Global distribution of radionuclides (137Cs and 40K) in marine mammals.
Concentrations of anthropogenic radionuclides were measured in the muscle of marine mammals collected from various locations all over the world, and the global distribution of 137Cs in marine mammals was investigated. 40K was detected in all the specimens of marine mammals with no apparent difference between regions. An anthropogenic radionuclide, 137Cs, was detected in most of the species of marine mammals. With regard to the worldwide distribution of 137Cs, the highest concentration was noticed in the U.K. coast, followed by Lake Baikal, and decreases toward the southern sampling points. A strong positive correlation was observed between 137Cs levels in the muscle of marine mammals and the ambient seawater. Marine mammals feeding on fishes showed a higher concentration factor (CF) for 137Cs than those feeding on cephalopods. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the global distribution of 137Cs and the effect of feeding habits on the CF values of 137Cs in marine mammals.
Ehime Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science, Sanbancho 8-234, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0003, Japan. yositome-ryuuji@pref.ehime.jp
Ryuji
R
Yoshitome
Takashi
T
Kunito
Tokutaka
T
Ikemoto
Shinsuke
S
Tanabe
Hisataka
H
Zenke
Masanobu
M
Yamauchi
Nobuyuki
N
Miyazaki
D000818:Animals; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004032:Diet; D004289:Dolphins; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D046048:Seals, Earless; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014907:Whales
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive