Dispersal of the radionuclide caesium-137 (137Cs) from point sources in the Barents and Norwegian Seas and its potential contamination of the Arctic marine food chain: coupling numerical ocean models with geographical fish distribution data.
Dispersal of (137)Cs from Komsomolets and K-159 is simulated using realistic rates and hypothetical scenarios. Furthermore, spatiotemporal (137)Cs concentrations in Northeast Arctic cod and capelin are estimated based on survey data. The results indicate that only pulse discharges from K-159 will cause concentrations of (137)Cs in cod muscle exceeding the intervention level of 600 Bq/kg fresh weight. A discharge of ≥10% of the (137)Cs-inventory will result in concentrations in muscle of cod exceeding the intervention level for approximately two years. In fact, a discharge of 10% of the (137)Cs-inventory results in an overlap of 8-30% between the different size groups of cod and levels that exceed the intervention level during the first year after the discharge. For capelin, individuals less than one year old during the first year after a discharge are more likely to be severely affected by discharges comprising ≥50% of the inventory.
Institute of Marine Research, PO Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway. hilde.elise.heldal@imr.no
Hilde Elise
HE
Heldal
Frode
F
Vikebø
Geir Odd
GO
Johansen
D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000378:metabolism; D001110:Arctic Regions; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D020387:Food Chain; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive