Characterization of 241Pu occurrence, distribution, and bioaccumulation in seabirds from northern Eurasia

Abstract

The paper presents unique data of plutonium 241Pu study in seabirds from northern Eurasia, permanently or temporally living at the southern Baltic Sea coast. Together, ten marine birds species were examined, as follows: three species that permanently reside at the southern Baltic, four species of wintering birds, and three species of migrating birds; 366 samples were analyzed. The obtained results indicated plutonium was non-uniformly distributed in organs and tissues of analyzed seabirds. The highest 241Pu content was found in the digestion organs and feathers, the lowest in muscles. Also, the internal radiation doses from 241Pu were evaluated.

Alpha spectrometry in radiochemical analysis and its application in the study of the natural environment

“…Seabirds are typical double habitat (land and water) organisms, characterized by high body temperature and fast metabolism. Studies on 239+240 Pu concentration in southern Baltic sea seabirds showed that plutonium content was significantly differentiated among species, their tissues and organs [47,48]. The results of plutonium determination in marine organisms indicate its increase in the sequence as follows: seabirds < fish < zooplankton < phytoplankton < zoobenthos < phytobenthos.…”