In northern Saskatchewan, Canada, there are several active and decommissioned uranium mines and mills licensed by Canada's nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). In these areas, Indigenous communities harvest traditional foods and Canadian diet studies have identified wild berries as an important part of their diet (Furgal, Powell, & Myers, 2005), (Roseanne C. Schuster, 2011), (Health Canada, 2010). Food ingestion is recognized as an exposure pathway of anthropogenic and naturally occurring radioactive materials and trace metals (Kuhnlein & Chan, 2000) and some communities may be concerned their traditional foods are contaminated from facility operations. Wild blueberries and the soil the plant roots grew in were sampled approximately 10-25 kms away from CNSC-licensed facilities in northern Saskatchewan. As a comparison, commercially-available blueberries and soil were collected from Ontario farms and blueberries were obtained from grocery stores. Samples were analyzed for trace elemental concentrations by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and radionuclide activity concentrations were measured. Annual ingestion dose for blueberry consumption was conservatively estimated to be 0.0079 mSv/a. The blueberry results were compared to international guidelines and published literature and were not found to pose an ingestion health risk. The activity concentrations in blueberries ranged between 0.001-0.006 Bq/g d.w. for ²¹⁰Po and 0.003-0.005 Bq/g d.w. for ²¹⁰Pb and the concentrations of cadmium and arsenic in blueberries ranged between 0.002-0.07 μg/g and 0.0002-0.007 μg/g, respectively. This research project identifies geochemical relationships between radionuclides and trace elements in blueberries, examines the uptake chemistry, environmental cycling of radionuclides and trace elements, and the soil mineralogy and composition, helps inform CNSC's regulatory decision-making process, and supports future human health risk communication with Indigenous communities.

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Combustion of fossil fuels has contributed to many environmental problems including acid deposition. The Clean Air Act (CAA) was created to reduce ecological problems by cutting emissions of sulfur and nitrogen. Reduced emissions and rainfall concentrations of acidic ions have been observed since the enactment of the CAA, but soils continue to receive some acid inputs. Soils sensitive to acid deposition have been found to have low pH, a loss of base cations and a shift in the mineral phase controlling the activity of Al3+ and/or SO42-. If inputs continue, soil may be depleted of base cations and saturated with Al and could cause low forest productivity. Soil solutions from lysimeters were taken in the Daniel Boone National Forest to evaluate potential impacts of acid deposition. In addition, tree-ring growth and chemical analysis created a timeline of forest health and ion accumulation. Physicochemical characteristics of the soils revealed that sites were very low in base saturation and pH and high in exchangeable acidity. Soil solution data indicated that sites periodically received high acid inputs leading to saturation of Al in soils and the formation of Al-hydroxy-sulfate minerals. Given these conditions, long-term changes in soil chemistry from acid deposition are acknowledged.

The most frequent soils in the São Paulo State Coastal Plain are Podzols, characterized by strong to moderate hydromorphic to well-drained podzolization with very well developed podzol-B horizons (Bh or Bhm). Podzolization processes include the effects of hydrology and rooting on profile morphology and the subsequent effects of improved drainage. A Podzol chrono-hydrosequence was described in detail on a cliff at the south coast of Ilha Comprida, a Holocene barrier island, and allowed a subdivision into four distinct groups: poorly-drained profiles, profiles with well-drained B horizons, strongly rooted profiles and superposed profiles. The morphological description and some observations about the exposure cliff were essential for grouping and differentiating the podzol profiles. Some well-drained podzols have OM-depleted mottles that are related to selective decomposition of organic matter (OM) by microorganisms. Such mottles are frequently associated to root channels. Seventeen profiles were studied, thirteen had depletion mottles scattered along the profile. Most of these mottles are whitish and are located preferentially in the horizons of transition between the E and B horizons, particularly in conditions of good drainage. Such mottles have certain morphological differences and may be grouped according to