, underlying mechanisms controlling the fate and behaviour of radioactivity in any environment. The basic radioecological concepts and models are described to cover these processes. However, the tropics and sub-tropics include much dissimilarity by way of soil types, agricultural methods, climate, plants and animals which give rise to different outcomes from those processes. Billions of people across the tropics and sub-tropics are supported by agricultural systems very different from those traditionally applied in more developed regions of the planet. Higher populations will do so in the foreseeable future. Given the push for nuclear developments in the region, the tropics will need greater attention now. Much of the science is under review but the available data, pertinent to tropical systems, has been summarised or the database identified for the reader. The conditions of tropical soil types and the factors influencing radionuclide biogeochemistry (which affects bioavailability and bioaccessibility) are discussed. Specific sections covering rice, tropical fruits and the limited data for tropical animals are included.