“…However, higher transfer of Mn was observed in our study than suggested by the range of generic values given by IAEA for Mn. Overall, the high variation of CRs in these studies is consistent with findings indicating that CRs are highly site-specific and affected by factors such as concentration of the studied element in soil (Tuovinen et al 2016a) as well as concentrations of other elements and soil properties (Roivainen et al 2011a, b). As all influential factors are typically not known for the site for which predictions are produced, CR-based prediction models are inherently uncertain, heavily influenced by the selection of CR values and able to produce only approximate predictions.…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 90%
“… Fig. 2 Concentrations of elements (mg kg −1 ) in earthworms collected from the field (n = 9) as a function of the concentrations of the elements observed in earthworms (n = 5) in an experimental mesocosm study (Tuovinen et al 2016a ). Solid line represents linear regression between the concentrations measured in the field and the mesocosm studies (Slope = 1.02; 95% confidence interval 0.96–1.08; R 2 = 0.97).…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The mesocosm study was carried out at the Research Garden of University of Eastern Finland between years 2011 and 2012. The details and full results of the study focusing on studying transfer of Co, Mo, Ni, Pb, Th, U and Zn in boreal food chain were reported by Tuovinen et al ( 2016a ). In this paper, we report the concentrations of all measured 34 elements in soil and earthworms and compare them to the results of the field study.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 98%
“…The mesocosm study was carried out at the Research Garden of University of Eastern Finland between years 2011 and 2012. The details and full results of the study focusing on studying transfer of Co, Mo, Ni, Pb, Th, U and Zn in boreal food chain were reported by Tuovinen et al (2016a).…”
Section: Mesocosm Studymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The aim of the study was to provide CR values needed in transfer models. The second aim was to compare the earthworm data of the field study with data from an experimental mesocosm study, previously carried out using soil collected from the same forest site (Tuovinen et al 2016a ). Because it is challenging to obtain species-specific empirical data for all species, it is a common practice in current radioecological modelling to predict transfer into organisms using generic categories such as ‘’arthropods’’ or ‘’annelids’’ rather than a single genus or species (IAEA 2014 ).…”
Data on the transfer of elements (such as heavy metals) and their radionuclides into organisms is needed for assessing environmental risks. The current data on many elements, species and environments is limited, but more information can be obtained both from field studies and experimental laboratory studies. However, it is essential to evaluate whether experimental studies adequately predict transfer in natural conditions. Moreover, because of the sparsity of species-specific empirical data, it is a common practice in current radioecological modelling to use data available for related species under the assumption that transfer into organisms is similar within broader taxonomic groups. Earthworms and ground beetles are examples of important invertebrates living near soil surface in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, the transfer of 34 elements from soil to these organisms was studied in a field study conducted in boreal forest. The earthworm concentrations were compared to the values obtained in an experimental mesocosm study using soil from the field site and were found to be highly correlated. This indicates that the results of mesocosm studies can be used for predicting the transfer of elements from soil to fauna in natural conditions. Furthermore, concentrations in individual earthworm and beetle species were found to be similar to those observed in broader groups of related species, indicating that the generic approach used in current radioecological models may be useful for predicting uptake of elements into single species.
“…However, higher transfer of Mn was observed in our study than suggested by the range of generic values given by IAEA for Mn. Overall, the high variation of CRs in these studies is consistent with findings indicating that CRs are highly site-specific and affected by factors such as concentration of the studied element in soil (Tuovinen et al 2016a) as well as concentrations of other elements and soil properties (Roivainen et al 2011a, b). As all influential factors are typically not known for the site for which predictions are produced, CR-based prediction models are inherently uncertain, heavily influenced by the selection of CR values and able to produce only approximate predictions.…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 90%
“… Fig. 2 Concentrations of elements (mg kg −1 ) in earthworms collected from the field (n = 9) as a function of the concentrations of the elements observed in earthworms (n = 5) in an experimental mesocosm study (Tuovinen et al 2016a ). Solid line represents linear regression between the concentrations measured in the field and the mesocosm studies (Slope = 1.02; 95% confidence interval 0.96–1.08; R 2 = 0.97).…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The mesocosm study was carried out at the Research Garden of University of Eastern Finland between years 2011 and 2012. The details and full results of the study focusing on studying transfer of Co, Mo, Ni, Pb, Th, U and Zn in boreal food chain were reported by Tuovinen et al ( 2016a ). In this paper, we report the concentrations of all measured 34 elements in soil and earthworms and compare them to the results of the field study.…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 98%
“…The mesocosm study was carried out at the Research Garden of University of Eastern Finland between years 2011 and 2012. The details and full results of the study focusing on studying transfer of Co, Mo, Ni, Pb, Th, U and Zn in boreal food chain were reported by Tuovinen et al (2016a).…”
Section: Mesocosm Studymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The aim of the study was to provide CR values needed in transfer models. The second aim was to compare the earthworm data of the field study with data from an experimental mesocosm study, previously carried out using soil collected from the same forest site (Tuovinen et al 2016a ). Because it is challenging to obtain species-specific empirical data for all species, it is a common practice in current radioecological modelling to predict transfer into organisms using generic categories such as ‘’arthropods’’ or ‘’annelids’’ rather than a single genus or species (IAEA 2014 ).…”
Data on the transfer of elements (such as heavy metals) and their radionuclides into organisms is needed for assessing environmental risks. The current data on many elements, species and environments is limited, but more information can be obtained both from field studies and experimental laboratory studies. However, it is essential to evaluate whether experimental studies adequately predict transfer in natural conditions. Moreover, because of the sparsity of species-specific empirical data, it is a common practice in current radioecological modelling to use data available for related species under the assumption that transfer into organisms is similar within broader taxonomic groups. Earthworms and ground beetles are examples of important invertebrates living near soil surface in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, the transfer of 34 elements from soil to these organisms was studied in a field study conducted in boreal forest. The earthworm concentrations were compared to the values obtained in an experimental mesocosm study using soil from the field site and were found to be highly correlated. This indicates that the results of mesocosm studies can be used for predicting the transfer of elements from soil to fauna in natural conditions. Furthermore, concentrations in individual earthworm and beetle species were found to be similar to those observed in broader groups of related species, indicating that the generic approach used in current radioecological models may be useful for predicting uptake of elements into single species.
Radioecological modeling requires information about the transfer of different elements and their radionuclides. These models have traditionally used radionuclide concentrations in water to predict concentrations in aquatic organisms. In addition, these models often assume this accumulation to be linear. In this study, we investigated the transfer of Ba, Co, Ni, Sr, U, and Zn from sediment and artificial freshwater to laboratory-reared benthic Oligochaeta (Lumbriculus variegatus). Total elemental concentrations were used as substitute measurements for specific radionuclides. The radioactive isotopes of these metals are an important part of the nuclear fuel cycle. During various parts of this cycle, they can end up in aquatic environments, mostly at low concentrations. Sediment samples were collected from three small lakes connected to a former uranium mine in Eastern Finland, as well as from a reference lake from a different drainage area nearby. A 28-day bioaccumulation experiment was conducted using collected samples and artificial freshwater. Concentrations measured from sediment, porewater, overlying water, and L. variegatus indicated importance of sediment as a source of uptake for all tested metals. Linear accumulation assumption (constant concentration ratio) also did not appear to be correct for most metals. Metal uptake by L. variegatus seemed to reduce at higher sediment concentrations for most metals, except for Ba and Co. Thus, the common assumptions related to radioecological modeling were not supported by our findings for majority of tested metals and accumulation sources. Further basic research is required to develop more accurate and robust radioecological models.
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