Levels of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in fish and molluscs in Slovenia and the related dose assessment to the population

Radioactivity levels in mussels and sediments of the Golden Horn by the Bosphorus Strait, Marmara Sea

The Golden Horn is an estuary located in the center of İstanbul receiving freshwater discharges from two creeks and connecting to the Bosphorus Strait. Activity concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides were determined in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and sediments from the Golden Horn sampled in February 2012. Mean activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (40)K, (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (210)Po and (210)Pb in the mussels were determined at 1.03±0.23, 389±41.6, 2.61±1.23, not detected (ND), 91.96±37.88 and 11.48±4.85 Bq kg(-1), respectively. In sediments, it was observed that (137)Cs, (40)K, (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (210)Po and (210)Pb activity concentrations in<63 μm particle fraction of sediment were generally higher than those determined in mussels. Po-210 and (210)Po/(210)Pb ratios in mussels from the Golden Horn were much lower than in mussels from other coastal regions and this was related to low plankton productivity and eutrophication of the Golden Horn.

Radioactivity concentrations in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) of Turkish Sea coast and contribution of ²¹⁰Po to the radiation dose

Radionuclides levels were determined in indigenous and transplanted mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected from Turkish marine environment. Radioactivity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb were determined in the soft tissues of the mussel samples collected in Bosphorus Strait, Coasts of Black Sea, Marmara Sea and Aegean Sea. Mussel transplantation was carried out by using mussel cages in Levantine Sea coast since M. galloprovincialis did not naturally adapt along the coast. The average activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in the coastline of Turkey were found to be 0.7±0.1, 469±24, 0.9±0.1, 1.0±0.1, 122±4 and 10.9±0.9 Bq kg⁻¹ in dry weight (dw), respectively. The average of ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb ratio was found to be ∼14. Total annual effective ²¹⁰Po dose was calculated to be in the range of 0.25-3.30 μSv due to mussel consumption. Radioactivity and dose levels were compared with those of similar studies carried out in Mediterranean countries.

Seasonal and spatial variations of 210Po and 210Pb activity concentrations in Mytilus galloprovincialis from Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea

Results of 2 years monitoring of (210)Po and (210)Pb activity concentrations in soft tissue of the species Mytilus galloprovincialis from Croatian part of the Adriatic coast are presented. The samples were collected at thirteen coastal stations (some of which are also a part of the Mediterranean Mussel Watch Project) in spring and autumn of 2010 and 2011. The collected mussels were ranging between 4 cm and 6 cm in shell length. After sample pre-treatment lead and polonium were radiochemically separated on Sr resin. (210)Po was determined by alpha-particle spectrometry and (210)Pb was determined, via (210)Bi, by a low-level gas proportional counter. The results of (210)Po activity concentrations were found to vary between (104±11) and (1421±81) Bq kg(-1) dry weight while (210)Pb activity concentrations were much lower and in range (8.2±5.3)-(94.1±29.8) Bq kg(-1) dry weight. Higher (210)Po and (210)Pb activity concentrations were determined in spring period. The inter-site differences seen in their activity concentrations can be due to natural background levels of sites. The (210)Po/(210)Pb activity concentration ratios in all cases exceeded unity for all mussel samples and ranged between 4.0 and 47.9.

Occurrence of 210Po in periwinkle (Littorina undulata, Gray, 1839) collected from Kudankulam (Gulf of Mannar (GOM), Southeast coast of India)

Polonium-210 activity concentration was analysed in the whole body tissue of periwinkle Littorina undulata collected from intertidal rocky shore along Kudankulam coast. We carried out the study for a period of 12 months (2011-2012) focusing on three seasons. (210)Po was found non-uniformly distributed among the periwinkles depending on the allometry. The (210)Po accumulation showed a significant difference between seasons (p<0.05). Smaller sized winkles registered higher activity of (210)Po compared to larger ones (p<0.05). The overall activity range of (210)Po varied from 13.5 to 58.9 Bq/kg (wet). The activity of (210)Po was also quantified in seawater and intertidal sediments to calculate the biological concentration factor (BCF) and radiation dose rate. The dose rate to the winkles was performed using ERICA Assessment Tool and it was within the prescribed limit. The intake of (210)Po through periwinkles delivered an effective dose in the range of 2.2-9.6 μSv/y to human beings.

