Distribution of 137Cs in benthic plants along depth profiles in the outer Puck Bay (Baltic Sea)

Abstract

A study was conducted on three macroalgae species: Polysiphonia fucoides and Furcellaria lumbricalis, the species of the red algae division, and Cladophora glomerata, representing the green algae division, as well as Zostera marina, representing vascular plants. The main aim of the study was to recognize the level of 137Cs concentrations in the plants, which could be used as a measurement of bioaccumulation efficiency in the selected macrophytes at varying depths, and in the seasonal resolution of the vegetation period: spring–summer and autumnal. The plants’ biomass clearly showed seasonal variability, as did the 137Cs concentrations in the plants. Cesium activity also changed with depth. Seasonal variability in radionuclide content in the plants, as well as the differences in its activity determined along the depth profile, were related mainly to the plant biomass and the dilution effect caused by the biomass increment and reflected the growth dynamics. P. fucoides showed much greater bioaccumulation ability at each depth as compared to C. glomerata, a green algae. Lower concentrations of 137Cs were also identified in F. lumbricalis and in Z. marina, mostly as a result of differences in morphology and physiology. P. fucoides can be recommended as a bioindicator for the monitoring of 137Cs contamination due to the high efficiency of bioaccumulation and the available biomass along the depth profile, as well as the occurrence throughout the entire vegetation season.

Reference organisms for assessing the impact of ionizing radiation on the environment of the southern Baltic Sea

“…Taking into account this short bioaccumulation period, the CF obtained for P. fucoides is unexpectedly high. Analyses of seasonal changes in 137 Cs concentrations in selected macrophytes, conducted in our laboratory, showed that seasonality significantly influenced bioaccumulation efficiency, especially during the vegetation period (Zalewska 2012a(Zalewska , 2012b.…”

Bioaccumulation of gamma emitting radionuclides in Polysiphonia fucoides

“…Filamentous algae or plants with an expanded exterior, which facilitates the exchange of elements with the environment, are at an advantage. Polysiphonia fucoides , a red algae, proved to be one of the best accumulating plants and contained the highest activity concentrations of 137 Cs in consecutive years, and the highest concentration coefficient values [ 26 , 28 , 29 ]. Its bioaccumulation ability towards other radioactive isotopes was confirmed in preliminary laboratory experiments [ 27 ].…”