Concentration and depuration of some radionuclides present in a chronically exposed population of mussels (Mytilus edulis)
Clifton, R.J.; Stevens, H.E.; Hamilton, E.I. (1983). Concentration and depuration of some radionuclides present in a chronically exposed population of mussels (Mytilus edulis). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 11: 245-256. https://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps011245
In: Marine Ecology Progress Series. Inter-Research: Oldendorf/Luhe. ISSN 0171-8630; e-ISSN 1616-1599, more
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| Keywords |
Biological phenomena > Accumulation > Bioaccumulation
Chemical elements > Metals > Heavy metals
Environmental effects
Periodicity > Seasonality
Properties > Chemical properties
Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Tidal flats
Wastes > Hazardous materials > Radioactive wastes
Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758 [WoRMS]
ANE, British Isles, England, Cumbria [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Clifton, R.J.
- Stevens, H.E.
- Hamilton, E.I.
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| Abstract |
Factors are described which affect the concentration (p Ci g-1 dry wt) and loss of 241Am, 239+240Pu, 238Pu, 144Ce, Cs, 134Cs, 106Ru, 9595)Zb in an exposed population of mussels M. Edulis L. from Ravenglass on the Esk estuary, Cumbria, UK which receives radioeffluents from the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. (BNFL) plant at Sellafield, some 10 km to the north. Tidal position and mussel body size have a negigible influence on the concentration of 241Am, Cs and 106Ru in the total soft tissue, but variation in soft tissue weight throughout the year has a considerable influence on the apparent concentration and depuration times of these radionuclides. Apart from the clearance (t1/2 biol, 1 to 3 h) of sediment-associated activity from the digestive tract, the depuration rate profiles follow a single component clearance curve with a biological half-life in excess of 200 for 241Am, 239+240Pu, 238Pu and 144Ce, and of 40 d for 137Cs. The clearance of 106Ru is more complex and consists of a 3 component depuration profile with biological half-lives of 6 h, 12 d and 260 d. The depuration profiles presented in this work are for chronically ingested isotopes under natural conditions. |
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