D. Mccubbin et al., Incorporation of organic tritium (H-3) by marine organisms and sediment inthe Severn estuary/Bristol Channel (UK), MAR POLL B, 42(10), 2001, pp. 852-863
Discharges of tritium (H-3) into the Severn estuary/Bristol Channel (UK) ar
ise from the authorized release of wastes from nuclear power plants at Hink
ley Point and Berkley/Oldbury and from the Nycomed-Amersham radiochemical p
lant, via the sewer system, at Cardiff. The wastes from the nuclear power p
lants probably consist almost entirely of (H2O)-H-3, whereas those from the
radiochemical plant also include uncharacterized 3H labelled organic compo
unds. The total 3H concentrations in demersal fish and other benthic organi
sms in the vicinity of the Cardiff Eastern sewer outfall are significantly
elevated compared to those observed around other UK nuclear establishments.
Concentrations in filtered seawater were approximately 10 Bq kg(-1) whilst
levels in surface sediment, seaweed (Fucus vesiculosis) and mussels (Mytil
us edulis)/flounder (Platichthys flesus) were in the order of 6 x 10(2), 2
x 10(3), and 10(5) Bq kg(-1) (dry weight), respectively. Almost all the H-3
found in sediment and biota were organically bound tritium (OBT). The high
concentration in these materials, relative to that in seawater, is due to
the presence of bioavailable organic H-3 labelled compounds in the radioche
mical waste. It is suggested that bioaccumulation of H-3 by benthic organis
ms and demersal fish occurs primarily via a pathway of physico-chemical sor
ption/bacterial transformation of dissolved H-3 labelled organic compounds
into particulate organic matter, and subsequent transfer up a web of sedime
nt dwelling microbes and meiofauna. Variations in H-3 accumulation between
individual organisms have been interpreted in terms of their different feed
ing behaviour. Relatively low concentrations were observed in the herbivoro
us winkle (Littorina littorea) and the pelagic Sprat (Spratus spratus) comp
ared with other benthic organisms and demersal fish. The elevated H-3 conce
ntrations in seafood, due to bioaccumulation of OBT, have low radiological
significance even for the local critical group of seafood consumers. Crown
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