Polonium on the 125th anniversary of its discovery: its chemistry, radiotoxicity and application

The article recounts the discovery of the development of polonium chemistry. The development of its chemistry and the discovery of its properties and uses, both useful and criminal. In addition, it provides biographical details of its discoverers and the scientists who systematically uncovered its secrets.

210Po in popular medicinal herbs from Poland

Herbs are an important part of traditional medicine in Poland. Therefore, the aim of this study was the determination of polonium ²¹⁰Po in 48 selected medicinal herb samples from the Polish market. The activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Po were measured using alpha spectrometry. The activity concentration of ²¹⁰Po was in the range from 0.3 ± 0.1 to 28.2 ± 0.4 Bq kg^-1. The obtained results were compared with corresponding studies conducted worldwide. A higher ²¹⁰Po activity concentration was observed in the above-ground part of plants. The obtained results show that the highest ²¹⁰Po activity concentration was observed in evergreen plants and winter-hardy plants. Yet even infusions with 2 g of the most contaminated herbs examined were considered to be radiologically safe.

Polonium-210 in honey samples from southern Poland

Polonium (210Po) concentrations in different honey samples from Lower Silesian Voivodeship and Lesser Poland Voivodeship (southern Poland) were determined. Significantly higher 210Po concentrations were observed near mining heaps and former excavations versus background areas. Differences in 210Po concentrations were also observed for honeydew versus nectar honey and between the two voivodeships.

210Po and 210Pb in forest mushrooms of genus Leccinum and topsoil from northern Poland and its contribution to the radiation dose

Wild growing mushrooms are traditional food items for man and also an important source of nutrients for small and big wildlife. Nevertheless, they can be species - specifically vulnerable for contamination with heavy metals and radionuclides. We studied a less known phenomenon of accumulation of highly toxic, the alpha-radiation emitter such as ²¹⁰Po and the beta emitter ²¹⁰Pb by three Leccinum mushrooms: orange oak bolete L. aurantiacum (Bull.) Gray (previous name Leccinum aurantiacum var. quercinum Pilát), foxy bolete L. vulpinum Watling and slate bolete L. duriusculum (Schulzer ex Kalchbr.) Singer. Fungal and soil materials were collected from areas of a different geochemical composition in the northern regions of Poland. In parallel evaluated was the risk to human consumer due to possible intake of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb with a mushroom meal. Results showed a heterogeneous distribution of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb activity concentrations within caps and stipes of fruiting bodies. Overall activity concentration for whole dried fungi material ranged from 0.59 ± 0.38 to 3.2 ± 0.2 Bq ²¹⁰Po kg^-1 and from 0.45 ± 0.04 to 3.1 ± 0.2 Bq ²¹⁰Pb kg^-1. Evaluation showed that Leccinum mushrooms consumed by locals in typical quantity of 0.5 kg (dry biomass) can contribute into annual effective radiation dose at 0.90-3.81 μSv from ²¹⁰Po decay and 0.31-2.14 μSv from ²¹⁰Pb decay, which is a small portion of the annual effective radiation dose of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb for human inhabiting the northern regions of Poland.

Determination of 210Po and 210Pb in red-capped scaber (Leccinum aurantiacum): bioconcentration and possible related dose assessment

The paper presents the studies on ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb activity determination in red-capped scaber (Leccinum aurantiacum (Bulliard) Gray) collected in northern Poland. The aims of the studies were to determine ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb content in analyzed mushrooms, evaluate the bioconcentration levels, and estimate possible related annual effective radiation dose to mushrooms consumers. The activities of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in red-capped scaber were un-uniform and depended on sampling sites. But ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb activity concentrations did not reflect their concentrations in topsoil. The results showed that the consumption of analyzed mushrooms should not increase significantly the total effective radiation dose from ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb decay.

Lichens and mosses as polonium and uranium biomonitors on Sobieszewo Island

In the study the activities of polonium 210Po and uranium 234U, 238U radionuclides in moss and lichen samples were determined using the alpha spectrometry. Different lichens and mosses were collected around the Sobieszewo Island (northern Poland) and investigated for potential use as biomonitors for 210Po and 238U deposition. Mosses and lichens have a high efficiency in capturing 210Po and 238U from atmospheric fallout. The obtained results showed that 210Po, 238U concentrations are changing in analyzed thallophytes samples depending on the type of thallus.

A study on possible use of Urtica dioica (common nettle) plants as uranium (234U, 238U) contamination bioindicator near phosphogypsum stockpile

The aim of this study was to determine uranium concentrations in common nettle (Urtica dioica) plants and corresponding soils samples which were collected from the area of phosphogypsum stockpile in Wiślinka (northern Poland). The uranium concentrations in roots depended on its concentrations in soils. Calculated BCF and TF values showed that soils characteristics and air deposition affect uranium absorption and that different uranium species have different affinities to U. dioica plants. The values of ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratio indicate natural origin of these radioisotopes in analyzed plants. Uranium concentration in plants roots is negatively weakly correlated with distance from phosphogypsum stockpile.

A study on possible use of Urtica dioica (common nettle) plant as polonium (210)Po and lead (210)Pb contamination biomonitor in the area of phosphogypsum stockpile

The aim of this study was to test a possible use of Urtica dioica (common nettle) plant as a biomonitor of polonium (210)Po and lead (210)Pb contamination near phosphogypsum stacks by determining concentrations of these radionuclides in samples collected from the area of phosphogypsum stockpile in Wiślinka (northern Poland). The (210)Po and (210)Pb contents in roots depended on their concentrations in soils. Bioconcentration factor values from soil to root of the plant did not depend on (210)Po and (210)Pb contents in soils that leads to the conclusion that different polonium and lead species have different affinities to U. dioica plants. The main sources of both analyzed radionuclides in green parts of plants are wet and dry air deposition and transportation from soil. The values of (210)Po/(210)Pb activity ratio indicate natural origin of these radioisotopes in analyzed plants. (210)Po and (210)Pb concentration in U. dioica roots is negatively weakly correlated with distance from phosphogypsum stockpile.

