Bolete mushroom Boletus bainiugan from Yunnan as a reflection of the geographical distribution of 210Po, 210Pb and uranium (234U, 235U, 238U) radionuclides, their intake rates and effective exposure doses.

This pioneering study aimed to determine the activity concentrations of 210Po, 210Pb and uranium (234U, 235U, 238U) radionuclides in fruit bodies of wild bolete Boletus bainiugan Dentinger and to estimate its edible safety, which may give scientific evidence for the consumption of this species. The analyses were performed using alpha spectrometer after digestion, exchange resins separation and deposition. Measurement data were analysed and interpolation maps reflecting 210Po, 210Pb and uranium (234U, 235U, 238U) geographical distribution in Yunnan province (China) were presented. In addition, from the perspective of food safety, the possible related effective radiation dose to mushrooms consumers were estimated. The results indicated that 210Po, 210Pb and uranium (234U, 235U, 238U) radionuclides contents in B. bainiugan were significantly different with respect to geographical distribution, and their possible intake in a part of the region was considerably higher. A very interesting observation was done according to the values of 235U/238U activity ratio indicating the occurrence of uranium faction from the global fallout of nuclear weapon tests.

Po uptake in microalgae at different seawater pH: An experimental study simulating ocean acidification.

Climate change effects such as ocean acidification (OA) are known to affect the trace metal distribution. This experimental study provides the first data on 209Po uptake rates and 210Po concentration in five microalgae species under different pH scenarios. The experiment was conducted in replicates at three pH conditions 8.2, 8.0, and 7.5, representing the current and future climate change scenario as per IPCC RCP8.5. The 209Po uptake in the phytoplankton was highest in Thalassiosira weissflogi, i.e. 83% of the 209Po tracer was taken up at 8.2 pH whereas the lowest uptake was observed in Dunaliella salina equivalent to 20% at 7.5 pH. Similar behavior was observed in 210Po concentrations in these microalgae, where 210Po ranged between 3.16 ± 0.03 and 11.6 ± 0.04 Bq kg-1 wet weight (ww), with the highest in the Thalassioria weissflogi at 8.2 pH, and the lowest in Dunaliella salina at 7.5 pH. The difference in 209Po uptake and 210Po concentration was statistically significant (p < 0.001) both among species and the pH treatments in the order: Thalassiosira weissflogi > Tetraselmis suecica > Chaetoceros muelleri > Isochrysis galbana > Dunaliella salina and 8.2 > 8.0 > 7.5. A higher concentration of 209Po in seawater was measured at low pH condition in all the experimental tanks. Though the data clearly show the difference in concentration and uptake of polonium at different pH conditions, it is not known if lower pH is affecting the adsorbed or absorbed fraction. A detailed investigation will be required to understand the process as it can have a significant effect on biomagnification and marine food chain transfer under changing climatic scenarios.

Isotopes of 210Po and 210Pb in Hazel bolete (Leccinellum pseudoscabrum) - bioconcentration, distribution and related dose assessment.

The hazel bolete Leccinellum pseudoscabrum (Kallenb.) Miksík 2017 specimens and beneath soil layer (0-10 cm) have been examined on the occasion of 210Po and 210Pb activity concentrations, the nuclide bioaccumulation potential by species and distribution in fruit bodies. Mushrooms and forest soils came from six geographically distant locations in the northern and central parts of Poland. The threat to humans from 210Po and 210Pb contained in mushrooms has been also assessed. The absolute values of the 210Po radioactivity, respectively, in caps and stems of fruit bodies were in the range 0.74 ± 0.06-8.59 ± 0.36 Bq kg-1 dry biomass and from 0.81 ± 0.06-8.23 ± 0.37 Bq kg-1 dry biomass, while the values of the 210Pb radioactivity in caps and stems were in the range 0.61 ± 0.04-6.33 ± 0.22 Bq kg-1 dry biomass and 0.83 ± 0.04-4.59 ± 0.24 Bq kg-1 dry biomass, respectively. A potential related effective dose assessment showed that mushrooms L. pseudoscabrum can contribute at 0.89-10.3 µSv kg-1 db from 210Po decay and 0.42-4.37 µSv kg-1 db from 210Pb decay.

An investigation on the seasonal variations of the biomarkers of oxidative stress response and their correlations to Polonium-210 in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and common sole (Solea solea) from Izmir Bay, Turkey.

