[An estimation of the half-life periods of 137Cs content in the root-inhabited soil layer of meadow ecosystems].

A model of vertical migration of 137Cs was developed with taking into account the sorption of this radionuclide by soil. The parameters of the model and prediction of vertical distribution of radionuclides in soils are estimated for a wide range of meadows and soils, typical of various regions of Russia contaminated after the accident at the Chernobyl NPP. Ecological half-lives of the 137Cs content in the root-containing zone of soil were calculated. It was shown that a contribution of self-purification of soils into an overall decrease in the 137Cs content in the root-containing zone (0-10 cm) varies from 2.2% for sandy loam soils (dry meadows) to 99% for peaty soils (peat-bog meadows).