Transect survey of artificial 137Cs and natural 40K in moss and bilberry leaf samples from two main valleys from Tatra National Park

This paper presents the results of determination of artificial 137Cs and natural 40K activity concentrations in plants (bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and moss (Polytrichum commune)) and in soil samples from two main Tatra Valleys; Kościeliska and Rybi Potok Valley. The data were obtained during two years (2001- 02). These plants are known a as good bio-monitors for radioceasium [1,2 ]. It is known that 137Cs and 40K isotopes play important roles in the environment, due to their good assimilation by plants. The transfer of these elements from soil to plant depends of many factors: type of soil, organic matter contents, pH, type of plants. In this paper some results concerning the transfer of 137 Cs and 40K isotopes from various types of Tatra soil to moss or bilberry are shown.