similarities in their morphology and their position in the profile. Distinct groups are: (a) concentric OM-depleted mottles; (b) circular/tubular OM-depleted mottles (burrows); (c) dotted OM-depleted mottles; (d) ghost OM-depleted mottles; (e) irregular OM-depleted mottles and (f) Fe-depleted mottles. The chemical composition of soil organic matter was studied in detail using pyrolysis in combination with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Samples of all horizons of the distinct profiles studied were taken, as well as from the center of the mottle (M) and from the direct surroundings (S). The processes involved in the genesis of Podzols in the sandy coastal plain are directly related to drainage, the contribution of dissolved organic matter (DOM), the contribution of organic matter derived from roots, the chemical composition of organic matter and its decomposition by microorganisms, causing a large variation in adjacent Podzols. The well-drained Podzols differ in characteristics from the poorly drained ones in composition and deposition of OM, as well as its decomposition, which is directly related to the activity of groups of microorganisms. They also differ in the relative contribution of OM-derived from roots and DOM. There is a wide variation in the characteristics of decomposition by microorganisms between the profiles of Podzols permanently exposed to air and marine spray (the cliffs) on Ilha Comprida and those inland (pits). There are therefore two main processes that change the morphology of Podzols (OM and composition): (a) change in drainage and rooting, and (b) exposure to air. / Os solos mais frequentes na Planície Costeira do Estado de São Paulo são os podzóis, caracterizados por podzolização com hidromorfismo forte a moderado a bem drenado com horizontes B-podzol muito bem desenvolvidos (Bh ou Bhm). O processo de podzolização inclui os efeitos da hidrologia e do enraizamento no perfil e os efeitos subsequentes da drenagem melhorada. Uma crono-hidrosequencia de podzóis foi descrita em detalhes em um barranco na costa sul da Ilha Comprida, uma ilha barreira do Holoceno, e permitiu uma subdivisão em quatro grupos distintos: perfis mal drenados, perfis com horizonte B bem drenados, perfis fortemente enraizados e perfis superpostos. A descrição morfológica e algumas observações sobre o barranco exposto foram essenciais para o agrupamento e diferenciar os perfis de podzóis. Alguns desses podzóis bem drenados possuem manchas esbranquiçadas que estão relacionadas com a seletiva decomposição da matéria orgânica (MO) por microorganismos. Tais manchas são freqüentemente associadas aos canais radiculares. Foram estudados dezessete perfis, dos quais treze apresentaram manchas de esgotamento espalhadas ao longo do perfil. A maioria destas manchas são esbranquiçadas e estão localizadas preferencialmente nos horizontes de transição entre os horizontes E e B, particularmente em condições de boa drenagem. Tais manchas possuem algumas diferenças morfológicas e puderam ser agrupadas de acordo com semelhanças na sua morfologia e da sua posição no perfil. Os grupos são: (a) manchas concêntricas de depleção da MO; (b) manchas circulares/tubularess de depleção da MO (tocas); (c) manchas pontilhadas de depleção da MO; (d) manchas fantasmas de depleção da MO; (e) manchas irregulares de depleção da MO; e (f) manchas de depleção de Fe. A composição química da matéria orgânica do solo foi estudada em detalhe por pirólise em combinação com cromatografia em fase gasosa/espectrometria de massa (Py-CG/EM). Amostras de todos os horizontes dos perfis estudados foram coletadas, bem como amostras do centro das manchas (M) e do solo adjacente (S). Os processos envolvidos na gênese de podzóis da planície costeira arenosa estão diretamente relacionados com a drenagem, a contribuição de matéria orgânica dissolvida (MOD), a contribuição de matéria orgânica derivada de raízes, a composição química da matéria orgânica e sua decomposição por microorganismos, causando uma grande variação no podzóis. Os podzóis bem drenados diferem em características dos mal drenados em composição e deposição de MO, bem como a sua decomposição, que está directamente relacionada com a actividade dos grupos de microrganismos. Eles também diferem na contribuição relativa da MO derivada de raízes e MOD. Existe uma grande variação nas características da decomposição por microorganismos entre os perfis de podzóis permanentemente expostas ao ar e spray marinho (falésias) na Ilha Comprida e os do interior (trincheiras). Há, portanto, dois processos principais que alteram a morfologia de podzóis (composição da MO): (a) mudança na drenagem e enraizamento, e (b) a exposição ao ar.

