title: Radionuclides in some edible and medicinal macrofungal species from Tara Mountain, Serbia.
abstract: Edible and medicinal macrofungi used in human diet represent not only important sources of nutritive elements but toxic substances as well (heavy metals and radionuclides). Radioactivity levels of four radionuclides ((40)K, (137)Cs, (226)Ra, (228)Ra) were determined in the basidiomata (fruiting bodies of a Basidiomycetes) of six lignicolous (Fomitopsis pinicola, Ganoderma applanatum, Hericium clathroides, Megacollybia platyphylla, Pluteus cervinus, Trametes gibbosa) and three mycorrhizal (Boletus luridus, Boletus sp. 1, Boletus sp. 2) species as well as their soil (wood) substrates by gamma spectrometry (high-resolution high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector). The aim was to investigate their ability for radionuclide absorption according to transfer factors (from soil and wood), to predict potential bioindicator species as well as species with potential risk for human use. Samples were taken during years 2011 and 2012, at two sites in forest ecosystem of Tara Mountain (Serbia). Observed concentration ranges per dry weight were as follows: 29-3,020 Bq/kg ((40)K), 21.9-735 Bq/kg ((137)Cs), 3-39 Bq/kg ((226)Ra), and 2.0-18 Bq/kg ((228)Ra). Obtained results indicate that the type of basidiome (fleshy/tough), most likely due to a different metabolic rate, has a very important role in radionuclide accumulation. The highest activity concentrations of all analyzed radionuclides were found in species with fleshy basidiomata--P. cervinus, H. clathroides, M. platyphylla, and Boletus species. A species-specific influence on radionuclide uptake was more prominent comparing to habitat differences and the role of fungal trophic mode. No significant variations were observed regarding radionuclide activity among the same fungal species from different sampling sites.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 2, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia, milana.rakic@dbe.uns.ac.rs.
authors.forename: Milana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rakić
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karaman
authors.forename: Sofija
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forkapić
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hansman
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kebert
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bikit
authors.forename: Dušan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mrdja
mesh_terms: D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000737:chemistry*; D065928:Forests; D006801:Humans; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D055771:Serbia; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive