Variations of Po-210 and Pb-210 concentration in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Didim and Izmir Bay (Turkish coast of Aegean Sea)

Abstract

In this study, the activity concentrations of Po-210 and Pb-210 were determined in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected from Didim and Izmir Bay (Turkish coast of Aegean Sea) during the period of April 2006-March 2007. The concentrations activity of Po-210 were determined spectroscopically through its 530 MeV alpha particle emission, using Po-209 as an internal tracer. The Pb-210 activity concentrations were determined from the ingrowth of Po-210 assuming zero initial Po-210 activity. The results of Po-210 and Pb-210 activity concentrations were found to vary between 34 +/- 9 and 1855 +/- 98 Bq kg(-1) dry weight and ND (lower than limit of detection) - 64 +/- 6 Bq kg(-1) dry weight, respectively. Po-210/Pb-210 ratio ranged between 1.00 and 106.87. The highest Po-210 activities were found in mussels collected from Didim. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.