It is well known that the marine organisms are used as biological indicators for environmental pollution studies. Among these studies, the research on oxidative stress has been increasing in recent years. In this study, mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and fish (Solea solea) samples were collected seasonally from Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey. This station was in an area where fishing is carried out for human consumption. The relationship between 210Po and oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidation (LPO), H2O2 and proline) was investigated in the mussel tissue (digestive gland, gills) and fish tissue (liver, gills) samples. The present study indicated that H2O2 accumulated with increasing 210Po concentration in mussel samples. Statistically significant correlation were found between H2O2 and 210Po and LPO and proline in mussel samples. This correlation between LPO and proline can be attributed to common environmental parameters (other than 210Po) affecting expression of both LPO and proline levels. There was not a significant correlation between 210Po and LPO levels. Similarly, a significant correlation was not found between 210Po and proline.

210Po and 210Pb bioaccumulation and possible related dose assessment in parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera).

Presented are results of a study on accumulation and distribution of 210Po and 210Pb in the fruitbodies of parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) and risk to human consumer due to exposure from highly radiotoxic decay particles emitted by both radionuclides. Mushrooms were collected from 16 forested places in central and northern regions of Poland. Activity concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb were determined after radiochemical separation of nuclides and subsequent measurement using validated method and alpha spectrometer. Results showed on spatially heterogeneous distribution of the 210Po and 210Po activity concentrations in M. procera and two interpolation maps were prepared. Activity concentrations of nuclides in dried caps of M. procera were in the range from 3.38 ± 0.41 to 16.70 ± 0.33 Bq∙210Po ∙kg-1 and from 5.11 ± 0.21 to 13.42 ± 0.30 Bq∙210Pb ∙kg-1. Consumption of M. procera foraged in central and northern Poland should not contribute significantly to the annual effective radiation doses from 210Po and 210Pb due to amount of both nuclides accumulated by fungus in caps.

Kinetics of 210Po accumulation in moss body profiles.

Radionuclide concentration analysis of total moss bodies often gave relatively different results than a separate analysis of each different morphological part of the same sample. The dynamics of the transfer of metals by dust uplifted from the soil and another approach, based on the diffusion of the two radionuclides to the moss, have been analyzed. In the proposed model, short- and long-term approaches have been applied. Each part of a moss's profile can show different radionuclides accumulation ability, including both 210Pb and 210Po isotopes. A first-order kinetic model has been used for 210Po and 210Pb transport between three body components of mosses. This mathematical approach has been applied for 210Po activity concentration in the air estimation. For relatively clean deep forest region, calculated concentrations were from 17.2 to 43.8 µBqm-3, while for urban air concentrations were higher from 49.1 to 104.9 µBqm-3.

210Po bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in marine food chains in the northern Arabian Gulf.

The tendency of 210Po to concentrate in body tissue poses a serious concern of radiological safety. This study compiles available information and presents recent 210Po data for the marine food web in the northern Gulf waters. Since 210Po is concentrated in marine biota, a large number of samples of various marine organisms covering several trophic levels, from microalgae to sharks, were analyzed. 210Po was found to be highly concentrated in several marine species with the highest 210Po concentrations found in yellowfin tuna, i.e. 37.3-44.9, 451-548, and 1511-1693 Bq kg-1 wwt in muscle, digestive system and liver, respectively. In most dissected fish samples, 210Po showed increasing concentrations in the following order: edible tissue, gills, digestive system, liver and fecal matter. Fish feces had 210Po concentrations several orders of magnitude higher than that in seawater, fish muscle, and the fishes' ingested food. The high 210Po concentration in fish fecal matter suggests that the bulk of 210Po content in fish is eventually excreted back into the environment as fecal pellets. In most fish high concentrations were noted in liver, with the highest 210Po concentration recorded in yellowfin tuna liver. Moreover, 210Po concentration in the soft tissue of tunicate and bryozoan samples were 872-1012 and 402-527 Bq kg-1 wwt, respectively, far higher than that in fish muscle (0.04-44.9 Bq kg-1 wwt). It was observed that the maximum 210Po concentration in edible fish tissue among the fish in trophic level 2 was an order of magnitude lower than those in trophic level 3 and two orders of magnitude lower compared to fish in trophic level 4. The highest concentrations in the muscle tissue were observed in the following order: tunicate > bryozoan > mollusc > crustacean > algae > fish. Among all the biota analyzed, the highest overall concentration of 210Po was noted in yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacores) indicating a potential biomagnification of 210Po in this particular top predator species. In general, 210Po concentrations found in the commercially important fish from Kuwaiti waters were comparable to levels that have been reported for similar fish species from several other marine areas worldwide.

