Natural Radioactivity in the Mussel Mytilus Galloprovincialis Derived from the Central Adriatic Sea (Italy)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine background levels of natural radionuclides such as uranium isotopes, 210Pb, 210Po, and 40K in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis, collected in the central Adriatic Sea along the Marche region as a mechanism to establish a biomonitoring model for human radiation exposure resulting from ingestion of this species. This mussel is an invasive warm-water species largely consumed by the local population and also exported to different countries. Among natural radionuclides, alpha emitters are considered responsible for a significant proportion of the radiation exposure of humans to background radiation, particularly through food consumption. The sampling was conducted in different seasons of the year in order to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of the natural radioactivity. Data was also compared to previous findings to corroborate our findings. The mean of activity concentration found was 2.34 ± 0.61 and 149 ± 58 Bq/kg dry for total uranium and 210Po, respectively. In mussels the concentration trend of the studied radionuclides was 40K > 210Po >> 210Pb > uranium isotopes. The mean individual dose due to ingestion of mussels for 210Po was in the range 1.65 ¥ 10−2 to 9.20 ¥ 10−2 mSv yr−1. The dose derived from uranium isotopes, 40K, and 210Pb was negligible. Data show that mussels may be considered a reliable species model for human biomonitoring for radiation exposure.