Assessment of aquatic organisms as bioindicators of historical radionuclide release to the Columbia River

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6518451· OSTI ID:6518451

Dauble, D D; Poston, T M; Newell, R L

This study examined the potential for using several aquatic organisms as biological indicators of historic levels of radionuclides released to the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. The purpose of the study was to determine the types of environmental samples that could be collected to further our understanding of previous releases of radionuclides at Hanford. Information was initially collected to determine the relative abundance and persistence of radionuclides historically released at Hanford. The potential for long-lived radionuclides to bioaccumulated in aquatic organisms was then assessed. The life history of several common aquatic organisms was examined to evaluate their use as potential bioindicators of radionuclides released to the Columbia River. Considerations for analyzing strontium (ZSr) in biological samples were determined. Based on our review of radionuclides released to the environment and their potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms, strontium appears to be the only radionuclide suitable for further study. White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and the common mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) are suitable candidates for developing dose reconstruction scenarios. Considerations for tissue analysis of radionuclide concentration in these species include potential for biological turnover and tissue mass. 48 refs., 1 fig., 4 tabs.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6518451
• Report Number(s): PNL-6795; ON: DE89005941
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOASSAY
STRONTIUM 90
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
COLUMBIA RIVER
EVALUATION
FISHES
HANFORD RESERVATION
MUSSELS
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INVERTEBRATES
ISOTOPES
MOLLUSCS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEI
RADIOISOTOPES
RIVERS
STREAMS
STRONTIUM ISOTOPES
SURFACE WATERS
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VERTEBRATES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
520300* - Environment
Aquatic- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1989)