Cs-137 in Arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) on Svalbard.
This study presents 137Cs muscle activity concentrations in Arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) from Svalbard over a period of several years and discusses the transfer of 137Cs to Arctic foxes through likely predator--prey relationships. Mean 137Cs activity concentrations and 137Cs Tag values (per trapping season) ranged from 0.51+/-2.76 to 1.32+/-2.89 Bq/kg (w.w.) and 5.1 x 10(-4) to 1.3 x 10(-3)m(2)/kg, respectively. Mean concentration ratios of 137Cs in Arctic foxes compared to probable prey ranged from 1.0 to 7.9. On Svalbard, transfer of 137Cs to Arctic foxes is likely to occur via both marine and terrestrial food chains. The relative contribution of marine and terrestrial food sources to the diet of Arctic foxes may vary by location and by season and may lead to either an increase or decrease in the trophic transfer of 137Cs to Arctic foxes compared to transfer resulting from terrestrial only diets.
Gwynn
Justin P
JP
Environment Radioactivity Department, Polar Environmental Centre, Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway. justin.gwynn@nrpa.no
Fuglei
Eva
E
Dowdall
Mark
M
D000818:Animals; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D005589:Foxes / Q000502:physiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D011847:Radioactive Fallout; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D013538:Svalbard
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D011847:Radioactive Fallout; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive