The accumulation of radioactive caesium in crabs
The accumulaticn of Cs¹³⁴ and K⁴² from artificlal sea water was followed in crabs of several species. In all cases Cs¹³⁴ is taken up far more slowly than K⁴² but at equilibrium a higher concentration factor is attalned by Cs . In Carcinas a value of about 8 is found for Cs¹³⁴ and about 4 for K⁴². Uptake of Cs¹³⁴ in Carcinus is not affected by feeding on inactive food over a period of lOOO hr. The relatlonship between the rates of uptake of the 2 isotopes ls not the same in the different specles, and it is concluded that it would not be possible to predict with any accuracy rates of uptake for Cs¹³⁴ ln other species of crabs from the results of short M² experiments. Uptake of Cs¹³⁴ was followed in the blood and tissues of Carcinus and Cancer, and muscle is the principal limiting factor in the attainment of equilibrium by whole animals. Uptake of K⁴² by tlssues was also followed, and ln all species nearly all the inactlve K appears to be readily exchangeable. At equilibrium in all species plasma/sea water and tissue/plasma Cs ratios nearly always exceed those for inactive K. The tissue/ plasma CS¹³⁴ ratios in Carclnus are about twice those for K and the significance of this is discussed. Loss of both isotopes in whole Carcinus is a slower process than uptake. lsotope accumulation takes place malnly across the body surface in unfed animals, but uptake of Cs¹³⁴ food is very rapid and complete and would considerably enhance the attainment of equilibrium in a natural environment. Selective excretion of Cs¹³⁴ relative to K was found in Carcinus, Cancer, and Portunus puber. (Publlc Health Eng. Abstr., 42: No. 3, March l962)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-018800
- OSTI ID:
- 4818479
- Journal Information:
- Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Journal Name: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom Journal Issue: 03 Vol. 41; ISSN 0025-3154; ISSN applab
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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