Abstract
The Chernobyl accident had a great impact on the semidomestic reindeer husbandry in central Norway. Seasonal differences in habitat and diet resulted in large variations in observed radiocesium concentrations in reindeer after the Chernobyl accident. In three areas with high values of cesium-134 and cesium-137 in lichens, the main feed for reindeer in winter, reindeer were sampled every second month to monitor the seasonal variation and the decrease rate of the radioactivity. The results are based on measurements of cesium-134 and cesium-137 content in meat and blood and by whole-body monitoring of live animals. In 1987 the increase of radiocesium content in reindeer in Vågå were 4x from August to January. The mean reductions in radiocesium content from the winter 1986/87 to the winter 1987/88 were 32%, 50% and 43% in the areas of Vågå, Østre-Namdal and Lom respectively.
Highlights
Reindeer eat lichens predominantly during winter, with lower intake during the rest o f the year
The measurement o f cesium 134 (Cs-134) and cesium 137 (Cs-137) concentrations in skeletal muscle was done by a Canberra 35, 3 x 3 inch Nal-crystal at the National Institute of Radiation Hygiene
Cs-134 and Cs-137 concentrations in reindeer were lower in winter 1987/1988 compared to winter 1986/1987 in all three areas
Summary
Reindeer eat lichens predominantly during winter, with lower intake during the rest o f the year. Radiocesium concentrations in lichens do decrease with an effective half-time of 3 to 8 years (Martin and Koranda, 1971). T h e rate at which elements are eliminated from ruminant animals is influenced by factors such as body size, age, sex, physiological condition and activity (Reichle, Dunaway, and Nelson, 1970). Cesium turnover in reindeer is two or three times faster during summer than in winter (Holleman, Luick, and Whicker 1971). T h e seasonal change in habitat and diet in addition to the biological factors, resulted in large seasonal variation in observed radiocesium concentration in reindeer, in central Norway after the accident in Chernobyl. T h i s study monitored the seasonal changes and yearly reduction in concentrations o f cesium 134 (Cs-134) and cesium 137 (Cs-137) in reindeer
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