Whole-body retention of 60Co incorporated into a seaweed in rats.

稲葉 次郎,西 村義一,市 川竜資:放 射線医学総合研究所 環境衛生研究部 千葉市 穴川4-9-1,〒260 Co-60 metabolism/Seaweed cobalt/Rat The objective of this study is to compare whole-body retention in the rat of radiocobalt incorporated into a marine green alga with that of 60Co in inorganic form. Ulva pertusa was incubated in aerated seawater containing 60Co under fluorescent lamp for 7 days. The radio active seaweed was homogenated and was given to rats via a stomach tube. The control group of rats was given 60CoCl2 with homogenate of non-radioactive seaweed. Whole-body retention of the radionuclide was determined by in vivo counting of the living animal. The result revealed that rats absorbed and retained much more 60Co incorporated into the seaweed than 60CoCl2. This fact should be taken into account in the estimation of internal dose due to radiocobalt released into marine environment.