Radiocaesium concentration factors of Chernobyl contaminated fish: a study of the influence of potassium and blind testing of a previously developed model

Jim Smith, A. Kudelsky, I. Ryabov, R. Hadderingh

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    Abstract

    The radiocaesium concentration factors (CF) of different fish species in 10 lakes in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine were measured between 6 and 11 yr after the Chernobyl accident. Clear inverse relations were observed between fish CF and lakewater K+ concentration. Perch (a predatory species) had CFs which were two times higher than non-predatory fish. No differences in CFs were observed between different species of non-predatory fish. An empirical model for the prediction of radiocaesium CFs in fish (Rowan & Rasmussen, 1994) was blind-tested against our measurements. The model predictions, based on measurements of K+ and suspended solids concentrations in the lakewater, were in good agreement with measured values. Our observations, however, implied a stronger effect of K+ on CF than that used in the Rowan and Rasmussen (1994) model. Further improvements in models could also be made by accounting for the effect of fish size on CF.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)359-369
    Number of pages11
    JournalJournal of Environmental Radioactivity
    Volume48
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - May 2000

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