PLUTONIUM IN FISH, ALGAE, AND SEDIMENTS IN THE BARENTS, PETSHORA AND KARA SEAS

This work contributed to a joint research programme between the Finnis h Centre for Radiation and Nuclear Safety and the Murmansk Marine Biol ogical Institute in the Arctic. Radioanalyses for plutonium isotopes w ere performed on more than 50 sediment samples, 12 algae samples and 1 9 fish samples. Plutonium concentrations in algae and fish samples, in cluding fish meat, bone and liver, were low or in many cases below det ection limits. Some differences in plutonium concentrations of sedimen ts were found between different sampling areas. However, the concentra tions were low. The Pu isotopic ratios were similar to those found in environmental samples generally when Pu is derived from global fallout or discharges from reprocessing plants. No local enhancement of pluto nium contamination was found in the marine areas studied. However, the sampling locations represent only areas of free access; prohibited mi litary areas of North-west Russia with potential pollution sources wer e not included. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.