210Polonium content of small cetaceans from Southeastern Brazil.
The (210)Po concentration of muscle and liver samples obtained from dolphins stranded on beaches in the Southeastern region of Rio de Janeiro State was analyzed in the present study. The samples were primarily obtained from "Franciscana" (Pontoporia blainvillei) and "Guiana" dolphins (Sotalia guianensis); however, samples from four other species were also evaluated. The (210)Po concentration of muscle samples obtained from "Franciscana" dolphins (66.7±6.7, n=8)Bq kg(-1)w.w. was greater than that of "Guiana" dolphins (25.3±5.7, n=8)Bq kg(-1)w.w. due to differences in the diets of these species. Alternatively, the (210)Po concentrations of liver samples obtained from different species were statically equivalent. Compared to the results described in the literature, the muscle samples evaluated in the present study displayed lower (210)Po concentrations, except for those obtained from "Franciscana" dolphins, which exhibited similar values. For "Franciscana" and "Guiana" dolphins, a clear relationship between the (210)Po concentration of muscle and liver samples and the size of the dolphin was not observed.
Instituto de Radioproteção e Dosimetria, Caixa Postal 37750, Barra da Tijuca, 22642-970 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. jmgodoy@ird.gov.br
José Marcus
JM
Godoy
Salvatore
S
Siciliano
Zenildo Lara
ZL
de Carvalho
Jaílson Fulgencio
JF
de Moura
Maria Luiza D P
ML
Godoy
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D004289:Dolphins; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry; D011059:Polonium / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D011059:Polonium