Natural radionuclides in sediment and in arcid clam (<i>Anadara granosa</i> L.) and gobiid mudskipper (<i>Boleophthalmus boddaerti</i> Cuv. and Va.)

Abstract

Distribution of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra and ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po in sediment and in tissues of <i>A. granosa</i> and <i>B. Boddaerti </i> from coastal waters of Bombay was estimated. The levels of these natural radionuclides were highest in the deposited sediment (20 ± 4.84, 43.6 ± 12.2, 356 ± 68.8 and 784.1 ± 174.2 mBq g^-1 dry sediment respectively for ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra and ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po. Concentration of ²¹⁰Po was significantly higher compared to other nuclides in the soft tissues of <i>A. granosa</i>. The levels of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po were higher in tissues of <i>A. granosa</i> than in those of <i>B. Boddaerti</i> from the same environment. Higher ratio of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb activity in the clam and fish suggests ²¹⁰Po is more reactive than its precursor ²¹⁰Pb and also there is a distinct bioaccumulation of unsupported ²¹⁰Po than that supported by ²¹⁰Pb.