[Concentration and behavior of radiocesium in higher basidiomycetes in some Kanto and the Koshin districts, Japan].

Concentration of 137Cs, 134Cs and potassium were measured in several higher fungi and in substrates, soils, woods and litters in some Kanto and the Koshin districts, Japan, following the Chernobyl accident during October to November 1989. 137Cs concentrations in fungi were in the range of 0.7-101 Bq kg-1.fresh. Maximum 137Cs level in them was observed in Boletopsis leucomelas (Pers.: Fr.) Fayod. Significnatly higher levels of concentration ratios of 137Cs in fungi to substrates (e.g.; 137Cs concentration.fresh in fungus/137Cs concentration.dry in soil), 10(-1) to 10 x 10(-1), were found nearly 10 to 1000 times as much as leaf vegetables, root crops and potatoes to substrates. It was confirmed that levels of concentration ratios of potassium were similar to those of 137Cs. In all fungi, 134Cs which released from the Chernobyl accident and is not present in nuclear weapons fallout was not detected.

Metal content of shark muscle powder biological reference material.

Powdered dried shark muscle (Cephaloscyllium umbratile) is a promising biological reference material for metal analysis. Homogeneity indices (CV%) for Na, K, Zn, As, Ca, and Hg of the shark powder were within 5%. Mercury and arsenic concentrations (total Hg, 9.1 ppm dry wt, As, 99 ppm dry wt) in shark powder are relatively high. Muscle can be obtained inexpensively, and the powder can be preserved indefinitely if kept cold.