title: Radioactivity measurements in moss (Hypnum cupressiforme) and lichen (Cladonia rangiformis) samples collected from Marmara region of Turkey.
abstract: The present study was conducted to compare the (137)Cs, (40)K, (232)Th, and (238)U activity concentrations in epigeic moss (Hypnum cupressiforme) and lichen (Cladonia rangiformis). The activity levels in 37 moss and 38 lichen samples collected from the Marmara region of Turkey were measured using a gamma spectrometer equipped with a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (40)K, (232)Th, and (238)U in the moss samples were found to be in the range of 0.36-8.13, 17.1-181.1, 1.51-6.17, and 0.87-6.70 Bq kg(-1) respectively, while these values were below detection limit (BDL)-4.32, 16.6-240.0, 1.32-6.47, and BDL-3.57 Bq kg(-1) respectively in lichen. The average moss/lichen activity ratios of (137)Cs, (40)K, (232)Th, and (238)U were found to be 1.32 +/- 0.57, 2.79 +/- 1.67, 2.11 +/- 0.82, and 2.19 +/- 1.02, respectively. Very low (137)Cs concentrations were observed in moss and lichen samples compared to soil samples collected from the same locations in a previous study. Seasonal variations of the measured radionuclide activities were also examined in the three sampling stations.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Department of Biology, Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey. belmurat@istanbul.edu.tr
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belivermiş
authors.forename: Yavuz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cotuk
mesh_terms: D019068:Bryopsida / Q000737:chemistry*; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D047852:Chernobyl Nuclear Accident; D008011:Lichens / Q000737:chemistry*; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011847:Radioactive Fallout / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D013910:Thorium / Q000032:analysis; D014421:Turkey; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D011847:Radioactive Fallout; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium; D013910:Thorium