A laboratory and field study of 210Po depuration by edible winkles (Littorina littorea L.) from the Cumbrian Coast (North-Eastern Irish Sea)

摘要: Abstract Edible winkles from Saltom Bay, Cumbria (north-eastern Irish Sea) had flesh 210 Po concentrations in excess of 200 Bq kg −1 (wet). This came liquid waste discharged under authorization a chemical plant producing phosphoric acid. labelling the natural conditions was exploited to determine depuration rate and biological half-time. Winkles transferred Lowestoft depurated flowing seawater half-times ranging 82 119 days depending on temperature. These values seem long few data available literature. Cadmium also cadmium measured depurating winkles. The hypothesis is put forward that were due binding sub-cellular proteins induced by presence cadmium. After shut, changes Bay winkle contents Po, Pb followed monthly samples. half-time environment for decrease after closed estimated at about 92 days.