Transfer of radionuclides to ants, mosses and lichens in semi-natural ecosystems

Abstract

There is a scarcity of data on transfer of both natural and anthropogenic radionuclides to detritivorous invertebrates for use in the assessment of radiation exposure. Although mosses and lichens have been extensively used in biomonitoring programs, the data on transfer of radionuclides to these species are limited, particularly for natural radionuclides. To enhance the available data, activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (226)Ra and (228)Ra were measured in ants, mosses and lichens and corresponding undisturbed soil collected from semi-natural ecosystems in Serbia and Montenegro and biota/soil concentration ratios (CR) calculated. Since the majority of internal dose to biota is expected to come from (40)K, the activity concentrations of this radionuclide were also determined. The mean CR values for (137)Cs, (226)Ra and (228)Ra in ants analyzed in this study were found to be 0.02, 0.06 and 0.02, respectively. The mean CR values of radionuclides in mosses were found to be 2.84 for (137)Cs, 0.19 for (226)Ra and 0.16 for (228)Ra, while those in lichens were found to be 1.08 for (137)Cs, 0.15 for (226)Ra and 0.13 for (228)Ra. The CR values obtained in this study were compared with default CR values used in the ERICA Tool database and also with those reported in other studies.

Contribution to the knowledge of the chemical composition, biological activities and activity concentration of 40K, 137Cs, 226Ra and 232Th of the lichen Evernia prunastri

“…The activity concentration of 40 K in the sample of E. prunastri obtained in this study was in accordance with the values published for activity concentrations of 40 K in the same species of lichen taken from sampling points in the area of the Serbia and Montenegro. 30…”

Pb-210 Isotope as a Pollutant Emission Indicator / Izotop Pb-210 Jako Znacznik Emisji Zanieczyszczeń

“…Despite the fact that mosses and lichens are commonly used in monitoring programs, data regarding transfer of radionuclides to those plants is limited, in particular with regard to natural radionuclides [21].…”

Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.: The Multifaceted Suitability of the Lung Lichen to Monitor Forest Ecosystems

“…A detailed list of these core articles is provided in Table 1. Biomonitoring PTEs, PAHs, HCHO: 14 [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63] Biomonitoring forest treatments: 15 [9,24,25,[64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75] Biomass: 6 [27][28][29][30][31]76] Biomonitoring radioactivity: 6 [77][78][79][80][81][82] Biomonitoring environmental and structural variables: 22 [23,25,43,[83][84][85][86][87]…”

“…Lobaria pulmonaria has been employed as a monitoring tool (as a biomonitor and/or as a bioindicator) in studies carried out in forest habitats around specific pollution sources [50][51][52][53][54]117,118]; in remote forest sites [55][56][57]; and in sites concerned by the long-range transportation of pollutants, such as radionuclides [77][78][79][80][81][82], acid rain depositions [119,120], or under controlled conditions in relation to specific pollutants [58][59][60][61][62][63].…”