Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL: SPECIAL TOPICS, cilt.232, sa.5, ss.1-11, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
Artificially produced radionuclides by nuclear reactions are the second type available in the marine environment, in addition to the radionuclides originating from natural sources. Natural radionuclides have been introduced into the environment by several paths of which were unpredictable compared to the anthropogenic activities performed in a controlled manner such as nuclear weapon testing and nuclear fuel reprocessing activities. One major path for radionuclide accumulation to the marine environment from unpredictable sources known to be the river runoffs which transfers the radionuclides deposited over land. In the present study natural—artificial radionuclide activity (226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs) and trace metal concentrations (Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, K, Ca, Mg and Na) in the coastal areas of north-eastern Mediterranean Sea, and the radiological risk to marine biota (fish and invertebrate species) were investigated. Individuals of seven species belonging to two biota groups were analyzed to evaluate the radionuclide activity levels. Highest activity levels of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were detected for Mullus barbatus (8.6 ± 0.8 Bq kg−1), Charybdis longicollis (5.3 ± 0.4 Bq kg−1) and Pagellus acarne (95.7 ± 6 Bq kg−1) respectively. Highest total dose rate for all evaluated radionuclides was 12.6 nGy h−1. 226Ra and 40K were the two radionuclides with highest contribution to the total dose rate. Our results indicated that there is no radiological risk in the study area. Charybdis longicollis samples were detected to be rich in Mn, Zn and Ca.