Transfer of natural radionuclides in terrestrial food chains – A review of investigations in Finland

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Abstract

Transfer of natural radionuclides 210Pb, 210Po, 238U, and 228,230,232Th in subarctic food chains has been studied in Finland since the 1960’s. The unique food chain lichen-reindeer-man related to Sami people in Finnish Lapland and other food chain options starting from berries or mush-room ending to man have been explored and the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in biological samples determined. The results from Finnish radioecological studies are being summarized and differences in bioaccumulation between different radionuclides are discussed. It was found out that although a substantial amount of activity concentration data exist from the research projects executed in Finland during the last six decades, more data especially from U and Th in biological environment and humans would be useful, e.g., for modeling purposes and for improved assessment of bioaccumulation and adverse effects (both radiological and chemi-cal) of radionuclides.
Original languageEnglish
Article number10577
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume18
Number of pages17
ISSN1660-4601
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2021
MoE publication typeA2 Review article in a scientific journal

Fields of Science

  • 116 Chemical sciences
  • natural radionuclides
  • Food chain
  • radioecology
  • arctic environment
  • Finnish Lapland

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