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~~ u • <br />' "expected" baseline levels cannot be specifically conclusive of cor~tamination <br />since the particular plant or plants sampled may be capable selective uptake <br />and concentration of radionuclides in their tissues. Also, no meaningful <br />tests exist for plant available radium or uranium in soil, nor haves species <br />been identified which are known to concentrate radionuclides metabolically. <br />Therefore, analytical data resulting from this proposed study must be <br />interpreted with great caution. Studies beyond the scope of the ore pro- <br />posed herein may be necessary before evidence can be considered conclusive. <br />Figure 1 illustrates the possible sources of radionuclides in above ground <br />plant tissue. <br />METHODS <br />Herbaceous and shrubby plants will be collected from various locations in and <br />around the ore sorter permit area. Plants will also be collected i'rom at <br />least one location along the haul road between the sorter and the reject <br />pile. Samples will be labeled according to location, species, date, <br />phenology, and where applicable, part of plant. Sampling will be conducted <br />at each location two or three times during the growing season. Except as <br />noted in the following paragraph, ail above ground current year's growth <br />will be harvested for herbaceous species. For shrubs, current vegetative <br />growth will be harvested. All species will be analyzed separately. <br />Replicate samples of some species at same locations will be collected and <br />rinsed in a dilute acid solution and distilled water in the field. This <br />treatment will help ascertain what proportion of radionuclides detected in <br />unrinsed samples is systemic in the plant versus deposited on the surface <br />as airborne dust. As the study progresses, interest may develop, teased on <br />initial analytical results, in the separate analyses of leaves, stems, <br />reproductive parts, or roots of sampled plants. <br />