Multiple Regression Model Application for Assessment of Soil Properties Influence on 137Cs Accumulation in Forest Soils

The work focuses on application of linear regression method for assessment of soil physicochemical parameters influence on 137Cs accumulation. Besides organic matter content and pH, the parameters related to sorption properties of mineral parts and mobile ions concentration were considered. Before linear regression model is applied the data were transformed using Box–Cox formula. Selection of explanatory variables for regression was based on Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Analysis of residuals distribution showed that linear regression can be applied for assessment of Cs+ accumulation in soil horizons. The important conclusion is that Cs+ cation migration in soil is usually influenced by more than a single horizon parameter. Common influence of two or more parameters on 137Cs activity in soil horizon was observed. Our results suppose that migration of Cs in soil is affected mainly by horizon’s acidity, presence of minerals and ion exchangeable substances. Some processes are probably affected by Cs+ individual properties, but other ones are not so selective.