Plutonium 241Pu in tissues and organs of Cervidae from Northern Poland

Livers, kidneys and muscles of large herbivorous animals: roe deer, red deer and fallow deer, collected in Northern Poland, were the subject of the investigation. The concentration of 241Pu ranged widely between 1.31 ± 0.28 and 214.5 ± 25.8 mBq kg –1 ww and decreased in the order kidney > liver > muscle. The average values of the activity concentrations of 241Pu were 11.5 ± 1.8 mBq kg –1 ww in muscles, 14.0 ± 2.25 mBq kg –1 ww in liver and 85.5 ± 9.7 mBq kg –1 ww in kidneys. As statistically checked the sampling location, sex, age and species of animals did not influence on plutonium concentrations of the analyzed samples. Only the organ type significantly influenced 241Pu content. The values of 241Pu/29+240Pu activity ratio in analyzed samples ranged from 7.12 ± 2.15 to 99.3 ± 16.4 and the results showed the main source of plutonium in analyzed organs could be the Chernobyl accident.

Uranium ((234)U, (235)U and (238)U) contamination of the environment surrounding phosphogypsum waste heap in Wiślinka (northern Poland)

The aim of this work was to determine the uranium concentration ((234)U, (235)U and (238)U) and values of the activity ratio (234)U/(238)U in soil samples collected near phosphogypsum waste heap in Wiślinka (northern Poland). On the basis of the studies it was found that the values of the (234)U/(238)U activity ratio in the analyzed soils collected in the vicinity of phosphogypsum dump in Wiślinka are in most cases close to one and indicate the phosphogypsum origin of the analyzed nuclides. The obtained results of uranium concentrations are however much lower than in previous years before closing of the phosphogypsum stockpile. After this process and covering the phosphogypsum stockpile in Wiślinka with sewage sludge, phosphogypsum particles are successfully immobilized. In the light of the results the use of phosphate fertilizers seems to be a major problem. Prolonged and heavy rains can cause leaching accumulated uranium isotopes in the phosphogypsum stockpile, which will be washed into the Martwa Wisła and on the fields in the immediate vicinity of this storage.

The radiological impact of phosphogypsum stockpile in Wiślinka (northern Poland) on the Martwa Wisła river water

The aim of this work was to determine the concentrations of uranium (234U, 235U, 238U), polonium (210Po) and lead (210Pb) radioisotopes in water samples and to explore the impact of the phosphogypsum stack on the Martwa Wisła waters. The 238U, 210Po and 210Pb concentrations in analyzed water samples reached maximum values of 11.7 ± 0.3, 2.0 ± 0.1 and 3.2 ± 0.1 mBq L-1 and activity ratios were maximally 1.18 ± 0.01 for 234U/238U, 0.041 ± 0.018 for 235U/238U and 0.69 ± 0.10 for 210Po/210Pb. The obtained results suggest that this impact is rather insignificant and does not affect significantly the Martwa Wisła river.

Characterization of (241)Pu occurrence, distribution, and bioaccumulation in seabirds from northern Eurasia

The paper presents unique data of plutonium (241)Pu study in seabirds from northern Eurasia, permanently or temporally living at the southern Baltic Sea coast. Together, ten marine birds species were examined, as follows: three species that permanently reside at the southern Baltic, four species of wintering birds, and three species of migrating birds; 366 samples were analyzed. The obtained results indicated plutonium was non-uniformly distributed in organs and tissues of analyzed seabirds. The highest (241)Pu content was found in the digestion organs and feathers, the lowest in muscles. Also, the internal radiation doses from (241)Pu were evaluated.

Radiolead (210)Pb and (210)Po/(210)Pb activity ratios in dogs' hair

The aim of this study was to determine activity concentrations of radiolead (210)Pb as well as (210)Po/(210)Pb activity ratios in dog hair. The objectives of this research were also to investigate the utility of domestic animal hair as a noninvasive indicator of metal exposure for radiotoxic, naturally occurring (210)Pb and find the correlations between (210)Pb concentration in hair and age, gender, hair type or diet of analyzed animals. The highest (210)Pb concentrations were measured in a 2-year-old Shih Tzus (9.82 ± 0.53 Bq kg(-1) dw(-1)) and a 2-year-old Bichon Maltese (8.09 ± 0.42 Bq kg(-1) dw(-1)), both longhair males, while the lowest was found in a 15-year-old Yorkshire Terrier (0.44 ± 0.02 Bq kg(-1) dw(-1)), small longhair male as well. As results showed, mainly dog hair color as well as their age and gender influenced the differences in the values of (210)Pb concentrations in analyzed hair samples. Also the values of activity ratios of (210)Po/(210)Pb in analyzed dog hair samples were calculated and obtained results were similar to those observed in human hair.

Activity disequilibrium between 234U and 238U isotopes in natural environment

The aim of this work was to calculate the values of the 234U/238U activity ratio in natural environment (water, sediments, Baltic organisms and marine birds from various regions of the southern Baltic Sea; river waters (the Vistula and the Oder River); plants and soils collected near phosphogypsum waste heap in Wiślinka (Northern Poland) and deer-like animals from Northern Poland. On the basis of the studies it was found that the most important processes of uranium geochemical migration in the southern Baltic Sea ecosystem are the sedimentation of suspended material and the vertical diffusion from the sediments into the bottom water. Considerable values of the 234U/238U are characterized for the Vistula and Oder Rivers and its tributaries. The values of the 234U/238U activity ratio in different tissues and organs of the Baltic organisms, sea birds and wild deer are varied. Such a large variation value of obtained activity ratios indicates different behavior of uranium isotopes in the tissues and organisms of sea birds and wild animals. This value shows that uranium isotopes can be disposed at a slower or faster rate. The values of the 234U/238U activity ratio in the analyzed plants, soils and mosses collected in the vicinity of phosphogypsum dumps in Wiślinka are close to one and indicate the phosphogypsum origin of the analyzed nuclides. Uranium isotopes 234U and 238U are not present in radioactive equilibrium in the aquatic environment, which indicates that their activities are not equal. The inverse relationship is observed in the terrestrial environment, where the value of the of the 234U/238U activity ratio really oscillates around unity.

