Incorporation and Accumulation of Strontium-90 in the Hard Tissue of Animals and Their Relationship with Strontium-90 Pollution in the Environment

Abstract

Substantial amounts of radionuclides including strontium-90 (90Sr) were released by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) accident. In the present study, we describe and discuss the presence of 90Sr in the ex-evacuation zone of the FNPP accident and its relationship with 90Sr activity concentration in the hard tissue of animals. We found that the activity concentration of 90Sr in the hard tissue exhibited a positive correlation with 90Sr pollution in their corresponding terrestrial and marine environments. Hard tissues, such as the teeth, bones, and otoliths, of animals and fishes could serve as useful tools in assessing 90Sr pollution in the environment during the period of the formation of those tissues.