210Po secretion from sweat glands.

The results of the research indicated that the 210Po activity concentration in sweat samples was between 0.22 ± 0.03 to 2.10 ± 0.15 mBq·g-1 d.w. The obtained results of the studies showed that smoking and eating fish led to higher activity concentrations of 210Po in sweat in comparison to the control group. Statistical analysis of 210Po activity concentrations in sweat samples showed significant differences between control, smoking, fish eating and age groups, while no significant differences was found for 210Po between volunteers as far as gender is concerned.

Radionuclides (210Po and 210Pb) and Some Heavy Metals in Fish and Sediments in Lake Bafa, Turkey, and the Contribution of 210Po to the Radiation Dose.

The pollution level of Lake Bafa was investigated by collecting fish samples {Dicentrarchus labrax (sea bass), Liza ramada (mullet) and Anguilla anguilla (eel)}, surface sediment, and core samples. In all these samples, 210Po and 210Pb concentrations were estimated, and total annual dose rates were obtained for each species. Some heavy metal (Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, Mn, Fe, and Zn) concentration levels were obtained for the fish and a core sample. The sediment mass accumulation rate was found to be 3.27 g·m-2·day-1 (0.119 g·cm-2·y-1) from a core sample. The heavy metal concentrations in the vertical profile of samples from the core were also observed. The measured concentration of Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cr were between the ERL (effects range low) and ERM (effects range median) limits, while Ni concentrations were higher than the ERM limit. The observed concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in fish samples did not exceed the limits in accordance with Turkish Food Regulations. Further, the maximum effective dose equivalent of 210Po in the area was found to be 1.169 µSv·y-1.

Polonium-210 levels in different environmental samples.

Polonium-210 is analysed in different samples which can be affected by the presence of a dicalcium phosphate plant (DCP). Particularly, it was determined in sludge samples from a drinking water treatment plant located downstream of the phosphate plant. From the obtained results, it was not possible to establish a correlation with the industrial activities carried out in the DCP plant since the measured activities were comparable to the reported in the literature for normal soils. This isotope was also monitored in different biota species (as mussels) taken also downstream of the DCP, and the potential risk of their ingestion by calculating the total effective doses was evaluated. As a result, it is important to highlight that the ingestion of these mussels does not constitute a risk for the population since the found doses were lower than the values published by UNSCEAR.

210Po and 210Pb trophic transfer within the phytoplankton-zooplankton-anchovy/sardine food web: a case study from the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea).

The transfer of (210)Po and (210)Pb in the food web of small pelagic fishes (from phytoplankton and zooplankton to anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and sardine Sardina pilchardus) is investigated in the Gulf of Lion (GoL). We present original data of (210)Po and (210)Pb activity concentrations, C and N stable isotope ratios, measured (i) from different size classes of phytoplankton and zooplankton during spring and winter in different environments of the GoL, and (ii) in two fish species. Significant spatial patterns based on (210)Po, (210)Pb activity concentrations and (210)Po/(210)Pb ratios in the different plankton size classes are evidenced by hierarchical clustering, both in spring and winter. This variability, also observed for C and N stable isotopes ratios, is connected to local specific pelagic habitats and hydrodynamics. The sampling strategy suggests that (210)Po bioaccumulation in the GoL remains at a constant level from the first (dominated by phytoplankton) to the second trophic level (zooplankton), while (210)Pb bioaccumulation shows an increase in winter. Based on stable N isotope ratios and (210)Po activity concentrations measured in anchovies and sardines, we evidence (210)Po bio-magnification along the trophic food web of these two planktivorous pelagic fishes.

[Polonium-210 acute and chronic pathomorphology and pathogenesis].

In the present review, the data on the pathology of acute and chronic polonium injuries available from the an open-access domestic and foreign literature are primarily systemized and analyzed. The historical background of the research is presented in brief. On the basis of clinical and experimental generalizations, the current concept regarding the pathogenesis of polonium intoxication has been developed.

Transfer of ²¹°Po, ²¹°Pb and ²³8U from some medicinal plants to their essential oils.

