Field study of Ra accumulation in trout with assessment of radiation dose to man
The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of /sup 226/Ra in edible fish from surface ponds near an open pit U mine. Because one reclamation plan for the U mine proposed formation of an artificial lake in the open pit, potential radiation dose to man from ingestion of fish needed to be investigated. Trout were collected from four existing ponds which varied in mean /sup 226/Ra concentration from 12-33 pCi/l and in Ca concentration from 30-330 mg Ca/l. Radium and Ca accumulation in trout flesh, skin, fins and bone were measured. Geometric mean concentrations of /sup 226/Ra in trout flesh from four ponds ranged from 6.3-30 pCi/kg wet weight. The distribution of Ra in the trout body was similar to that of Ca. The calculated dose equivalent commitment to human endosteal tissue range from 0.2-2 mrem per fish consumed, depending on the assumed dietary and environmental parameters. Neglecting the consumption of trout skin underestimated the ingestion dose from /sup 226/Ra by a factor of 5-10. Estimated annual dose equivalent rates to human endosteal tissue ranged from 1.0-83 mrem/yr for an individual who consumed one fish per week for a 50-yr period. The dose to man from ingestion of /sup 226/Ra in fish would not likely preclude the establishment of a recreational lake at this site.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins
- OSTI ID:
- 5379987
- Journal Information:
- Health Phys.; (United States), Vol. 49:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
MAN
RADIATION DOSES
RADIUM 226
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TROUT
INGESTION
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
DOSE EQUIVALENTS
FIELD TESTS
MUSCLES
PONDS
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SKELETON
SKIN
URANIUM MINES
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BODY
DISTRIBUTION
DOSES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FISHES
HEAVY NUCLEI
INTAKE
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MINES
NUCLEI
ORGANS
PRIMATES
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIUM ISOTOPES
SURFACE WATERS
TESTING
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
VERTEBRATES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
520302* - Environment
Aquatic- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Aquatic Ecosystems & Food Chains- (-1987)