Experimental studies on the deposition to crops of radioactive gases released from gas-cooled reactors -II. Hydrogen sulphide-35

Experimental studies were performed in a controlled environment to determine the deposition velocity of H₂³⁵S to major British crops, as part of a validation exercise for models developed by Nuclear Electric PLC in the UK. Following initial uptake of the gas, the subsequent fate of the ³⁵S was quantified up to maturity. Deposition velocities varied between 0.05 and 4.46 cm³g^-1s^-1 and 0.0007 and 2.67 cms^-1 on a weight- and area basis, respectively. Overall, allocation of ³⁵S derived from H₂S followed the growth pattern of individual organs, similar to earlier studies with COS, while the prime loss mechanism for the radionuclides appeared to be radioactive decay.