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Title: Radiocesium in Swedish reindeer after the Chernobyl fallout: Seasonal variations and long-term decline

Abstract

Data about {sup 137}Cs activity concentrations in reindeer muscle were collected from different parts of Sweden during 1986-1992. The data were used to evaluate seasonal and geographical variations and long-term decline of {sup 137}Cs in reindeer. The seasonal variation is shown in an example from one of the most contaminated areas, the Saami community Vilhelmina Norra, where {sup 137}Cs activity concentrations in reindeer during winter exceed those found during summer by about 20 times. Activity concentrations of {sup 137}Cs in reindeer were fairly well correlated to ground deposition. The ratio between {sup 137}Cs in reindeer (kBq kg{sup -1} wet weight) and ground deposition (kBq m{sup -2}) was calculated to be 0.76 m{sup 2} kg{sup -1} for the winter period, January-April, in 1987. Activity concentrations of {sup 137}Cs in reindeer decreased significantly during the years 1986-1992. The decline was generally more rapid during September, November, and December [corresponding to an effective ecological half-life (T{sub Eff}) of 3.2 y] than during January-April when T{sub Eff} was calculated to 4.2 y. There was a general trend toward a slower decrease during the last of the observed years. 42 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.

Authors:
;  [1]
  1. Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala (Sweden)
Publication Date:
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
249939
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Health Physics
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 66; Journal Issue: 5; Other Information: PBD: May 1994
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, APPLIED STUDIES; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; DEER; CONTAMINATION; PASTURES; FALLOUT; GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS; BIOLOGICAL HALF-LIFE; SEASONAL VARIATIONS; SWEDEN; CESIUM 137

Citation Formats

Ahman, B, and Ahman, G. Radiocesium in Swedish reindeer after the Chernobyl fallout: Seasonal variations and long-term decline. United States: N. p., 1994. Web. doi:10.1097/00004032-199405000-00002.
Ahman, B, & Ahman, G. Radiocesium in Swedish reindeer after the Chernobyl fallout: Seasonal variations and long-term decline. United States. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199405000-00002
Ahman, B, and Ahman, G. 1994. "Radiocesium in Swedish reindeer after the Chernobyl fallout: Seasonal variations and long-term decline". United States. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199405000-00002.
@article{osti_249939,
title = {Radiocesium in Swedish reindeer after the Chernobyl fallout: Seasonal variations and long-term decline},
author = {Ahman, B and Ahman, G},
abstractNote = {Data about {sup 137}Cs activity concentrations in reindeer muscle were collected from different parts of Sweden during 1986-1992. The data were used to evaluate seasonal and geographical variations and long-term decline of {sup 137}Cs in reindeer. The seasonal variation is shown in an example from one of the most contaminated areas, the Saami community Vilhelmina Norra, where {sup 137}Cs activity concentrations in reindeer during winter exceed those found during summer by about 20 times. Activity concentrations of {sup 137}Cs in reindeer were fairly well correlated to ground deposition. The ratio between {sup 137}Cs in reindeer (kBq kg{sup -1} wet weight) and ground deposition (kBq m{sup -2}) was calculated to be 0.76 m{sup 2} kg{sup -1} for the winter period, January-April, in 1987. Activity concentrations of {sup 137}Cs in reindeer decreased significantly during the years 1986-1992. The decline was generally more rapid during September, November, and December [corresponding to an effective ecological half-life (T{sub Eff}) of 3.2 y] than during January-April when T{sub Eff} was calculated to 4.2 y. There was a general trend toward a slower decrease during the last of the observed years. 42 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.},
doi = {10.1097/00004032-199405000-00002},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/249939}, journal = {Health Physics},
number = 5,
volume = 66,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1994},
month = {Sun May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1994}
}