A study on lead (210Pb) and polonium (210Po) contamination from phosphogypsum in the environment of Wiślinka (northern Poland)

The results of polonium ((210)Po) and lead ((210)Pb) determination in different environmental soil samples collected in the vicinity of the phosphogypsum stack in Wiślinka (northern Poland) are presented and discussed in this paper. The (210)Po and (210)Pb concentrations in soil samples from the phosphogypsum stack recorded in this study are significantly higher only in areas that are close to the heap. The relationship between atmospheric deposition and elevated analyzed radionuclides concentrations in top soil layers, especially in the vicinity of the phosphogypsum stack, was showed in this study. (210)Po and (210)Pb radionuclides were detected in concentrations which could have harmful effects on human health or the environment. The considerably high concentrations of (210)Po and (210)Pb in soil samples collected from the vicinity of the phosphogypsum stack obtained in this study can lead to the conclusion that the presently undertaken recultivation process is successful and the 300 m(2) protection zone around the phosphogypsum stack seems to be able to offset the negative influence of the phosphogypsum stack on the surrounding environment.

241Pu concentrations in water, plankton and fish from the southern Baltic Sea

The aim of the work was to determine 241Pu activities in different components (water, plankton and fish) of the southern Baltic Sea ecosystem. Measurement of 241Pu in the samples was done indirectly by determining the increment in 241Am from the decay of the β-emitting 241Pu in samples collected 10–15 years after the Chernobyl accident.

Enhanced levels of 241Pu were observed in all analyzed Baltic samples. The highest 241Pu concentrations in fish were found in Perciformes: benthic round goby (0.863 ± 0.066 mBq/g ww) and pelagic perch (0.666 ± 0.001 mBq/g ww). Plutonium is also non-uniformly distributed in the organs and tissues of the analyzed fish; especially pelagic herring and cod as well as benthic flounder. Most of 241Pu in flounder, herring and cod is located in soft tissues, especially digestive organs (stomach, intestine, liver). The annual individual effective doses calculated on the basis of 241Pu concentrations in fish indicated that the impact of the consumption of 241Pu containing Baltic fish on the annual effective dose for a statistical inhabitant of Poland was very small.

Polonium 210Po activities in human blood of patients with ischaemic heart disease from Gdańsk in Poland

The determination of polonium ²¹⁰Po in human blood samples is presented and discussed in this paper. The human blood samples were collected from patients of Medical University of Gdańsk with ischaemic heart disease (morbus ischaemicus cordis, MIC). The polonium concentrations in analyzed human blood samples are very differentiated. ²¹⁰Po is of particular interest in public health and although is present in the environment in extremely low amounts, it is easily bioaccumulated to the human body. The study shows that the amount of ²¹⁰Po that is incorporated into the human body depends on the food habits and some difference in its levels could be observed between smokers and non-smokers.

241Pu in the biggest Polish rivers

In the paper the results of ²⁴¹Pu activity concentration determination in the biggest Polish rivers are presented. The analysis of more than 100 river water samples showed the Vistula and the Odra as well as three Pomeranian Rivers are important sources of ²⁴¹Pu in the southern Baltic Sea. There were differences in ²⁴¹Pu activities depending on season and sampling site and the plutonium contamination came mainly from the global atmospheric fallout as well as the Chernobyl accident, which is confirmed by plutonium activity ratios of ²⁴¹Pu/^239+240Pu and ²³⁸Pu/^239+240Pu.

The inflow of 238Pu and (239+240)Pu from the Odra and Pomeranian rivers catchments area to the Baltic Sea

The aim of the work was to estimate plutonium inflow from the Odra River catchments area to the Baltic Sea. The highest activities of (238)Pu and (239+240)Pu were observed in a winter and a spring season. The highest annual surface inflow of (239+240)Pu from the Odra River watershed was observed for a mountain tributary the Bóbr (1230 Bq km(-2) year(-1)). The annual inflow of (238)Pu and (239+240)Pu to the Baltic Sea was estimated at 9.51 MBq and 45.86 MBq respectively and the highest plutonium surface runoff was observed for the Bóbr drainage.

Polonium (²¹⁰Po), uranium (²³⁴U, ²³⁸U) isotopes and trace metals in mosses from Sobieszewo Island, northern Poland

The activity of polonium (210)Po and uranium (234)U, (238)U radionuclides, as well as trace metals in mosses, collected from Sobieszewo Island area (northern Poland), were determined using the alpha spectrometry, AAS (atomic absorption spectrometry) and OES-ICP (atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma). The concentrations of mercury (directly from the solid sample) were determined by the cold vapor technique of CV AAS. The obtained results revealed that the concentrations of (210)Po, (234)U, and (238)U in the two analyzed kinds of mosses: schrebers big red stem moss (Pleurozium schreberi) and broom moss (Dicranum scoparium) were similar. The higher polonium concentrations were found in broom moss (Dicranum scoparium), but uranium concentrations were relatively low for both species of analyzed mosses. Among the analyzed trace metals the highest concentration in mosses was recorded for iron, while the lowest for nickel, cadmium and mercury. The obtained studies showed that the sources of polonium and uranium isotopes, as well as trace metals in analyzed mosses are air city contaminations transported from Gdańsk and from existing in the vicinity the phosphogypsum waste heap in Wiślinka (near Gdańsk).