Essential oils were extracted from 35 medicinal plants used by Syrians, organic compounds were determined in these oils and concentrations of (210)Po (210)Pb and (238)U were determined in the original plants and in the essential oils. The results showed that the highest activity concentrations of (210)Po and (210)Pb were found in leaves with large surfaces and in Sage were as high as 73.5 Bq kg(-1) and 73.2 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The activity concentration of (238)U was as high as 4.26 Bq kg(-1) in Aloe. On the other hand, activity concentrations of (210)Po ranged between 0.2 and 71.1 Bq kg(-1) in extracted essential oils for Rosemary and False yellowhead, respectively. The activity concentration of (210)Pb reached 63.7 Bq kg(-1) in Aloe oil. The activity concentrations of (238)U were very low in all extracted oils; the highest value was 0.31 Bq kg(-1) in peel of Orange oil. The transfer of (210)Po and (210)Pb from plant to its oil was the highest for Eugenia; 7.1% and 5.5% for (210)Po and (210)Pb, respectively. A linear relationship was found between the transfer factor of radionuclides from plant to its essential oil and the chemical content of this oil.

A statistical approach to investigating enhancement of polonium-210 in the Eastern Irish Sea arising from discharges from a former phosphate processing plant.

Since the cessation of phosphoric acid production (in 1992) and subsequent closure and decommissioning (2004) of the Rhodia Consumer Specialties Limited plant in Whitehaven, the concentration levels of polonium-210 ((210)Po) in local marine materials have declined towards a level more typical of natural background. However, enhanced concentrations of (210)Po and lead-210 ((210)Pb), due to this historic industrial activity (plant discharges and ingrowth of (210)Po from (210)Pb), have been observed in fish and shellfish samples collected from this area over the last 20 years. The results of this monitoring, and assessments of the dose from these radionuclides, to high-rate aquatic food consumers are published annually in the Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) report series. The RIFE assessment uses a simple approach to determine whether and by how much activity is enhanced above the normal background. As a potential tool to improve the assessment of enhanced concentrations of (210)Po in routine dose assessments, a formal statistical test, where the null hypothesis is that the Whitehaven area is contaminated with (210)Po, was applied to sample data. This statistical, modified "green", test has been used in assessments of chemicals by the OSPAR commission. It involves comparison of the reported environmental concentrations of (210)Po in a given aquatic species against its corresponding Background Assessment Concentration (BAC), which is based upon environmental samples collected from regions assumed to be not enhanced by industrial sources of (210)Po, over the period for which regular monitoring data are available (1990-2010). Unlike RIFE, these BAC values take account of the variability of the natural background level. As an example, for 2010 data, crab, lobster, mussels and winkles passed the modified "green" test (i.e. the null hypothesis is rejected) and as such are deemed not to be enhanced. Since the cessation of phosphoric acid production in 1992, the modified "green" test pass rate for crustaceans is ∼53% and ∼64% for molluscs. Results of dose calculations are made (i) using the RIFE approach and (ii) with the application of the modified "green" test, where samples passing the modified "green" test are assumed to have background levels and hence zero enhancement of (210)Po. Applying the modified "green" test reduces the dose on average by 44% over the period of this study (1990-2010).

²¹°Po, Cd and Pb distribution and biomagnification in the yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares and skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis from the Eastern Pacific.

We measured Cd and Pb in the muscle and stomach contents of Thunnus albacares and Katsuwonus pelamis to define the distribution of the elements in the tissues and their degrees of biomagnification. (210)Po was measured in the livers of both species and compared to the results of similar studies. The trophic position of the tuna species was determined by N isotope measurements. The average activity of (210)Po in the liver ranged from 119 to 157 (Bq kg(-1) wet weight) in K. pelamis and T. albacares. The trophic position of T. albacares (4.60) was higher than that of K. pelamis (3.94). The Cd content of the muscle increased significantly with the trophic position of the tuna. δ(13)C in T. albacares and K. pelamis varied, with values of 3.13 and 1.88‰, respectively. The δ(15)N values in yellowfin tuna were higher than in skipjack tuna. The trophic position of T. albacares (4.60 ± 0.67) was therefore more elevated than that of K. pelamis (3.94 ± 1.06). Pb was biomagnified in T. albacares (transfer factor=1.46).

Polonium-210 in marine mussels (bivalve molluscs) inhabiting the southern coast of India.

The present study focused on the determination of the alpha-emitter, (210)Po, in two species of marine mussels (bivalve molluscs) commonly available in the southern coastal region of India. The brown mussel, Perna indica was collected from the west coast and the green mussel, Perna viridis from the east coast. The concentration of (210)Po was related to the allometry (length of shell, wet/dry weight of shell/soft tissue) of the mussels and significant results were found. The study period focused on three seasons namely, pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon for a 1-year period (2010-2011). The results revealed higher activity levels in smaller-sized mussels compared to larger ones. Marked variation in (210)Po activity concentration was noted in the whole-body soft tissues between seasons and sampling site (p < 0.05). The dose rate assessment for mussels was performed using the ERICA Assessment tool. The chronic exposure to mussels due to (210)Po was found to be lesser than the global benchmark dose rate of 10 µGy h(-1). The effective ingestion dose to adults who intake mussels was estimated to be in the range 5.1-34.9 µSv y(-1). The measurement contributes to the furthering of knowledge of (210)Po, since no data exist in this region.

