A Note on Anatomical Changes of White Oak Wood Upon Exposure to Gamma Radiation

Authors

  • P. K. Tabirih
  • E. A. McGinnes
  • M. A. Kay
  • C. A. Harlow

Keywords:

<i>Quercus alba</i>, irradiated wood, gamma radiation, anatomy, ultrastructure, chemical analysis

Abstract

White oak heartwood samples were exposed to 650, 950 and 1900 MRad of cobalt-60 gamma radiation. The holocellulose portion of the heartwood cell walls was degraded while the lignin percentage remained relatively unchanged. Tangential vessel diameter, ray cell length, and length and width of intervessel pits increased upon exposure while tangential vessel-wall thickness, ray cell double-wall thickness, and latewood fiber double-wall thickness decreased.

References

Antoine, R. C., T. Avella, and J. C. Van Eyseren. 1971. Studies of wood treated with high doses of gamma radiation. I.A.W.A. Bull. 1971 4:11-14.nBrowning, B. L. 1967. Methods of wood chemistry. Interscience Publishers, New York. Vol. 2:785-787.nHarlow, C. A., S. Dwyer, III, and G. Lodwick. 1975. On radiographic image analysis. Spec. Publ. College of Engr., Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO. pp. 9-48.nLawton, E. J., W. D. Bellamy, R. E. Hungate, M. P. Bryant, and E. Hall. 1951. Some effects of high velocity electrons on wood. Science 113:380-382.nMcGinnes, E. A., Jr., C. A. Harlow, and F. C. Beall. 1976. Use of scanning electron microscopy and image processing in wood charcoal studies. Scanning Electron Microscopy 1976. Part VII. Proceedings of the Workshop on Plant Science Applications of the SEM. IIT Research Institute, Chicago, IL.nRemmert, Le Mar F., and J. S. Butts. 1955. Preliminary investigation of possible use of sawdust for livestock feed. O.A.E.S. 183. Oregon Agric. Exp. Sta., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR.nSchuller, C. E., J. E. Schottafer, and R. G. Campana. 1975. Effect of radiation in vivo on flexural properties of American elm. Wood Sci. 7(3):209-212.nSeifert, K. 1964. Zur chemie gamma bestrahlten Holzes. Holz Roh-Werkst. 22:267-275.n

Downloads

Published

2007-06-19

Issue

Section

Research Contributions