The anthropogenic radiotoxic element of 137Cs accumulate to biota in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

The abundance of 137Cs radionuclide in the Mediterranean Sea has limited study despite its environmental effects in seafood chains. For this purpose, the activity concentration of 137Cs in sediment and seawater have been determined using a high-resolution HPGe gamma-spectrometry system. The average activity concentrations in sediment and water were 14.16 Bq kg−1 and 1.74 mBq L−1, respectively. The results were used as input data of ERICA Tool modelling software to assess marine organisms' accumulation and dose. The highest and lowest accumulate activity concentration values were observed in birds (9.24E-01 Bq kg−1) and the Vascular plant (1.37E-02 Bq kg1), respectively. The total dose rate value was ranged between 1.94E-06 μGy h−1 (Phytoplankton) to 4.70E-03 μGy h−1 (Polychaete worm). The total dose rates of 137Cs to the selected organisms were all <0.001 μGy h−1, and there is no significant risk to marine biota in the study area.