Polonium, uranium and plutonium radionuclides in aquatic and land ecosystem of Poland

This article presents the results of study about distribution, inflow and accumulation of polonium, uranium and plutonium in aquatic and land environment of Poland and the southern Baltic Sea. Radionuclides of (210)Po, (234)U and (238)U as well as (239+240)Pu and (241)Pu are strongly accumulated in Baltic organisms and plants and transferred through the trophic chain. The values of bioconcentration factor (BCF) in Baltic plants and animals are higher for polonium and plutonium in comparison with uranium. The principal source of radionuclides in the southern Baltic Sea is their inflow with rivers. Total annual runoff of polonium, uranium and plutonium from the Vistula and the Odra as well as the Pomeranian rivers were calculated at 95 GBq of (210)Po, 750 GBq of (234+238)U and 160 MBq of (238+239+240)Pu. Seasonal and spatial variability of (210)Po, (238)U and (239+240)Pu levels in the Vistula and the Odra drainage basins were assessed by application of neural-network based classification, especially cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA) and self-organizing maps (SOM). The result for the Vistula river indicated correlation between polonium and plutonium as well as polonium and uranium. In the Odra drainage basin, the biggest differences were observed in the case of (238)U. To assess if there are statistically significant differences in mean concentration values of (210)Po, (238)U and (239+240)Pu for the Vistula and the Odra rivers drainage basins were obtained by used of the non-parametric tests. Comparing to the Vistula catchment area, statistically differences concentration of (210)Po and (239+240)Pu in all year was observed for river samples collected on the Odra drainage basin.

The radiochemical contamination (²¹⁰Po and ²³⁸U) of zone around phosphogypsum waste heap in Wiślinka (northern Poland)

The aim of this work was the determination of the impact of phosphogypsum waste heap in Wiślinka (northern Poland) for radiological protection of zone around waste heap. These studies are very important for the estimation of natural alpha radionuclides contents in the vicinity of phosphogypsum waste heap and for environmental pollution assessment of this area. The process of bioaccumulation of radionuclides in interior plants parts prove to examine their origin sources, too. The activity of (210)Po, (234)U, and (238)U were measured using an alpha spectrometer. The values of uranium and polonium concentration in water with immediate area of waste heap are considerably higher than in the waters of the Martwa Wisła river. The values of activity ratio (234)U/(238)U are approximately about one in the phosphogypsum (0.97 ± 0.05) and in the water of retention reservoir and pumping station (0.92 ± 0.01 and 0.99 ± 0.08), while in the water from the Martwa Wisła river they are slightly higher than one (1.03 ± 0.07 and 1.17 ± 0.06). In the analyzed plants species the highest amounts of polonium and uranium were found in ruderal plants samples (between 51 ± 1 and 89 ± 1 for (210)Po; between 36 ± 3 and 68 ± 3 for (238)U) as well as hygrophilous plant samples (18 ± 1 and 84 ± 3; 42 ± 2 and 130 ± 4, respectively for (210)Po and (238)U). The more amounts of (210)Po and (238)U radionuclides were accumulated mainly in the roots of plant species in comparison to green parts. The general conclusion of realized study is higher influence of phosphogypsum on radioactive contamination of environmental zone around heap waste in Wiślinka (northern Poland).

Plutonium fractionation in southern Baltic Sea sediments

In this study, different chemical plutonium fractions (dissolved in water, connected to carbonates, connected to oxides, complexed with organic matter, mineral acids soluble and the rest) in sediments from the Vistula River estuary, the Gdańsk Basin and the Bornholm Deep were determined. The distribution of (239+240)Pu in analysed sediments samples was not uniform but dependent on its chemical form, depth and the sediment geomorphology. The highest amount of plutonium exists in middle parts of sediments and comes from the global atmospheric fallout from nuclear tests in 1958-1961. According to all analysed fractions, the biggest amount of (239+240)Pu was in the mobile form, connected to carbonate fractions from the Vistula River estuary, the Gulf of Gdańsk and the Bornholm Deep sediments.

Plutonium bioaccumulation in seabirds

The aim of the paper was plutonium (²³⁸Pu and ²³⁹⁺²⁴⁰Pu) determination in seabirds, permanently or temporarily living in northern Poland at the Baltic Sea coast. Together 11 marine birds species were examined: 3 species permanently residing in the southern Baltic, 4 species of wintering birds and 3 species of migrating birds. The obtained results indicated plutonium is non-uniformly distributed in organs and tissues of analyzed seabirds. The highest plutonium content was found in the digestion organs and feathers, the smallest in skin and muscles. The plutonium concentration was lower in analyzed species which feed on fish and much higher in herbivorous species. The main source of plutonium in analyzed marine birds was global atmospheric fallout.

The inflow of (238)Pu and (239+240)Pu from the Vistula River catchment area to the Baltic Sea

The aim of the work was to estimate plutonium inflow from the Vistula River's catchments area to the Baltic Sea. There were differences in plutonium activities depending on season and sampling site. The highest activities of (238)Pu and (239+240)Pu were transported from the Vistula River watershed to the Baltic Sea in spring and the lowest in summer. Annually, the southern Baltic Sea is enriched via the Vistula River with 10.3 MBq of (238)Pu and 89.0MBq of (239+240)Pu. The enhanced concentration of plutonium in water from the Vistula River is the result of its runoff from the Vistula drainage area, mostly from snowmelt, enhanced rainfalls and leached materials from river bed.

Bioaccumulation of polonium (210Po) and uranium (234U, 238U) in plants around phosphogypsum waste heap in Wiślinka (northern Poland)

In the study the activities of polonium 210Po and uranium 234U, 238U in plants, collected near phosphogypsum waste heap in Wiślinka (northern Poland), were determined by using the alpha spectrometry. The obtained results revealed that the concentrations of 210Po, 234U, and 238U in the analyzed plants were differentiated. In the analyzed flora organisms the highest amounts of polonium and uranium were found in ruderal plant samples as well as willow samples (Salix viminalis) from protection zone of phosphogypsum waste heap. The concentrations of 210Po, 234U and 238U in the analyzed plants were higher in roots than in green parts of plants. The higher concentrations of 210Po and 238U radionuclides were estimated for hydrophyte (common sedge Carex nigra Reichard), the favourite habitat of which is particularly wet meadow and for plants co llected in the vicinity of phosphogypsum waste heap. The major source of polonium and uranium in analyzed plants is root system. The values of 234U/ 238U activity ratio in all analyzed plants are closed to one, what indicated that source of uranium in analyzed plants is phoosphogypsum. The highest uranium and polonium concentrations were characterized for plants, which are covered with tomentose.

