HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Burton, J. D. Articles by Owen, H. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Burton, J. D. Articles by Owen, H. M. Agricola Articles by Burton, J. D. Articles by Owen, H. M.

Profile of Natural Radioactivity in Hartsells Loam

ABSTRACT

During summer of 1961 bulk samples at 4-inch to 30 inches depth increments were collected at 15 random locations within an apparently uniform single acre of forest soil, Hartsells loam, under oak-hickory sawtimber on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. Net radioactivity, total potassium content, and mechanical fractions were determined in the laboratory. After samples were stored in sealed containers for 7 days, activity was counted again and found to be increased. Linear regressions of initial activity on silt-plus-clay and on K, K on silt-plus-clay, and 7-day activity on clay, on K, and on 1-day activity were highly significant. Distributions of K, and of initial activity in the soil profile were more closely related to the profile of total fines than to the clay curve. Initial activity was believed to be due largely to K⁴⁰, but activity gain during storage was probably due to daughters of U²³⁸.

¹ Burton is on the staff of the Southern Forest Exp. Sta., Forest Service, USDA. Guenther is Associate Professor of Chemistry, and Owen is Chairman of the Biology Department, Univ. of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.

Received for publication November 4, 1963. Accepted for publication January 15, 1964.