Anthropogenic radionuclides in Antarctic biota – dosimetrical considerations

Abstract

The article presents results of the research on artificial radionuclides (137Cs, 90Sr, 241Am) in the Antarctic environment. Samples of 12 species from the marine environment: Pygoscelis adeliae, Pygoscelis papua, Macronectes giganteus, Pagodroma nivea, Catharacta antarctica, Leptonychotes weddellii, Mirounga leonina, Harpagifer antarcticus, Chaenocephalus aceratus, Nacella concinna, Himantothallus grandifolius, Iridaea cordata (bones, feathers, soft tissues, eggs' shells of birds, bones, skin, fur of mammals, fish, mollusks’ soft tissues and shells, algae) and samples of 4 species from the terrestrial environment: Sanionia uncinata, Usnea antarctica, Usnea aurantiaco-atra, Deschampsia antarctica (mosses, lichens, grass) were investigated. Differences in the accumulation of 137Cs between marine and terrestrial ecosystem were shown, which are mostly due to conservatism of mosses and lichens and active removal of cesium by animal body. Furthermore discrepancy between mosses and lichens in the radioceasium accumulation was statistically proven with the additional use of Neutron Activation Analysis. Moreover, the internal weighted dose rates assessment was prepared using the ERICA Tool. The dose rates were relatively low, not exceeding several dozen nGy/h. Nonetheless, one species – Pagodroma nivea, was significantly outstanding due to the highest weighted dose rate it is burdened with.