Land use influence on Cs-137 levels in perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and roach (Rutilus rutilus L.)

Abstract

The environmental influence on Chernobyl-derived Cs-137 levels in perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) was revealed using partial least-squares regression (PLS). The 53 environmental predictors used describe land use in catchment areas, various catchment area and lake characteristics, lake water chemistry, and fish stock composition. The study showed a profound effect of land use on the Cs-137 levels in fish. Radiocaesium deposited on arable land was retained in the soil to a greater extent than was Cs-137 deposited on wetlands, which more easily leached out to the lake ecosystems. The Cs-137 deposition close to the lakes had a more pronounced effect on Cs-137 levels in the fish than did more distant deposition. The radiocaesium bioavailability is mainly governed by lake water cation content, as hardwater lakes had significantly lower Cs-137 content in fish. Resuspension of Cs-137 contaminated sediments only had a limited influence on the observed levels in fish. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Published in

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
2001, volume: 55, number: 2, pages: 125-143
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU Authors

• Sonesten, Lars

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Fish and Aquacultural Science
Environmental Sciences and Nature Conservation

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(00)00187-9

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/14567