The comparability polonium and uranium contents were confirmed in edible plants, but higher accumulation was determined in ripe species than immature species of vegetables. The higher polonium and uranium concentrations were noticed in green parts of plant, the lower in roots. Polonium concentration in cultivated plants samples was not species diverse. Therefore, the significant source of polonium and uranium in analyzed plants is wet and dry atmospheric falls gathering the soil and air dust from phosphogypsum waste dump.

The maximum 210Po and 238U radionuclides concentrations were found in green parts of red beet (Beta vulgaris esculenta), the minimum in garden radish (Raphanus radicula). That's interesting too, that both species have hypocotyls tubers, but tuber of red beet is large than garden radish. In our opinion these differences may be connected with turgidity because leaves and root of radish garden were withered.

The inflow of uranium 234U and 238U from the Vistula River catchment area to the Baltic Sea

In the study, the activities of uranium 234U and 238U in the Vistula River water samples which were collected from November 2002 to October 2003, were measured using alpha spectrometry. In winter, the highest concentration of uranium isotopes and total uranium was in the Vistula River water from Malbork (13.13±0.22 Bq m−3 for 234U, 12.45±0.21 Bq m−3 for 238U and 1.02±0.30 mg m−3 for total uranium), and the lowest was in water from Dęblin (1.73±0.07 Bq m−3 for 234U, 1.55±0.07 Bq m−3 for 238U and 0.13±0.09 mg m−3 for total uranium). In analyzed river samples uranium isotopes 234U and 238U are not in the radioactive equilibrium state. The values of 234U/238U activity ratio lie between 1.05–1.70. During spring, the highest concentration of uranium isotopes and total uranium was found in the Vistula River water from Malbork (12.36±0.19 Bq m−3 for 234U, 10.77±0.17 Bq m−3 for 238U and 0.88±0.25 mg m−3 for total uranium), and the lowest was in water taken from Sandomierz (5.77±0.14 Bq m−3 for 234U) and Kraków (4.08±0.11 Bq m`−3 for 238U and 0.33±0.18 mg m−3 for total uranium). The values of 234U/238U activity ratio lie between 1.15–1.64. In summer, the highest concentration of uranium isotopes and total uranium was found in the Vistula River water samples taken from Malbork (8.22±0.21 Bq m−3 for 234U, 7.60±0.21 Bq m−3 for 238U and 0.62±0.29 mg m−3 for total uranium), and the lowest was in water from Sandomierz (6.37±0.12 Bq m−3 for 234U) and Kraków (3.56±0.19 Bq m−3 for 238U and 0.29±0.33 mg m−3 for total uranium). The values of 234U/238U activity ratio lie between 1.08–1.95. In autumn the highest concentration of uranium isotopes and total uranium was in the Vistula River water from Malbork (17.80±0.25 Bq m−3 for 234U, 15.12±0.23 Bq m−3 for 238U and 1.23±0.34 mg m−3 for total uranium) and the lowest was in water from Toruń (8.15±0.49 Bq m−3 for 234U) and Kraków (6.34±0.47 Bq m−3 for 238U and 0.52±0.78 mg m−3 for total uranium). The values of 234U/238U activity ratio lie between 1.10–1.74. Annually, the southern Baltic Sea is enriched by about 507 GBq uranium isotopes 234U and 238U, with 490 GBq going to the Gdańsk Bay and 16.5 GBq to Vistula Lagoon. The highest surface 238U runoff was observed in spring (to 1200 kBq km−2 quarter−1 for catchment´s area), the lowest in summer for Bug with Narew catchment´s area to 20 kBq km−2 quarter−1). These studies are very important for the inflow estimation of natural and anthropogenic alpha radionuclides to the Baltic Sea.

Geographical distribution of 90Sr contamination in Poland

The paper presents results on determination of 90Sr in bilberry and cowberry leaves (Vaccinium myrtillus and Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and the use of these plants as bio-monitors of radiostrontium contamination in Poland. Radiostrontium was determined by mean of liquid scintillation spectrometry preceded by radiochemical separation using Sr-resin and 85Sr tracer. The approximate map of 90Sr contamination of Poland is presented. The activity ratio between 90Sr and obtained earlier data for 137Cs in the same samples is discussed. The enhancement of radiostrontium content observed in northeastern Poland seems to be the trace of hot-particles fallout from initial Chernobyl cloud, which passed over Polish territory toward Scandinavia.

Seasonal and spatial variability of (210)Po, (238)U and (239+240)Pu levels in the river catchment area assessed by application of neural-network based classification

The present study deals with the application of self-organizing maps (SOM) in order to model, classify and interpret seasonal and spatial variability of (210)Po, (238)U and (239+240)Pu levels in the Vistula river basin. The data set represents concentration values for 3 alpha emitters ((210)Po, (238)U and (239+240)Pu) measured in surface water samples collected at 19 different sampling locations (8 in major Vistula stream while 11 in right or left Vistula tributaries) during four seasons (winter, spring, summer and autumn) in the framework of a one-year quality monitoring study. The advantages of an SOM algorithm, its classification and visualization ability for environmental data sets, are stressed. The neural-network based classification made it possible to reveal specific patterns related to both seasonal and spatial variability. In the middle and upper part of Vistula catchment as well as in the right-shore tributaries, concentrations of (210)Po and (238)U during summer and winter are the lowest. Concentrations of (210)Po and (238)U increase significantly during spring and autumn in the Vistula river catchment, especially in the delta of Vistula river. High concentration of anthropogenic originated (239+240)Pu indicates "site-specific" character of pollution in two large left-shore tributaries located in the middle part of the Vistula drainage area. Efficient classification of sampling locations could lead to an optimization of river radiochemical sampling networks and to a better tracing of natural and anthropogenic changes along Vistula river stream.

