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Polonium-210 in euphausiids: 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. Information was obtained concerning the origin, the localization and the flux of the nuclide in and through the 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 source 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  More>>
Publication Date:
Feb 13, 1976
Product Type:
Journal Article
Reference Number:
EDB-76-038048
Resource Relation:
Journal Name: Mar. Biol.; (Germany, Federal Republic of); Journal Volume: 34:2
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; PLANKTON; CONTAMINATION; POLONIUM 210; RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION; ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS; BIOLOGICAL MODELS; BUILDUP; EXCRETION; METABOLISM; ORGANS; RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION; RADIOISOTOPES; TRACE AMOUNTS; AQUATIC ORGANISMS; BODY; CLEARANCE; DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES; ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION; ECOSYSTEMS; ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT; EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI; HEAVY NUCLEI; ISOTOPES; MASS TRANSFER; NUCLEI; POLONIUM ISOTOPES; 520300* - Environment, Aquatic- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1989)
OSTI ID:
7293017
Country of Origin:
Germany
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Journal ID: CODEN: MBIOA
Submitting Site:
TIC
Size:
Pages: 127-136
Announcement Date:
Jun 01, 1976

Citation Formats

Heyraud, M, Fowler, S W, Beasley, T M, and Cherry, R D. Polonium-210 in euphausiids: a detailed study. Germany: N. p., 1976. Web.
Heyraud, M, Fowler, S W, Beasley, T M, & Cherry, R D. Polonium-210 in euphausiids: a detailed study. Germany.
Heyraud, M, Fowler, S W, Beasley, T M, and Cherry, R D. 1976. "Polonium-210 in euphausiids: a detailed study." Germany.
@misc{etde_7293017,
title = {Polonium-210 in euphausiids: 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. Information was obtained concerning the origin, the localization and the flux of the nuclide in and through the 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 source 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. (auth)}
journal = []
volume = {34:2}
journal type = {AC}
place = {Germany}
year = {1976}
month = {Feb}
}