Transfer of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides to ants, bryophytes and lichen in a semi-natural ecosystem

Dragovic, Snezana; Howard, Brenda J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9698-9524; Caborn, Jane A.; Barnett, Catherine L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9723-7247; Mihailovic, Nevena. 2010 Transfer of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides to ants, bryophytes and lichen in a semi-natural ecosystem. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 166. 677-686. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1032-4

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Official URL: http://www.springerlink.com/content/3184205190j76k...

Abstract/Summary

Few data are available to quantify the transfer of both natural and anthropogenic radionuclides to detritivorous invertebrates to facilitate estimation of the internal dose to such biota in models used to assess radiation exposure. To enhance the available data, activity concentrations of 137Cs, 40K, 90Sr, 239 + 240Pu, 241Am, 235U and 238U were measured in ants (Formicidae) and corresponding undisturbed soil collected from the Zlatibor mountain in Serbia and ant/soil concentration ratios (CR) calculated. The 241Am concentration ratios for ants were fourfold higher than those calculated for ants in a previous study whereas they are similar to the more numerous data previously reported for a range of detritivorous invertebrates in other studies. CR values for 137Cs in ants were similar to the few other reported values and slightly lower than those for a range of detritivorous invertebrates. Those for 239 + 240Pu were slightly higher than those for ants in two other studies but they were close to upper limit of a range of data reported for detritivorous invertebrates. All the CR values will be included in a future revision of the ERICA Tool database and will particularly improve the information available for uranium.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1032-4
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.2 - Provide the evidence base for setting Environment Quality Standards ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore
ISSN:	0167-6369
Additional Keywords:	ants, detritivorous invertebrate, concentration ratio, ERICA, radioecology
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	16 Aug 2010 13:07 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/8622

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1032-4

Programmes:

CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.2 - Provide the evidence base for setting Environment Quality Standards ...

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Shore

ISSN:

0167-6369

Additional Keywords:

ants, detritivorous invertebrate, concentration ratio, ERICA, radioecology