Cesium-137 levels detected in Georgia otters

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02021031· OSTI ID:6144021

Halbrook, R S; Jenkins, J H

Beginning in the 1940's and continuing through the 50's and early 60's, nuclear devices were tested by aerial detonation in the United States and other countries around the world. Cesium-137 (/sup 137/Cs) is one of the most important radionuclide by-products due to its abundance and slow decay (30-year half-life). The uptake of /sup 137/Cs in animal tissue is the result of its similarity to potassium. The somatic and genetic effects of /sup 137/Cs, along with its effect on reproductive cells, can pose great hazards to wildlife species. A reported buildup of /sup 137/Cs in white-tailed deer in the lower coastal plain of Georgia during the 1960's was followed by a gradual decline during the 1970's. Although numerous studies have involved terrestrial mammals of Georgia, few have involved aquatic mammals such as the river otter. With continued atmospheric testing by some foreign countries and the increased use of nuclear power as an energy source, there is a need for continued monitoring of radionuclides in wildlife to ascertain the quality of the environment. This study was initiated as part of an overall study of environmental pollutants in the river otter of Georgia and deals with analysis of the /sup 137/Cs accumulations in this species.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Georgia, Athens (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6144021
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 41:5; ISSN BECTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560160* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CESIUM 137
CESIUM ISOTOPES
COASTAL REGIONS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FEDERAL REGION IV
FISHES
FOOD CHAINS
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
GEORGIA
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MUSCLES
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
OTTERS
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIOISOTOPES
SPECTROSCOPY
USA
VERTEBRATES
WHOLE-BODY COUNTING
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES