Radiocesium levels in Swedish moose in relation to deposition, diet, and age. [Vaccinium myrtillus; Betula pubescens; Vaccinium vitis-idaea]

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Quality; (United States)

OSTI ID:5227362

Palo, R T; Nelin, P ^[1]; Nylen, T ^[2]; Wickman, G ^[3]

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1. Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences, Umea (Sweden)
2. Swedish National Defence Establishment, Umea (Sweden)
3. Univ. of Umea (Sweden)

During the hunting season in September 1986 in Vasterbotten, Sweden, the mean concentration of {sup 137}Cs in muscle tissue of moose (Alces alces (L.)) was 500 Bq kg{sup {minus}1} fresh weight in calves, and 300 Bq kg{sup {minus}1} in adults. In September 1987, the median concentration in calves was 401 Bq kg{sup {minus}1} and 201 Bq kg{sup {minus}1} in adluts. In September 1988 the mean concentration of {sup 137}Cs was 1,300 Bq kg{sup {minus}1} in calves, and 640 Bq kg{sup {minus}1} in adults. Calves contained about 40% higher activity concentration than adults. A positive correlation between muscle activity and deposition per square meter was evident. Concentration in typical food plants for moose such a bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) peaked at 2,000 Bq kg{sup {minus}1} (SD = 1,000) in July 1986 but had declined to about 600 Bq kd{sup {minus}1} (SD = 200) by July 1988. However, in birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) the activity concentration did not differ between 1986, 1987 and 1988. Rumen content analyses showed that in 1988, utilization of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) increased while the proportion of willow (Salix spp.) decreased. No relationship between the proportion of specific plant species in the rumen and flesh activity concentration was noted. An increased in foraging on highly contaminated plant species such as bilberry, aquatic plants and mushrooms in July and August 1988 might explain the rise in concentration in moose in September.

• OSTI ID: 5227362
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality; (United States), Vol. 20:3; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CESIUM 137
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
WILD ANIMALS
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
AGE DEPENDENCE
CONTAMINATION
DEPOSITION
DIET
FALLOUT
FORAGE
MUSCLES
PLANTS
SWEDEN
TREES
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
ANIMAL FEEDS
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CESIUM ISOTOPES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EUROPE
FOOD
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
RADIOISOTOPES
SCANDINAVIA
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
560162* - Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology- Animals
Plants
Microorganisms
& Cells