Cesium accumulation by fish following acute input to lakes: a comparison of experimental and Chernobyl-impacted systems.
An uptake parameter u (Lkg(-1)d(-1)) and a loss rate parameter k (d(-1)) were estimated for the patterns of accumulation and loss of (133)Cs by three fish species following an experimental (133)Cs addition into a pond in South Carolina, USA. These u and k parameters were compared to similar estimates for fish from other experimental ponds and from lakes that received (137)Cs deposition from Chernobyl. Estimates of u from ponds and lakes declined with increasing potassium concentrations in the water column. Although loss rates were greater in the experimental ponds, the times required to reach maximum Cs concentrations in fish were similar between ponds and lakes, because ponds and lakes had similar retentions of Cs in the water column. The maximum Cs concentrations in fish were largely determined by initial Cs concentrations in the water column. These maximum concentrations in fish and the times required to reach these maxima are potentially useful indicators for assessments of risks to humans from fish consumption.
Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA. j.pinder@tcu.edu
J E
JE
Pinder
T G
TG
Hinton
F W
FW
Whicker
J T
JT
Smith
D000818:Animals; D002586:Cesium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000378:metabolism; D047852:Chernobyl Nuclear Accident; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000378:metabolism
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D002586:Cesium