THE ACCUMULATION OF RADIOACTIVE CESIUM BY MARINE INVERTEBRATES
Accumulation of radiocesium (Cs/sup 134/ and Cs/sup 137/) and the relation of this to the uptake of radiopotassium and to the distribution of inactive K in the tissues of marine animals were studied in many species from the major groups of invertebrates during a survey of the possibility that some species might show particular ability in concentrating Cs. In whole specimens of all species examined radiocesium was always absorbed more slowly than K/sup 42/ from sea water. All the inactive K in these species appeared to be readily exchandgeable with K/sup 42/, but, at equilibrium, concentration factors for Cs/ sup 137/ usually exceeded those for K/sup 42/ or inactive K. In sea andemones, the shore-living Actinia and Tealia were not less permeable to Cs than Metridium andd Calliactis, which were taken from deeper water. In these animals the highest concentration factors for Cs/sup 137/ and inactive K were found in the tentacles. Greater differences were found between the rates of Cs/sup 137/ uptake in the polychaetes Nereis diversicolor and Perinereis cultrifera. This is likely to be related to the fact that Nereis is a brackish water species, which is more euryhaline than the more marine Perinereis, andd judging from results obtained with other brackish water animals, Nereis would be expected to reach higher eqilibrium concentration factors for Cs/sup 137/ in diluted sea water. The most rapid uptake of Cs/sup 137 was found in the smallest animal studied, Tisbe reticulata; half the equilibrium concentration factor of 12 is reached in about 2.0 hr at 20 deg C. Calanus, which is a much larger copepod, absorbs the isotope more slowly and half the equilibrium concentration factor of about 14 (the highest value noted in any species studied) is reached in 20 hr at 9 deg C. It is concluded that in species having body fluids, uptake of radioactive Cs into the body fluid is rapid and equilibrium concentration factors of the order of 1.0 are found. These factors are similar to those for inactive K. Soft tissues tend to reach variable radioactive Cs concentration factors of the order of 10, which at equilibrium exceed those for inactive K or K/sup 42/. (BBB)
- Research Organization:
- Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, Eng.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-004959
- OSTI ID:
- 4122767
- Journal Information:
- J. Marine Biol. Assoc. U.K., Journal Name: J. Marine Biol. Assoc. U.K. Vol. Vol: 43
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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