Environmental impact assessment of radionuclide and metal contamination at the former U site at Kadji Sai, Kyrgyzstan

During 1949-1967, a U mine, a coal-fired thermal power plant and a processing plant for the extraction of U from the produced ash were operated at the Kadji Sai U mining site in Tonsk district, Issyk-Kul County, Kyrgyzstan. The Kadji Sai U legacy site represents a source of contamination of the local environment by naturally occurring radionuclides and associated trace elements. To assess the environmental impact of radionuclides and trace metals at the site, field expeditions were performed in 2007 and 2008 by the Joint collaboration between Norway, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan (JNKKT) project and the NATO SfP RESCA project. In addition to in situ gamma and Rn dose rate measurements, sampling included at site fractionation of water and sampling of water, fish, sediment, soils and vegetation. The concentrations of radionuclides and trace metals in water from Issyk-Kul Lake were in general low, but surprisingly high for As. Uptake of U and As was also observed in fish from the lake with maximum bioconcentration factors for liver of 1.6 and 75, respectively. The concentrations of U in water within the Kadji Sai area varied from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/L, except for downstream from the mining area where U reached a factor of 10 higher, 0.2 mg/L. Uranium concentrations in the drinking water of Kadji Sai village were about the level recommended by the WHO for drinking water. The (234)U/(238)U activity ratio reflected equilibrium conditions in the mining pond, but far from equilibrium outside this area (reaching 2.3 for an artesian well). Uranium, As and Ni were mainly present as low molecular mass (LMM, less than 10 kDa) species in all samples, indicating that these elemental species are mobile and potentially bioavailable. The soils from the mining sites were enriched in U, As and trace metals. Hot spots with elevated radioactivity levels were easily detected in Kadji Sai and radioactive particles were observed. The presence of particles carrying significant amount of radioactivity and toxic trace elements may represent a hazard during strong wind events (wind erosion). Based on sequential extractions, most of the elements were strongly associated with mineral matter, except for U and As having a relatively high remobilization potential. Low Kd was obtained for U (3.5 × 10(2) L/kg d.w.), intermediate Kds (~3 × 10(3) L/kg d.w.) were obtained for (226)Ra, As and Ni, while a high Kd (2.2 × 10(5) L/kg d.w.) were obtained for Pb. The accumulation of metals in fish gills reflected the LMM species in the Issyk-Kul water, and did not show any bioaccumulation. The muscle Hg concentrations in all fish species were low and did not represent any health risk even for groups at risk. Total gamma and Rn dose rate to man amounted to about 12 mSv/y, while the highest calculated dose rate for non-human species based on the ERICA Assessment Tool were obtained in terrestrial plants (164 μGy/h) due to the Ra exposure. The results obtained showed that radiation doses to resident public at all of the investigated sites in the Kadji Sai area were in general relatively low. Low radiological risk and no detrimental health impact on resident public can be expected at these sites. However, exposure to Rn and Tn in the living environment can be further reduced by implementing simple countermeasures such as ventilation of dwelling cellars. More focus in the Kadji Sai area should probably be put on trace elements, especially the As uptake in fish in Lake Issyk-Kul.

Levels of 210Po and 210Pb in mussel and sediments in Candarlı Gulf and the related dose assessment to the coastal population

(210)Po and (210)Pb in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and sediment samples collected at Candarlı Gulf during the period of 2010-2012 are presented and discussed. The activity concentrations of (210)Po and (210)Pb were measured by means of alpha spectrometry. Activity concentrations of (210)Po and (210)Pb in mussels are in the ranged of 332±17-776±23 Bq kg(-1)dw and 14±1-40±5 Bq kg(-1) dw, for sediments the ranges for 52±5-109±8 Bq kg(-1)dw and 38±5-92±9 Bq kg(-1) dw, respectively. The estimated consequent annual effective ingestion dose due to (210)Po and (210)Pb from mussel consumption in Candarlı Gulf coastal region were calculated. The highest dose due to (210)Po and (210)Po were calculated to be 4232±126 μSv and 126±16 μSv, respectively.

Levels of (210)Po in some commercial fish species consumed in the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey and the related dose assessment to the coastal population

Concentrations of (210)Po were determined in the edible muscle tissue of five species of marine fish: Sardine (Sardine plichardus) and Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), Red mullet (Mullus barbatus), Horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and Gilt-head sea bream (Sparus aurata) collected from five stations in the Aegean Sea Region of Turkey during the fishery season 2010. The (210)Po concentrations in the fish samples were found to vary from not detected levels to 389 ± 45 Bq kg(-1) dry wt. These variations in (210)Po content in different species are probably due to differences in metabolism and feeding patterns. The highest levels for (210)Po were observed in Anchovy (E. encrasicolus) species.