The inflow of polonium (210)Po from Vistula river catchments area

The activities of polonium (210)Po in Vistula unfiltered water samples, collected from November 2002 to November 2003, were measured using the alpha spectrometry. In winter, the highest concentration of (210)Po was in Vistula river water from Torun (2.72 +/- 0.04 Bq x m(-3)) and from the Wieprz river (5.46 +/- 0.07 Bq x m(-3) [Bequerel per cubic metre]), and the lowest was in water from Nida river (0.59 +/- 0.02 Bq x m(-3)). During spring, the highest concentration of (210)Po was observed in Vistula water collected in Deblin (5.98 +/- 0.03 Bq x m(-3)) and the lowest in water from the Narew river (1.20 +/- 0.12 Bq x m(-3)). In summer, the highest concentration of (210)Po was in Nogat river water collected in Malbork (3.18 +/- 0.04 Bq x m(-3)) and the Bzura river (5.30 +/- 0.02 Bq x m(-3)), the lowest in Wieprz river (0.49 +/- 0.09 Bq x m(-3)) and Vistula river water from Kraków (1.44 +/- 0.05 Bq x m(-3)). In autumn, the highest (210)Po concentration was in Bzura river (8.93 +/- 0.03 Bq x m(-3)), the lowest in Vistula water from Grudziadz (1.51 +/- 0.04 Bq x m(-3)), and Toruń (1.89 +/- 0.05 Bq x m(-3)). The highest quantity of (210)Po was transported from Vistula catchments area to the Baltic Sea in spring and the lowest in summer. Annually, the southern Baltic Sea is enriched by about 73.7 GBq (210)Po (with Leniwka and Nogat rivers), with 71.6 GBq going to Gdańsk Bay and 2.1 GBq to Vistula Lagoon. The highest surface (210)Po runoff was observed in spring (to 1370 kBq x km(-2) x quarter(-1) for Dunajec catchment's area), the lowest in summer (for Nida catchment's area to 100 kBq x km(-2) x quarter(-1)).

Accumulation of polonium 210Po in tissues and organs of deer carvidae from Northern Poland

This study was undertaken to provide information on accumulation of polonium in tissues and organs of deer carvidae in order to assess the potential transport of this element via food-chain to game meat consumers. Livers, kidneys and muscles of large herbivorous animals belonging to three species: roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama), collected in Northern Poland, were the subject of the present investigation. Activities of (210)Po were determined by means of alpha spectrometry along with relevant radiochemical procedures. The concentration of (210)Po in analyzed animals decreased in the order kidney > liver > muscle tissue. The average activity concentrations of (210)Po ranged between 0.02 +/- 0.01 Bq. kg(- 1) w.w. in muscles and 7.15 +/- 0.12 Bq. kg(- 1) w.w. in kidneys. Levels of polonium were not influenced by sampling location, sex, age and species of animals.

Bioaccumulation of polonium 210Po in marine birds

The aim of this work was to determine the 210Po content in marine birds which permanently or temporally live in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea. We chose 11 species of sea birds: three species permanently residing at southern Baltic Sea, four species of wintering birds and three species of migrating birds. The results show that the polonium is non-uniformly distributed in the marine birds. The highest activities of 210Po were observed in feathers, muscles and liver and the lowest in skin and skeleton. Species of birds that eat crustaceans, molluscs, fish and plants (long-tailed duck Clangula hyemalis, white-winged scoter Melanitta fusca) accumulated more polonium than species that eat mainly fish (great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, common guillemot Uria aalge) or plants (tufted duck Aythya fuligula). Moreover, about 63% of the 210Po that was located in feathers of razorbil (Alca torda) and long-tailed duck (C. hyemalis) was apparently adsorbed, suggesting an external source such as the air. It means that the adsorption of 210Po on the feather surface may be an important transfer from air to water.

Certified reference material for radionuclides in fish flesh sample IAEA-414 (mixed fish from the Irish Sea and North Sea)

A certified reference material (CRM) for radionuclides in fish sample IAEA-414 (mixed fish from the Irish Sea and North Seas) is described and the results of the certification process are presented. Nine radionuclides (40K, 137Cs, 232Th, 234U, 235U, 238U, 238Pu, 239+240Pu and 241Am) were certified for this material. Information on massic activities with 95% confidence intervals is given for six other radionuclides (90Sr, 210Pb(210Po), 226Ra, 239Pu, 240Pu 241Pu). Less frequently reported radionuclides (99Tc, 129I, 228Th, 230Th and 237Np) and information on some activity and mass ratios are also included. The CRM can be used for quality assurance/quality control of the analysis of radionuclides in fish sample, for the development and validation of analytical methods and for training purposes. The material is available from IAEA, Vienna, in 100 g units.

Plutonium concentrations in waters from the southern Baltic Sea and their distribution in cod (Gadus morhua) skin and gills

The concentrations of (238)Pu and (239+240)Pu in water samples and suspended particulate fractions, as well as in colloidal fraction from the southern Baltic Sea are presented. The (239+240)Pu concentration in surface seawater samples fall within range from 5.2 mBq.m(-3) for Gdańsk Bay to 150 mBq.m(-3) for Pomeranian Bay, most of which (from 52 to 96%) constituted filterable forms (</=0.45 microm). Also the distribution of plutonium in parts of cod gills and skin are presented and discussed. Over 60% of the plutonium in cod gills is accumulated in the gill arch, which suggests its metabolic origin. Most of plutonium associated with skin is in mucus, which suggests its adsorption from water.

