Determining baseline radiation levels in marine biota – A comparison of SE Queensland commercial species. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Medley, Peter; Patterson, Sian
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental radioactivity. Volume 255(2023)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Crustacea -- Concentration ratio -- ERICA assessment Tool -- Microwave-assisted digestion -- Polonium-210 -- Radiation ingestion dose; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radiation, Background -- Periodicals; Radioecology -- Periodicals; Radioactive pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactive Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radioécologie -- Périodiques; Pollution radioactive -- Périodiques; Fond de rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.107032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-931X

Abstract

Abstract: Limited data exists on the contribution to radiological dose to members of the public from ingestion of radioactivity in seafood in the Australian diet. There is also a lack of data available to assess the radiological dose to marine fauna in Australian waters. Natural and anthropogenic radionuclides and trace metals were measured in the edible flesh of prawns to determine the radiological dose to humans. The remaining tissues were combined and analysed to enable uptake and environmental radiological doses to be assessed. Although in international studies, the edible flesh is generally measured to determine radiation dose or ingestion of trace metals, the effects of preparation and cooking techniques are rarely assessed. In this study, cooking and preparation techniques that may influence the radiological dose to humans were assessed. Eggs were also removed from a selected number of samples to assess the potential dose in sensitive developmental tissues and possible implications for environmental effects. Order of magnitude differences in 210 Po activity concentrations and Cd concentrations were observed between whole animals and the edible flesh of Australian caught King ( Melicertus spp.) and Tiger ( Penaeus spp.) prawns, with the hepatopancreas primarily responsible for this difference. Most 210 Po was unsupported by 210 Pb and activity concentrations of all other radionuclides measured ( 137 Cs, 210 Pb, 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 238 U) were very low. The major contribution to radiation dose via the ingestion pathway and to the organism itself was from 210 Po. Cooking techniques that may lead to leaching of 210 Po from the hepatopancreas could substantially increase the radiological dose from ingestion of this isotope. Organism dose estimates using different input assumptions in the radiological assessment tool "ERICA", including site-specific tissue activity concentrations with site- or region-specific media concentrations, were compared with ERICA default distribution coefficients ( K d ) and concentration ratios. Highlights: Radiation ingestion doses to members of the Australian public may be underestimated. Cooking and preparation techniques can substantially affect radiation ingestion doses. 210 Po activity concentrations are highest in prawn hepatopancreas. Natural radioactivity and metal concentrations in 2 species of Australian prawn/shrimp. The ERICA assessment tool default K d values may underestimate doses to organisms.