Comparative study of radioactivity levels and radionuclide fingerprints in typical marine ecosystems of coral reefs, mangroves, and hydrothermal vents. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Wuhui; Feng, Yu; Yu, Kefu; Han, Yi; Wang, Shiyue; Mo, Zhenni; Ning, Qiuyun; Liu, Xinming; Huang, Dingyong; Wang, Jianjia
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 152(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Coral reefs -- Mangroves -- Hydrothermal vents -- Radiation dose -- ERICA -- Non-human species; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110913
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: As a key environmental parameter to induce radiation dose and effect on non-human species, radioactivity level is rarely evaluated in typical ecosystems of coral reefs, mangroves, and hydrothermal vents. In this study, naturally occurring radionuclides ( 238 U, 226 Ra, 228 Ra, and 40 K) in carbonate, silicate, and sulfide sediments collected from coral reefs, mangroves, and hydrothermal vents were simultaneously measured using high purity germanium (HPGe) γ spectrometry. Radioactivity levels and radionuclide fingerprints ( 226 Ra/ 238 U and 228 Ra/ 226 Ra) were interpreted and explored for tracking sources and formation processes of marine sediments in distinct marine ecosystems. Additionally, ionizing radiation dose rate on representative marine biotas (mollusc-bivalve, crustacean, polychaete worm, benthic fish, and pelagic fish) was evaluated using the ERICA tool with an increasing rank in coral reefs < mangroves < hydrothermal vents. Polychaete worm received the highest radiation dose relative to other marine biotas. We also emphasized the dominant contribution of 210 Po to total radiation dose rate on marine biotas. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Radioactivity levels were studied in coral reefs, mangroves, and hydrothermal vents. Radionuclide fingerprints were closely related to chemical components in sediments. Radiation dose rate on marine biotas was evaluated using the ERICA tool. The dominant role of 210 Po in radiation dose rate on marine biotas was emphasized.