Ecological Half-Life of 137Cs in Fish

In this study, the long-term (i.e., over a 27-year period) dynamics of 137Cs content are presented for seven species fish in both cooling pond (CP) Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and Kaniv Reservoir (KR). The decline specific activity exhibits various patterns. For certain years KR, belonging to different ecological groups experienced an increase rather than decrease levels 137Cs. From 2012 2014, concentration all studied KR ranged from 4 23 Bq/kg. CP during 2012–2013, still showed high contamination levels, ranging 770 8300 half-life (Teco) was determined species. most P. fluviatilis, B. bjoerkna, A. brama, S. lucioperca, aspius), shortest Teco values were obtained CP, being highly radiocaesium-contaminated waterbody. contrast, two (R. rutilus glanis) exhibited considerably slower rate removal their bodies compared even relatively cleaner KR. Moreover, R. glanis nearly twice as long that observed other within CP. We assume redistribution body is affected by multidirectional mechanisms: accumulation, retention, and/or excretion. functioning these mechanisms can vary among level particular at given time point results combined effects mechanisms. Fish likely have ability absorb accumulate radiocaesium selectively, demand appears be species-specific.