Gamma-emitters 90Sr, 238,239+240Pu and 241Am in bones and liver of eagles from Poland

Mietelski, J.W., Kitowski, I., Gaca, P., Grabowska, S., Tomankiewicz, Ewa and Szwałko, P. (2006) Gamma-emitters 90Sr, 238,239+240Pu and 241Am in bones and liver of eagles from Poland. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 270 (1), 131-135. (doi:10.1007/s10967-006-0319-y).

Abstract

The present study focused on analyzing samples of bones, livers and kidneys of European white-tailed eagles (Haliaëtus albicilla) and lesser-spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina). Bone samples were collected for both species, from 7 and 2 individuals, respectively, whereas liver and kidney samples for white-tailed eagle species only, 2 and 1 individuals, respectively. The samples were analyzed for the presence of gamma-emitters and then for 90Sr, 238Pu, 239+240Pu and 241Am. The applied radiochemical method is presented. Activity concentration in ashen bones (600 °C) for 90Sr ranged from 4.6±1.2 to 31.0±2.5 Bq/kg, for 239+240Pu from <1.7 to 21±4 mBq/kg, for 238Pu from <2.7 to 6.5±1.3 mBq/kg and for 241Am from <1.2 to 6.5±4.4 mBq/kg. Relatively high 239+240Pu activity concentration of 78±9 mBq/kg (for fresh weight) was recorded in a single kidney sample. The liver samples showed activities of magnitude at least one order lower. No clear correlations were found between the activities of different radionuclides.

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