ABSTRACT This study addresses the existing research gap concerning the lack of integrated data on the role of in situ soil components in the long‐term fixation of 137 Cs under natural, protected, and non‐agricultural conditions. The contamination of ecosystems by radioactive isotopes, particularly 137 Cs, represents a considerable environmental hazard. This investigation sought to identify cesium ion absorption sites in soils collected from Karkonosze National Park to improve understanding of cesium retention mechanisms. The research was conducted within the protected area to reduce anthropogenic impacts. A radiological assessment was performed on individual soil fractions. Gamma spectrometry and specific mineralogical analyses were employed to evaluate radionuclide concentrations and to determine the risk scale. The 137 Cs distribution ranges from 70.1 ± 3.9 Bq m −2 to 18.8 ± 1.1 kBq m −2 , with the highest concentrations in the southeast and is higher than the average value for Poland. The findings illustrate that cesium, primarily a residue from the Chernobyl disaster, exhibited an uneven distribution, with elevated concentrations in soils enriched with clay minerals. The results suggest that clay minerals identified through mineralogical analysis in the research area have a strong capacity to retain 137 Cs, highlighting their potential as natural sorbents in environmental decontamination processes. The level of natural radioactivity expressed as Adsorbed Dose Rate (ADR) (51–153 nGy h −1 ) is higher than recorded in Poland, attributable to the area's geological structure. These studies offer insight into cesium–soil interactions, supporting the development of more effective remediation strategies and highlighting soil's potential as a natural sorbent for decontamination.
Szarłowicz et al. (Tue,) studied this question.