Polonium 210Po in the phytobenthos from Puck Bay

The aim of the work was to determine the 210Po content in phytobenthos species (seaweeds and angiosperms) from Puck Bay (southern Baltic). Alpha spectrometry was used to measure and calculate the activities and concentrations of polonium 210Po in the phytobenthos. The activity of 210Po in Puck Bay waters was determined to estimate the bioconcentration factors (BCF) of these plants. The 210Po concentration in water was estimated at 0.25 mBq dm(-3). The lowest polonium concentration in the phytobenthos was found in Cladophora rupestris (0.12 Bq kg(-1) wet wt.), the highest in Chara crinita (1.12 Bq kg(-1) wet wt.). Polonium is accumulated in these phytobenthos species; the bioconcentration factors (BCF) ranged from 450 to 4400.

210Po bioaccumulation by mushrooms from Poland

The paper presents results on 210Po activity concentration measured in mushroom samples collected in northern Poland (Białogard and Elblag areas). Among 20 species of wild mushrooms, King Bolete (Boletus edulis), accumulated 210Po in the highest degree. Therefore this species of higher mushrooms is an excellent bioindicator for 210Po radioactivity in the land environment. Finally, the effective dose of polonium emission was calculated for a consumer of King Bolete. Wild mushroom consumption contributed up to 37 microSv to the effective dose in an individual consuming about 5 kg (fresh weight) of heavily contaminated Boletus edulis species per year.

Estimates of (239+240)Pu inventories in Gdańsk Bay and Gdańsk basin

This paper presents and discusses the results of (239+240)Pu determinations in different components of Gdańsk bay and Gdańsk basin ecosystem, as well as estimated sources and inventories of plutonium in these basins. The total plutonium (239+240)Pu activities deposited in Gdańsk bay and Gdańsk basin sediments are 1.18 TBq and 3.77 TBq, respectively. Two rivers, the Vistula and Neman rivers, and atmospheric fallout were distinguished as the main sources of plutonium in these basins. In seawater (with suspended matter included) there is about 2.33 GBq (239+240)Pu (0.2% of total activity) in Gdańsk bay and 9.92 GBq (239+240)Pu (0.3% of total activity) in Gdańsk basin. In both cases, 56% of (239+240)Pu is associated with suspended matter. Organisms contain 3.81 MBq in Gdańsk bay and 7.45 MBq (239+240)Pu in Gdańsk basin. From this value in Gdańsk bay 82.1% of plutonium is associated with zoobenthos, 13.6% with phytobenthos, 1.6% with phytoplankton, 1.5% with zooplankton and 1.2% with fish. In Gdańsk basin, 83.2% is associated with zoobenthos, 7.5% with phytobenthos, 3.6% with phytoplankton, 3.2% with zooplankton and 2.5% with fish.

Total mercury in mushrooms and underlying soil substrate from the Borecka Forest, Northeastern Poland

Total mercury concentrations were determined by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy in 240 composite samples of the caps, 240 of the stalks, and 16 of the whole fruiting bodies of 13 species of wild mushrooms and in 256 samples of underlying soil substrate collected from the Borecka Forest and the adjacent area in 1998. The area of the study is a background site with no known local sources of mercury emission. The mercury concentrations of the fruiting bodies varied largely (range between 14 and 14,000 ng/g dry weight) depending on the site and mushroom species investigated, but were less varied in soil samples (between 5 and 86 ng/g dry weight). The fruiting bodies of king bolete (Boletus edulis) showed greatest content of mercury. King bolete and yellow-cracking bolete (Xerocomus subtomentosus) collected from the Borecka Forest both contained in the caps around threefold greater concentrations of mercury than were noted for the same species collected from the surrounding area with 9,900 +/- 2,700 and 3,600 +/- 1,400, and 480 +/- 190 and 160 +/- 70 ng/g dry weight, respectively. Apart from the king bolete, relatively elevated concentrations of mercury were quantified also in a whole fruiting bodies of common puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) with 3,400 +/- 1,300 ng/g as well as in the caps and stalks of common scaber stalk (Leccinum scabrum) with 1,200 +/- 740 and 1,100 +/- 380 ng/g dry weight. In other species investigated, the mercury concentrations were below 1,000 ng/g dry weight, and the smallest values were noted for crab-scended brittle gills (Russula xerampelina) with 60 +/- 20 in the caps and 40 +/- 20 ng/g dry weight in the stalks. For the species such as larch bolete, bay bolete (Xerocomus badius), yellow-cracking bolete, king bolete, common scaber stalk, fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), crab-scented brittle gills, honey mushroom (Amariella mellea) and safron milk cap (Lactarius deliciosus) a positive correlation (0.01 < p < 0.05) between the mercury content and size (diameter) of the caps was found, and in some cases also between mercury content of the stalks and size (height) of the fruiting body. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) values of total mercury were greatest for king bolete, i.e., 250 +/- 65 in the caps and 140 +/- 47 in the stalks, while for the other species investigated were between 200 +/- 91 and 1.8 +/- 0.5 in the caps, and 94 +/- 57 and 1.7 +/- 0.4 in the stalks. Nevertheless, despite great values of BCF of mercury indicated for some species and also a positive correlation between mercury content of the caps/stalks and underlying soil substrate, subsequent coefficients of determination were usually below 40%, and only for bay bolete (stalk), yellow-cracking bolete (cap), common scaber stalk (cap), hard bolete (Leccinum griseum) (cap, stalk), crab-scented gills (stalk), and honey mushroom (cap) were up to 68, 82, 42, 82, 51, 74, and 45%, respectively. The values of the cap/stalk Hg quotient were greatest for larch bolete (Suillus flavus) collected from the Borecka Forest (4.4 +/- 1.3) and for honey mushroom (2.7 +/- 0.9) from the adjacent area.

