(90)Sr, (210)Po and (210)Pb in lichen and reindeer in Norway

J Environ Radioact. 2005;84(3):441-56. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2005.04.016. Epub 2005 Jul 5.

Abstract

Concentrations of (90)Sr, (210)Po and (210)Pb in lichen and reindeer were studied in central (Østre Namdal) and southern Norway (Vågå) during 2000-2003. The study focussed on potential differences in concentrations of these nuclides in reindeer of different ages. Concentrations of (90)Sr in bones of approximately 10 year old adult females were about 40% higher than those in calves' antlers ((90)Sr concentrations in antlers and bones of calves are similar), while the available data from Vågå suggest that (90)Sr concentrations in reindeer calves decreased with an effective ecological half-time of 9.03+/-0.06 years during 1988-2002. Furthermore, (90)Sr concentrations were 50-80% higher in bone of reindeer of a similar age from Vågå compared to those from Østre Namdal. Concentrations of (210)Po and (210)Pb in muscle and liver tissues were comparable to those reported for reindeer in other Nordic areas, with no significant difference in (210)Po and (210)Pb concentrations between adults and calves or between reindeer from the two different study areas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Antlers / chemistry
  • Climate
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Female
  • Lead Radioisotopes / analysis*
  • Lichens / chemistry*
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Metacarpal Bones / chemistry
  • Neck Muscles / chemistry
  • Norway
  • Polonium / analysis*
  • Radioactive Pollutants / analysis
  • Reindeer* / growth & development
  • Strontium Radioisotopes / analysis*
  • Strontium Radioisotopes / metabolism

Substances

  • Lead Radioisotopes
  • Radioactive Pollutants
  • Strontium Radioisotopes
  • Polonium