The effectiveness of alginates to reduce the transfer of radiostrontium to the milk of dairy goats

Beresford, N.A.; Mayes, R.W.; MacEachern, P.J.; Dodd, B.A.; Lamb, C.S.. 1999 The effectiveness of alginates to reduce the transfer of radiostrontium to the milk of dairy goats. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 44 (1). 43-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(98)00066-6

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract/Summary

In the event of a nuclear accident the radiation dose to human populations arising from radiostrontium ingested as contaminated milk is a major cause of concern. We report a study to determine if calcium alginate incorporated into the diet can be used as an effective countermeasure to reduceradiostrontium transfer to the milk of dairygoats. When Ca-alginate was included into a pelleted ration at 5% dry weight the transfer of radiostrontium to the milk of the goats was reduced by approximately 50%. No effects on diet palatability or the absorption of iron or calcium were observed. Ca-alginate was readily fermentable and hence its potential binding capacity is likely to be reduced in ruminants compared to monogastrics. The Ca-alginate also supplied additional calcium to the diet in an amount which may explain the observed reduction in radiostrontium transfer to milk. Therefore, currently, we cannot be certain if the effect we observed was due to alginate or calcium.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(98)00066-6
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Other
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	_ Pre-2000 sections
ISSN:	0265-931X
Additional Keywords:	radioecology
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	24 May 2012 08:37 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/17777

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...