The most frequent soils in the São Paulo State Coastal Plain are Podzols, characterized by strong to moderate hydromorphic to well-drained podzolization with very well developed podzol-B horizons (Bh or Bhm). Podzolization processes include the effects of hydrology and rooting on profile morphology and the subsequent effects of improved drainage. A Podzol chrono-hydrosequence was described in detail on a cliff at the south coast of Ilha Comprida, a Holocene barrier island, and allowed a subdivision into four distinct groups: poorly-drained profiles, profiles with well-drained B horizons, strongly rooted profiles and superposed profiles. The morphological description and some observations about the exposure cliff were essential for grouping and differentiating the podzol profiles. Some well-drained podzols have OM-depleted mottles that are related to selective decomposition of organic matter (OM) by microorganisms. Such mottles are frequently associated to root channels. Seventeen profiles were studied, thirteen had depletion mottles scattered along the profile. Most of these mottles are whitish and are located preferentially in the horizons of transition between the E and B horizons, particularly in conditions of good drainage. Such mottles have certain morphological differences and may be grouped according to similarities in their morphology and their position in the profile. Distinct groups are: (a) concentric OM-depleted mottles; (b) circular/tubular OM-depleted mottles (burrows); (c) dotted OM-depleted mottles; (d) ghost OM-depleted mottles; (e) irregular OM-depleted mottles and (f) Fe-depleted mottles. The chemical composition of soil organic matter was studied in detail using pyrolysis in combination with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Samples of all horizons of the distinct profiles studied were taken, as well as from the center of the mottle (M) and from the direct surroundings (S). The processes involved in the genesis of Podzols in the sandy coastal plain are directly related to drainage, the contribution of dissolved organic matter (DOM), the contribution of organic matter derived from roots, the chemical composition of organic matter and its decomposition by microorganisms, causing a large variation in adjacent Podzols. The well-drained Podzols differ in characteristics from the poorly drained ones in composition and deposition of OM, as well as its decomposition, which is directly related to the activity of groups of microorganisms. They also differ in the relative contribution of OM-derived from roots and DOM. There is a wide variation in the characteristics of decomposition by microorganisms between the profiles of Podzols permanently exposed to air and marine spray (the cliffs) on Ilha Comprida and those inland (pits). There are therefore two main processes that change the morphology of Podzols (OM and composition): (a) change in drainage and rooting, and (b) exposure to air. / Os solos mais frequentes na Planície Costeira do Estado de São Paulo são os podzóis, caracterizados por podzolização com hidromorfismo forte a moderado a bem drenado com horizontes B-podzol muito bem desenvolvidos (Bh ou Bhm). O processo de podzolização inclui os efeitos da hidrologia e do enraizamento no perfil e os efeitos subsequentes da drenagem melhorada. Uma crono-hidrosequencia de podzóis foi descrita em detalhes em um barranco na costa sul da Ilha Comprida, uma ilha barreira do Holoceno, e permitiu uma subdivisão em quatro grupos distintos: perfis mal drenados, perfis com horizonte B bem drenados, perfis fortemente enraizados e perfis superpostos. A descrição morfológica e algumas observações sobre o barranco exposto foram essenciais para o agrupamento e diferenciar os perfis de podzóis. Alguns desses podzóis bem drenados possuem manchas esbranquiçadas que estão relacionadas com a seletiva decomposição da matéria orgânica (MO) por microorganismos. Tais manchas são freqüentemente associadas aos canais radiculares. Foram estudados dezessete perfis, dos quais treze apresentaram manchas de esgotamento espalhadas ao longo do perfil. A maioria destas manchas são esbranquiçadas e estão localizadas preferencialmente nos horizontes de transição entre os horizontes E e B, particularmente em condições de boa drenagem. Tais manchas possuem algumas diferenças morfológicas e puderam ser agrupadas de acordo com semelhanças na sua morfologia e da sua posição no perfil. Os grupos são: (a) manchas concêntricas de depleção da MO; (b) manchas circulares/tubularess de depleção da MO (tocas); (c) manchas pontilhadas de depleção da MO; (d) manchas fantasmas de depleção da MO; (e) manchas irregulares de depleção da MO; e (f) manchas de depleção de Fe. A composição química da matéria orgânica do solo foi estudada em detalhe por pirólise em combinação com cromatografia em fase gasosa/espectrometria de massa (Py-CG/EM). Amostras de todos os horizontes dos perfis estudados foram coletadas, bem como amostras do centro das manchas (M) e do solo adjacente (S). Os processos envolvidos na gênese de podzóis da planície costeira arenosa estão diretamente relacionados com a drenagem, a contribuição de matéria orgânica dissolvida (MOD), a contribuição de matéria orgânica derivada de raízes, a composição química da matéria orgânica e sua decomposição por microorganismos, causando uma grande variação no podzóis. Os podzóis bem drenados diferem em características dos mal drenados em composição e deposição de MO, bem como a sua decomposição, que está directamente relacionada com a actividade dos grupos de microrganismos. Eles também diferem na contribuição relativa da MO derivada de raízes e MOD. Existe uma grande variação nas características da decomposição por microorganismos entre os perfis de podzóis permanentemente expostas ao ar e spray marinho (falésias) na Ilha Comprida e os do interior (trincheiras). Há, portanto, dois processos principais que alteram a morfologia de podzóis (composição da MO): (a) mudança na drenagem e enraizamento, e (b) a exposição ao ar.