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Polonium-210 in Euphauslids: A Detailed Study

Abstract

A detailed study of {sup 210}Po, the predominant alpha-emitting nuclide found in most marine organisms, has been undertaken in a particular zooplanktonic species, the euphausiid Meganyctiphanes norvegica. The purpose was to obtain information concerning the origin, the localization and the flux of the nuclide in and through this organism. Measurements of {sup 210}Po were made in euphausiids of different sizes, in dissected organs and tissues, and in excretion products. The results show higher concentrations in the smaller specimens; this fact cannot be explained on the basis of surface adsorption, but is probably related to the ingestion of food. Dissection results show that the distribution of {sup 210}Po in euphausiids is not homogeneous, but that the majority is concentrated in the internal organs, the alimentary tract and the hepatopancreas in particular. The natural radiation dose received by these organs is in consequence much higher than that received by the whole animal. Use of a dynamic model allowed the flux of {sup 210}Po through M. norvegica to be calculated. The calculations confirm that food is the principal sauce of {sup 210}Po for this species, and clearly show that fecal pellets constitute the major elimination route. Extrapolation of the data to zooplankton in  More>>
Publication Date:
Jul 01, 1976
Product Type:
Technical Report
Report Number:
IAEA-TECDOC-187
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Abstract only; Published in: Mar. Biol. 34: 127 (1976); Related Information: In: Activities of the International Laboratory of Marine Radioactivity. 1976 Report. Monaco, June 1976| 197 p.
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ADSORPTION; CONCENTRATION RATIO; ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION; EXCRETION; EXTRAPOLATION; FOOD; INGESTION; NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY; ORGANS; POLONIUM 210; SEAS; ZOOPLANKTON
OSTI ID:
22533595
Research Organizations:
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
Country of Origin:
IAEA
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
TRN: XA15M1760104540
Availability:
Available from INIS in electronic form
Submitting Site:
INIS
Size:
page(s) 196
Announcement Date:
Nov 17, 2016

Citation Formats

Heyraud, M., Fowler, S. W., Beasley, T. M., and Cherry, R. D. Polonium-210 in Euphauslids: A Detailed Study. IAEA: N. p., 1976. Web.
Heyraud, M., Fowler, S. W., Beasley, T. M., & Cherry, R. D. Polonium-210 in Euphauslids: A Detailed Study. IAEA.
Heyraud, M., Fowler, S. W., Beasley, T. M., and Cherry, R. D. 1976. "Polonium-210 in Euphauslids: A Detailed Study." IAEA.
@misc{etde_22533595,
title = {Polonium-210 in Euphauslids: A Detailed Study}
author = {Heyraud, M., Fowler, S. W., Beasley, T. M., and Cherry, R. D.}
abstractNote = {A detailed study of {sup 210}Po, the predominant alpha-emitting nuclide found in most marine organisms, has been undertaken in a particular zooplanktonic species, the euphausiid Meganyctiphanes norvegica. The purpose was to obtain information concerning the origin, the localization and the flux of the nuclide in and through this organism. Measurements of {sup 210}Po were made in euphausiids of different sizes, in dissected organs and tissues, and in excretion products. The results show higher concentrations in the smaller specimens; this fact cannot be explained on the basis of surface adsorption, but is probably related to the ingestion of food. Dissection results show that the distribution of {sup 210}Po in euphausiids is not homogeneous, but that the majority is concentrated in the internal organs, the alimentary tract and the hepatopancreas in particular. The natural radiation dose received by these organs is in consequence much higher than that received by the whole animal. Use of a dynamic model allowed the flux of {sup 210}Po through M. norvegica to be calculated. The calculations confirm that food is the principal sauce of {sup 210}Po for this species, and clearly show that fecal pellets constitute the major elimination route. Extrapolation of the data to zooplankton in general leads to the conclusion that zooplankton metabolic activity plays an important role in transporting {sup 210}Po from the surface layers of the ocean to depth. (author)}
place = {IAEA}
year = {1976}
month = {Jul}
}