Abstract
B. edulis, collected from 33 forested or woodland sites across Poland over 25 years since 1995, were analysed for radiocaesium. The results (137Cs activity range: 25 to 10,000 Bq kg-1 dry weight) provide a good indication of artificial radioactivity in this food material. The relatively higher levels detected in the earlier years, mostly in easterly location, is consistent with depositions from the projected Chernobyl incident (1986) fallout plumes. Nevertheless, the 137Cs concentrations during 1995–2010 were, on average, higher than those reported by other studies for Polish B. edulis over the period 1986–1994. The data concurs with the general hypothesis and observations that deposited 137Cs permeates slowly over time to deeper soil horizons which host the mycelial networks. This delay in availability shows that (apart from hotspots) higher contamination of fruiting bodies occurred around 10 to 20 years after the incident. Local consumers and recreational mushroomers were undoubtedly exposed, although reported 137Cs concentrations suggest that serious breaches of regulated levels were uncommon.
Highlights
Wild edible mushrooms are a valuable food resource that is appreciated in many regions of the world
Another study (Bem et al 1990) which sampled B. edulis prior to the Chernobyl incident in Poland in 1985, at ca. 500 km north-west of the town of Chernobyl, was unable to detect 134Cs. 134Cs has a much shorter half-life (2.06 years) in comparison to 137Cs (30.17 years) and can be used as a tracer of fresh emission and deposition/accumulation of radiocaesium from sources such as nuclear weapon testing or releases from nuclear power plant accidents such as those at Chernobyl and Fukushima, and to follow the origin of 137Cs accumulated in environmental compartments
The popular and prized B. edulis mushroom appears to be a good bio-indicator of the distribution of radiocaesium in forested and woodland areas of the Polish environment
Summary
Wild edible mushrooms are a valuable food resource that is appreciated in many regions of the world. Coprinus comatus (shaggy mane or shaggy ink cap mushroom) is a common species that is found in a wide variety of habitats and is often seen in fields, lawns, grasslands and meadows. It is a versatile species and can grow in urbanised, industrial areas and by the side of roads. Matsutake (Tricholoma matsutake) mushrooms grow in specific forested terrains and are difficult to find Their specific growth requirements make them rare, and foragers have to compete with wild animals such as deer and rabbits, making them highly prized (and expensive if sold), in East Asian cuisine. Preserved wild mushrooms (dried, pickled, stir-fried or soured) are traded and available from shops as a delicacy or as functional foods, and they are usually more expensive than staple foods
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