Variations of 210Po and 210Pb concentration in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Didim and Izmir Bay (Turkish coast of Aegean Sea)

In this study, the activity concentrations of (210)Po and (210)Pb were determined in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected from Didim and Izmir Bay (Turkish coast of Aegean Sea) during the period of April 2006-March 2007. The concentrations activity of (210)Po were determined spectroscopically through its 5.30 MeV alpha particle emission, using (209)Po as an internal tracer. The (210)Pb activity concentrations were determined from the ingrowth of (210)Po, assuming zero initial (210)Po activity. The results of (210)Po and (210)Pb activity concentrations were found to vary between 34 ± 9 and 1855 ± 98 Bq kg(-1) dry weight and ND (lower than limit of detection) - 64 ± 6 Bq kg(-1) dry weight, respectively. (210)Po/(210)Pb ratio ranged between 1.00 and 106.87. The highest (210)Po activities were found in mussels collected from Didim.

Fish pollution with anthropogenic 137Cs in the southern Baltic Sea

This paper presents the results of a study on changes in (137)Cs activity concentrations in three fish species from the southern Baltic Sea: cod (Gadus morhua), herring (Clupea harengus) and flounder (Platichtys flesus), in the period 2000-2010. During the study period a marked decline in cesium activity concentration in fish muscle tissue was observed, which reflected changes in radionuclide activity concentration in seawater. No statistically significant temporal trends were determined in changes of concentration factors (CF(fish/seawater)) calculated for the examined fish species. The analysis of (137)Cs activity as a function of ichthyological parameters revealed the lack of a relationship between radionuclide activity concentrations in herring muscle tissue and the fish age in an narrow age range (2-4 years). However, a reverse proportionality of total fish mass, as well as body length, against (137)Cs activity concentrations in muscles was well documented. The latter observation can be the direct result of the dilution effect related to the increase of fish body weight. (137)Cs activity concentration in muscle tissue of the five fish species forms a declining sequence: Gadus morhua, Platichthys flesus, Clupea harengus, Perca fluviatilis and Neogobius melanostomus.

Activity levels of (210)Po and (210)Pb in some fish species of the Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea)

Concentrations of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb were determined in the edible muscle tissue of twelve species of marine fish collected from Izmir Bay in the Aegean Sea Region of Turkey during the 2006-2007. ²¹⁰Po activity concentrations in fish samples were found to vary from ND to 400±9 Bq kg⁻¹ dry weight and ²¹⁰Pb activity concentrations were found to vary from ND to 15±3 Bq kg⁻¹ dry weight. The highest dose contribution due to ²¹⁰Po to humans was found to be 8.908 μSv y⁻¹.

(210)Po and (210)Pb activity concentrations in Mytilus galloprovincialis from Croatian Adriatic coast with the related dose assessment to the coastal population

Activity concentrations of (210)Po and (210)Pb in the species Mytilus galloprovincialis from Croatian Adriatic coast were determined. The samples were collected in thirteen sampling places which are also a part of Croatian Mediterranean mussel watch project. The results of (210)Po and (210)Pb activity concentrations were found to vary between (22.1±2.5)-(207±21) Bq kg(-1) fresh weight and (2.8±1.4)-(9.3±0.7) Bq kg(-1) fresh weight, respectively. (210)Po/(210)Pb ratio ranged between 6.2 and 30.7. The highest measured activities were found in the enclosed basins of the Neretva channel, where the majority of Croatian mussel cultivation is taking place. The estimated consequent average total annual effective ingestion dose due to (210)Po and (210)Pb from mussel consumption in Croatian coastal region is 202±99 μSv with 96% contribution of (210)Po to the total effective dose.

210Po and 210Pb variations in fish species from the Aegean Sea and the contribution of 210Po to the radiation dose

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the significance of natural radionuclides, particularly (210)Po, in the marine environment. (210)Po, a naturally occurring alpha emitter, accumulates in marine organisms and reflects differences in their diets. In the literature, there is no data for (210)Po and (210)Pb activity concentrations for fish species on the Turkish coast of Aegean Sea. Therefore, in this study, multiple fish species were collected from six stations seasonally on the Turkish coast of Aegean Sea and were analyzed for their (210)Po and (210)Pb content. The (210)Po and (210)Pb concentrations in the fish samples were found to vary from undetectable levels to 499 ± 44 Bq kg(-1) dry weight (dw) and from 1.0 ± 0.3 Bq kg(-1) to 35 ± 4.0 Bq kg(-1) (dw), respectively. There were no significant differences in the activity concentrations of (210)Po and (210)Pb in fish samples between seasons (ANOVA, P>0.05). The highest dose contribution of (210)Po to humans was calculated to be 10,530 μSv year(-1).