Radiocesium in mushrooms from selected locations in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic

Abstract

In this paper, activity concentrations of radiocesium in mushrooms from various locations in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic in the years 2000-2004 are presented. Summary reports of Czech regulatory bodies have judged the average activity concentrations in mushrooms to be remarkably below the maximum permissible level of contamination. However, there are certain regions where radiocesium activities have approached the maximum permissible level for contamination of basic foodstuff. For example, the highest activity concentration of (137)Cs measured by gamma-spectrometry was 2,263 Bq kg(-1) (on a dry mass basis), in Xerocomus badius from Staré Ransko (a locality in the Czech-Moravian Highlands, Czech Republic). The highest activity concentration of (137)Cs measured in Slovakia was 966 Bq kg(-1) (on a dry mass basis), for Suillus luteus from Senica. For comparison, the corresponding activity concentration in a sample taken within the 30 km zone around Chernobyl was measured to be 6,000 Bq kg(-1) (on a dry mass basis). Our results have also demonstrated remarkably lower activity concentrations of (137)Cs in Slovakia compared to those in the Czech Republic.

Transfer of Radiocesium into Wild Boar Meat

“…The combined relative standard uncertainties were calculated according to the Guide (1993). Details of the system were described by Dvořák et al (2006).…”

“…Xercomus badius, X. chrysenteron, Suillus variegatus, Cantharellus tubaeformis, C. lutescens, Rozites caperata, Hydnum repandum, Laccaria amethystina, Russula cyanoxantha belong to species of mushrooms with above-ground fruiting bodies that have the maximum capability to accumulate radiocesium (Rückert and Diehl 1987;Satoshi et al 1998;Kalač 2001;Felitz 2005;Dvořák et al 2006).…”

Radiocaesium activity concentrations in macrofungi from Galicia (NW Spain): Influence of environmental and genetic factors

“…In another study (Dvořák et al, 2006), the highest 137 Cs activity concentrations were found in Boletaceae, ranging from 400 to 6263 Bq kg À 1 dm. On the other hand, in leafy mushrooms (honey mushrooms, e.g.…”

“…Different species of macrofungi accumulate radionuclides to various degrees, as for example Xerocomus badius, which is known to be a good accumulator of radiocaesium. According to Dvořák et al (2006), fungi species were the primary source of variability in radionuclide accumulation.…”

Artificial environmental radionuclides in Europe and methods of lowering their foodstuff contamination – a review

“…Findings on the radiocaesium mass activity from different areas of the Czech and Slovak Republics in 2000-2004 were published by Dvořák et al (2006a). The highest 137 Cs activity of 6,263 Bq·kg -1 dry weight (measured by gamma spectrometry method) was found in Xerocomus badius from the Old Ransko area (Czech-Moravian Highlands).…”