Polonium-210 and Caesium-137 in lynx (Lynx lynx), wolverine (Gulo gulo) and wolves (Canis lupus).

Wolves, lynx and wolverines are on the top of the food-chain in northern Scandinavia and Finland. (210)Po and (137)Cs have been analysed in samples of liver, kidney and muscle from 28 wolves from Sweden. In addition blood samples were taken from 27 wolves. In 9 of the wolves, samples of muscle, liver and blood were analysed for (210)Po. Samples of liver and muscle were collected from 16 lynx and 16 wolverines from Norway. The liver samples were analysed for (210)Po and (137)Cs. Only (137)Cs analyses were carried out for the muscle samples. The wolves were collected during the winter 2010 and 2011, while the samples for lynx and wolverines were all from 2011. The activity concentrations of (210)Po in wolves were higher for liver (range 20-523 Bq kg(-1) d.w.) and kidney (range 24-942 Bq kg(-1) d.w.) than muscle (range 1-43 Bq kg(-1) d.w.) and blood (range 2-54 Bq kg(-1) d.w.). Activity ratios, (210)Po/(210)Pb, in wolf samples of muscle, liver and blood were in the ranges 2-77, 9-56 and 2-54. Using a wet weight ratio of 3.8 the maximal absorbed dose from (210)Po to wolf liver was estimated to 3500 µGy per year. Compared to wolf, the ranges of (210)Po in liver samples were lower in lynx (range 22-211 Bq kg(-1) d.w.) and wolverine (range16-160 Bq kg(-1) d.w.). Concentration of (137)Cs in wolf samples of muscle, liver, kidney and blood were in the ranges 70-8410 Bq kg(-1) d.w., 36-4050 Bq kg(-1) d.w., 31-3453 Bq kg(-1) d.w. and 4-959 Bq kg(-1) d.w., respectively. (137)Cs in lynx muscle and liver samples were in the ranges 44-13393 Bq kg(-1) d.w. and 125-10260 Bq kg(-1) d.w. The corresponding values for (137)Cs in wolverine were 22-3405 Bq kg(-1) d.w. for liver and 53-4780 Bq kg(-1) d.w. for muscle. The maximal absorbed dose from (137)Cs to lynx was estimated to 3000 µGy per year.

(210)Polonium and (210)lead content of marine birds from Southeastern Brazil.

In this study, we report the (210)Po and (210)Pb concentrations of bone, muscle and liver samples that were obtained from twelve different marine bird species stranded on beaches in the central-north region of Rio de Janeiro State. Both radionuclides were highly concentrated in the liver samples; however, the lowest mean (210)Po/(210)Pb activity ratio (1.3) was observed in bones compared with liver and muscle (16.8 and 13.8, respectively). Among the species that were studied, Fregata magnificens, with a diet based exclusively on fish, had the lowest (210)Pb and (210)Po concentrations and the lowest (210)Po/(210)Pb activity ratio. The (210)Po concentrations in Puffinus spp. liver samples followed a log-normal distribution, with a geometric mean of 300 Bq kg(-1)wet weight. Only two references pertaining to (210)Po in marine birds were found in a Web of Science search of the literature, and each study reported a different concentration value. The values determined in this experiment are consistent with those in one of the previous studies, which also included one of the species studied in this work. No values for (210)Pb in marine birds have been published previously.

Bioaccumulation of 210Po in common gastropod and bivalve species from the northern Gulf.

This study sets the baseline for the concentration of the natural-series radionuclide polonium-210 in two species of gastropods and four species of bivalves that are common to the Northern Arabian/Persian Gulf. (210)Po is primarily absorbed from water and via ingestion of detrital material by gastropoda and bivalves. This concentrated (210)Po can then be passed along to the next trophic level of the marine food web. The lowest (210)Po concentration was measured in the gastropod Stomatella auricular (10.36-12.39Bq kg(-1)dry) and the highest in the bivalve Marica marmorata (193.51-215.60Bq kg(-1)dry). The measured concentration factor for these molluscs in the northern Gulf varied between 4.8 and 115×10(3), values very similar to the IAEA recommended value for bivalves and gastropods of 2×10(4).