234U and 238U isotopes in water and sediments of the southern Baltic

The aim of this work was to determine the concentration of 234U and 238U and calculate the values of the 234U/238U activity ratio in waters and sediments from the various regions of the southern Baltic Sea: Gdańsk Deep, Słupsk Narrow and Bornholm Deep. The concentration of uranium in analysed sediments from southern Baltic increase with core depth to what probably is connected with diffusion from sediments to water through interstitial water, where uranium concentration is much higher than in bottom water. The highest concentrations of uranium were observed in sediments of Słupsk Narrow (0.66-7.11 mg kg(-1) d.w.) and Słupsk Bank (0.61-6.93 mg kg(-1) d.w.), the lowest in sediments from Bornholm Deep (0.54-3.77 mg kg(-1) d.w.). The 234U/238U activity ratio results indicated that the sedimentation of terrigenic material and Vistula River transport are the general sources of uranium in the southern Baltic sediments. The value of 234U/238U activity ratio in sediments from reduction areas from southern Baltic (Gdańsk Deep and Bornholm Deep) indicated that reduction process of U(VI) to U(IV) and removing of anthropogenic uranium from seawater to sediments constitutes a small part only in Gdańsk Deep.

Application of ICP sector field MS and principal component analysis for studying interdependences among 23 trace elements in Polish beers

Twenty-three metallic elements, including almost all essential and toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, silver, and thallium, have been quantified in 35 types of bottled and canned Polish beer by using double-focusing sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with ultrasonic nebulization. The samples were digested using concentrated HNO3 in closed PTFE vessels and applying microwave energy under pressure. The means and medians of the concentrations of Rb, Mn, and Fe were on the order of 200 ng/mL; Cu, Zn, V, Cr, Sn, As, Pb, and Ni were detected at 1-5 ng/mL; Ag, Ga, Cd, Co, Cs, Hg, U, and Sb were found at < 1 ng/mL; and In, Tl, Bi, and Th were present at < 0.1 ng/mL. The concentrations of Hg, Cd, As, Pb, and Zn were 1-3 orders of magnitude lower than proposed tolerance limits. The interdependences among determined trace elements were examined using the principal component analysis (PCA) method. The PCA model explained 74% of the total variance. The metals tend to cluster together (As, Tl, Cs, Sn, Th, Bi, and Hg; Cd and Co; Cs and Cr; Fe and Zn; Mn and V).

Bioaccumulation and distribution of plutonium in fish from Gdansk Bay

In this paper, the results of 238Pu and 239 + 240Pu determinations in four representative species of Baltic fish collected in Gdansk Bay; flounder, herring, cod and sprat, are presented and discussed. The plutonium isotopes are amongst the more radiotoxic nuclides. In the marine environment, the highest concentrations of plutonium are found in the sediments, but the complex biogeochemical cycle of the element means that it is also found in all other compartments. The activities of the fish samples were measured using alpha spectrometry and the concentrations of plutonium 238Pu and 239 + 240Pu were estimated for particular organs and tissues and the whole body. The 239 + 240Pu concentrations for fish species were: flounder 0.94 mBq kg-1 w.w., herring 2.22 mBq kg-1 w.w., cod 2.35 mBq kg-1 w.w. and sprat 0.33 mBq kg-1 w.w. On the basis of the 238Pu/239 + 240Pu activity ratio in the organs and tissues, the proportion of Chernobyl-derived plutonium in the Baltic Sea was calculated. The lowest values of Chernobyl plutonium were accumulated in flounder stomach, herring skin, cod intestine, the highest in cod gills and skin.

Inhalation of 210Po and 210Pb from cigarette smoking in Poland

The carcinogenic etfect of 210Po and 210Pb with respect to lung cancer is an important problem in many countries with very high cigarette consumption. Poland has one of the highest consumptions of cigarettes in the world. The results of 210Po determination on the 14 most frequently smoked brands of cigarettes which constitute over 70% of the total cigarette consumption in Poland are presented and discussed. Moreover, the polonium content in cigarette smoke was estimated on the basis of its activity in fresh tobaccos, ash, fresh filters and post-smoking filters. The annual effective doses were calculated on the basis of 210Po and 210Pb inhalation with the cigarette smoke. The results of this work indicate that Polish smokers who smoke one pack (20 cigarettes) per day inhale from 20 to 215 mBq of 210Po and 210Pb each. The mean values of the annual effective dose for smokers were estimated to be 35 and 70 microSv from 210Po and 210Pb, respectively. For persons who smoke two packs of cigarettes with higher radionuclide concentrations, the effective dose is much higher (471 microSv yr(-1)) in comparison with the intake in diet. Therefore, cigarettes and the absorption through the respiratory system are the main sources and the principal pathway of 210Po and 210Pb intake of smokers in Poland.

Polonium 210Po in cigarettes produced in Poland

This paper discusses the results of 210Po determinations in the fourteen most frequently smoked brands of cigarettes, which constitute over 80% of total cigarette consumption in Poland. The 210Po activity in the cigarette samples analysed (tobacco, ash, filter before and after smoking) were measured using alpha spectrometry (Canberra-Packard). The data indicates that there is considerable variation in the polonium content of these brands. The highest 210Po content per sample was found in the cheap "Popularne" brand (24.12 mBq), the lowest in "Caro" (4.23 mBq). There was also a large difference between the polonium remaining in the ash in comparison with its total content in the tobacco in all the brands (from 4.3% for "Golden American" to 71.0% for "Sobieski King-Size"). The analysis has demonstrated that filters absorbed only a small amount of the polonium contained in the tobacco. "Caro" cigarettes have the most efficient filter, retaining 25.1% of the polonium contained in the tobacco, but most filters absorbed only 0.1-7.2% of polonium. The daily inhalation of 210Po by Polish smokers who get through one pack per day ranges from 20 to 215 mBq, but people smoking two or more packs of "Popularne" brand will inhale over 430 mBq of polonium per day.