Se. Palsson et al., TRANSFER OF RADIOCESIUM FROM SOIL AND PLANTS TO REINDEER IN ICELAND, Journal of environmental radioactivity, 24(2), 1994, pp. 107-125
The Icelandic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), which were brought from No
rway over 200 years ago, show very different levels of Cs-137 concentr
ation compared to other Nordic reindeer, even if pre-Chernobyl data ar
e used. Average values of 0.6-22 Bq/kg were observed during the huntin
g seasons in 1990-1992, whereas winter values of about 300 Bq/kg were
reported for Norway, Sweden, and Finland prior in the Chernobyl accide
nt. This low concentration is due to the low average Cs-137 concentrat
ion in the reindeer's diet, which contains no significant amounts of h
igh-activity lichens or mushrooms. The most important lichen in the re
indeer's diet is Cetraria islandica with a Cs-137 concentration that i
s much lower than is commonly found in lichens. 15 Bq/kg dry wt. This
study indicates that the concentration in reindeer meat shows no signi
ficant seasonal variation. Some similarities can be found in a survey
carried out in many areas of Russia during the winter of 1964-1965, wh
ere the lowest concentration in reindeer meat was found in the norther
n part of the Yakut region of Siberia. No seasonal variation was seen
there and the most important lichen in the reindeer's diet was Cetrari
a islandica.