Abstract
Transfer of natural radionuclides 210Pb, 210Po, 238U, and 228,230,232Th in subarctic food chains has been studied in Finland since the 1960s. The unique food chain lichen-reindeer-man related to Sami people in Finnish Lapland and other food chain options, from berries or mushrooms to man, have been explored and the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in biological samples determined. The results from Finnish radioecological studies are summarized and differences in bioaccumulation between different radionuclides are discussed. It was found out that, although a substantial amount of activity concentration data exist from the research projects executed in Finland during the last 6 decades, more data, especially from U and Th, in biological environment and humans would be useful, e.g., for modeling purposes and for improved assessment of bioaccumulation and adverse effects (both radiological and chemical) of radionuclides.
Highlights
Following the atmospheric nuclear tests in the 1950s and early 1960s, several radioecological research projects focusing on thearctic food-chain lichen-reindeer/caribouman were initiated in Scandinavia and North America [1,2,3]
This concerns both artificial and natural radionuclides, even though the first research projects dealt with 137 Cs and other fission product nuclides
It was observed that the natural radionuclides 210 Pb and 210 Po are enriched in this food chain as well
Summary
Following the atmospheric nuclear tests in the 1950s and early 1960s, several radioecological research projects focusing on the (sub)arctic food-chain lichen-reindeer/caribouman were initiated in Scandinavia and North America [1,2,3]. Owing to the long half-life, the natural radionuclides in and the food-chains mushroom/vegetat specific activity of 232 Th is low its potentiallichen-reindeer-man, threat against human health might be reindeer-man, and mushroom/vegetation-man in Finnish. Amount of historical environmental ra main aim of this data literature review is A to large summarize the obtained data concerning natural in the food-chains lichen-reindeer-man, mushroom/vegetationactivityradionuclides data was published only in reports with limited availability It is fe reindeer-man, and mushroom/vegetation-man in Finland), and ble to collect old and newer research data of natural radionuclides in terrestrial envi some supporting data is included. It is feasible to ranium in the subarctic chains ininFinland been published pr collect oldradionuclides and newer research data of naturalfood radionuclides terrestrialhas environment in ously [8] Original data is ispublished [9]
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