Radium-226 levels and concentration ratios between water, vegetation, and tissues of ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) from a watershed with uranium tailings near Elliot Lake, Canada

Radionuclide levels measured in bone, muscle, kidney and liver tissues, gut contents and diet items of 47 grouse from the Serpent River drainage basin, containing uranium (U) tailings at Elliot Lake, and from control areas in Ontario, showed variation by site and tissue. The mean level of 226radium (Ra) in bones of grouse sampled from Elliot Lake (28.5 mBq g(-1)) was higher than that in bones of birds from a distant control site near Sudbury, Ontario (8.0 mBq g(-1)) but similar to the value in a local control population (28.1 mBq g(-1)). Birds from Mid- and Low-Serpent River basin populations (with 17.1 and 17.7 mBw g(-1), respectively) did not differ from local or distant control populations; muscle, liver and kidney had lower 226Ra concentrations, which did not differ significantly among populations. Levels of 226Ra in the crop contents and intestine did not differ significantly by site and were similar to those of food items consumed by the birds. Stomach content values were higher in birds sampled in Elliot Lake and at the local control site than in those taken at the distant control site; birds sampled downstream from Elliot Lake did not differ from distant controls in this regard. Levels of 232thorium (Th) and 230Th were below detection limits (0.1 microg g(-1) and 5.0 mBq g(-1), respectively) in bone, muscle and liver tissue in two grouse with elevated levels of 226Ra. Other radionuclides were measurable in some tissues: 238U in bone at 0.4 microg g(-1), in muscle to 0.2 microg g(-1), in liver to 1.0 gmg g(-1.), 228Th was found only in muscle (8.0 mBq g(-1)), 210poloniuim (Po) was found in bone, muscle and liver (maxima: 24.0, 7.0, 16.0 mBq g(-1)) with the exception of one muscle sample; 210lead (Pb) was detected in only one liver sample (50.0 mBq g(-1)). Environmental levels fell within ranges previously reported at the sites, or at similar locations elsewhere. Leaves of trembling and largetooth aspen growing in the basin had mean 226Ra levels of 14.8 and 52.7 mBq g(-1) (dry weight) respectively, and fungal material carried up to 215.4 mBq g(-1) (air-dried), with some variation by site. River and lake waters sampled near the U tailings had 118.1 mBq litre(-1) of dissolved 226Ra; at the distant control site the value was 12.1 mBq litre(-1). The concentration ratios (CR) between bone of grouse collected at the Elliot Lake sites and trembling and largetooth aspen leaves were 1.38 and 1.09 (fresh weight basis); from other diet items and to other tissues the values were less than unity. Bone tissue: water ratios, based on dissolved 226Ra levels, ranged to 30.89. People eating grouse from the study area are unlikely to consume radionuclides in excess of limits currently established by Canadian regulatory authorities.     

Radium-226 in water, sediments, and fish from lakes near the city of Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada

Ra-226 was measured by alpha-emission spectroscopy in water, sediments, and fish (tissues and gut contents), from five lakes in a watershed containing U mining and milling operations at Elliot Lake, Ontario, and from control lakes in an adjacent non-industrialized watershed. Ra-226 transfer parameters from lake water and sediments to fish tissues, and annual intakes by humans consuming fish, were estimated. Mean dissolved 226Ra levels ranged from approximately 76 mBq litre(-1) in water of the most affected lake, to < 10 mBq litre(-1) in control lakes. Levels in summer were consistently higher than in fall or winter; no consistent variation with depth was noted. Sediment levels ranged from approximately 3000 mBq g(-1) dry wt in one study lake to < 100 mBq g(-1) dry wt of sediment in control lakes. Bone 226Ra concentrations were higher than in muscle. The lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), a predatory secondary consumer, had bone 226Ra levels (< 20 mBq g(-1) dry wt) that did not show significant site variation. In contrast, bottom feeding whitefish had significantly more 226Ra in bone tissue (to 38 mBq g(-1) dry wt in the lake whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis, and 76 mBq g(-1) in round whitefish, Prosopium cylindraceum) in study lakes than in controls (< 20 mBq g(-1) dry wt). Ra-226 levels in lake trout muscle were low and showed erratic variation among lakes whereas levels in whitefish muscle did not vary significantly among study and control sites. Lake herring (= cisco, Coregonus artedii), a planktivorous fish taken only from Quirke Lake, had mean 226Ra levels of 18 and 1.4 mBq g(-1) dry wt in bone and muscle, respectively. Gut 226Ra levels, highest in lake trout from McCabe and Quirke Lakes (126 +/- 53, 64 +/- 44 mBq g(-1) dry wt, respectively), and just detectable in McCabe and Elliot Lake whitefish (24 +/- 2, 36 +/- 14 mBq g(-1) dry wt, respectively), were below detection in lake trout and whitefish from other lakes. Concentration ratios (CRs) of 226Ra from water to muscle ranged from 8 to 14 in lake trout, 7 to 14 in whitefish, and 4 to 6 in lake herring. The water to bone CRs varied from 81 to 142, 314 to 548, and 126 to 272 in the same species. CRs were always < 1 between sediments and fish tissues. Annual intake of 226Ra by human consumers of these fish was estimated to provide an effective dose of 0.003 mSv year(-1). This represents a small fraction of both natural background (> 2 mSv year(-1)) and the public dose limit (5 mSv year(-1)).     

U- and Th-series radionuclides in snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) taken near U mill tailings close to Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada

Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) trapped near U tailings had higher concentrations of (226)Ra in their bones (250 +/- 94 mBq g(-1) dry wt) than those from local control sites 3-15 km from the tailings (20-30 mBq g(-1) dry wt) and those from a distant control site 880 km away from the U mining area, which were below the detection limit (DL) (3.7 mBq g(-1) dry wt). Most chyme (stomach content) samples contained 226Ra below DL. Concentration ratios of 226Ra from tissues of local plants, considered important in the hare's diet, to bone ranged from 0.22 to 8.60. Concentrations of 210Pb and 210Po (95-245 mBq g(-1) dry wt) were not significantly different among tailings and control site populations. Disequilibrium between these isotopes and their precursors was noted. No significant accumulation of U and Th was noted at any site. Higher concentrations of 228Th compared to 232Th are attributed to accumulation of 228Ra in a manner similar to that of 226Ra. Based on bone 226Ra and 210Po contents, the maximum internal dose rates to the skeleton and the maximum life-time dose of hare living near tailings were 3.9 x 10(-5) Gy d(-1) and 4.2 x 10(-2) Gy, respectively. These rates were below the threshold required to produce osteosarcoma in other mammals and were considered unlikely to adversely affect hare during their lifetime. Radionuclide uptake by the animals was concluded to have no environmental significance in the transport of radionuclides from tailings to other locations.     

Radionuclides (lead-210, polonium-210, thorium-230, and -232) and thorium and uranium in water, sediments, and fish from lakes near the city of Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada

Radionuclides (210Pb, 210Po, 230Th, and 232Th) and chemical Th and U were measured in water, sediments, and fish tissues (bone, muscle, and gut contents of laketrout, Salvelinus namaycush, whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis and Prosopium cylindraceum) from four lakes in a watershed affected by U mining and milling operations at Elliot Lake, Ontario, and from control lakes in an adjacent, non-industrialized, watershed. Radionuclide concentration ratios between tissue levels and sediment and water levels were calculated. Annual radionuclide intakes and resulting doses were estimated for humans consuming fish from the watershed. Bone 210Pb levels were higher (186 mBq g(-1) dry wt in laketrout and 230 mBq g(-1) dry wt in one lake whitefish) than in muscle (< 50 mBq g(-1) dry wt in all cases), and generally higher in fish from study lakes than from controls, but no consistent differences were observed among fish species. Similarly, 210Po levels were higher in bone (208 +/- 33 mBq g(-1), in laketrout) than muscle (maximum 26 +/- 4 mBq g(-1), in laketrout), and in study lake populations compared to controls. Laketrout 210Po bone concentrations were higher than previously reported in Canada. Levels of 230Th, 232Th, and Th were below detection limits (20 mBq g(-1), 0.05 microg g(-1)) in body tissues in all fish species. Bone levels of U (14.6 +/- 3.0 microg g(-1), in lake whitefish) were higher than in muscle (most < 0.05 microg g(-1), except 0.12 +/- 0.04 and 0.08 +/- 0.03 microg g(-1) in lake whitefish) in fish from waters affected by industrial activity. In control lakes, bone and muscle levels were lower and not significantly different from each other. Muscle levels did not vary consistently with location. Concentration of 210Pb and U was seen from water and 'gut' material (taken as a surrogate for diet) to bone in laketrout and whitefish, and of U from water to muscle in whitefish, but in no case from sediments to tissues. Human intakes of 210Pb, 210Po, 230Th, 232Th, and U from consuming one meal of fish (375 g) per week could, in aggregate, represent an annual effective dose < 15% of the public dose limit (5 mSv). Monitoring biota living near the decommissioned Elliot Lake U operations, especially of 210Pb levels in fish muscle, with further assessment of human doses attributable to local fish and other animals in the diet, should continue. Because radionuclide effects on fish health (and on other non-human organisms) are of increasing concern, neoplasms, malformations, and reproductive anomalies in local fish deserve examination.     

Radium-226 in cattails, Typha latifolia, and bone of muskrat, Ondatra zibethica (L.), from a watershed with uranium tailings near the city of Elliot Lake, Canada

Radium-226 concentrations were measured in the main food plants (cattails, Typha latifolia) and bone of adult muskrats (Ondatra zibethica (L.)), taken from a study area near Quirke Lake in the Serpent River drainage basin. This watershed receives drainage containing radionuclides from the U tailings near the City of Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada. Two control sites (one local, one 130 km distant) were also sampled. Radium-226 levels in cattails varied by plant part and place of collection. Roots sampled in the study area had the highest mean (226)Ra level (1135.0 mBq g(-1)), stems and leaves had 284.2 and 275.9 mBq g(-1), respectively (dry-weight basis, n = 6 in all cases). Local and distant control cattails carried much lower (226)Ra levels (20.2 and 15.2 mBq g(-1) dry weight, respectively, using pooled equal portions of all plant parts, n = 3 in both cases). Muskrats from waters with mean total (226)Ra levels in the period, 1984-1987 greater than 75.0 mBq litre(-1) ('study-high' sites), near U tailings within 10 km of Quirke Lake, had a mean (geometric) bone level of (226)Ra of 344.9 mBq g(-1) (dry-weight basis, n = 36); those from nearby waters, containing < 75.0 mBq litre(-1) of (226)Ra ('study-low' sites), had a mean bone level (80.3 mBq g(-1), n = 9) similar to animals taken in unaffected local control areas 20 km from the tailings (79.1 mBq g(-1), n = 12); animals from the distant control area, near Sudbury, Ontario, had the lowest mean burden (11.5 mBq g(-1), n = 24). Levels were unrelated to age or sex of the animals. Dry-weight based (226)Ra concentration ratios (bone concentration/plant tissue concentration) were calculated to range from 0.3-1.4 in the study-high area to 2.4-6.3 in the local control area. Wet-weight based concentration ratios were about 4.3 times higher. Concentration ratios were similar to values calculated for other species and in general agreement with values calculated for humans. The muskrat is judged to be a useful indicator (biomonitor) of environmental (226)Ra levels as there is a highly significant positive correlation coefficient (r = 0.74) between bone and ambient (water) concentrations of the radionuclide (F79 = 95.04, P < 0.0001) Estimated yearly (226)Ra intake by people eating muskrats was calculated to be below the current allowable level set by Canadian regulatory authorities.     

Uptake of radionuclides by vegetation at a High Arctic location

Radionuclide levels in vegetation from a High Arctic location were studied and compared to in situ soil concentrations. Levels of the anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs and the natural radionuclides 40K, 238U, 226Ra and 232Th are discussed and transfer factor (TF) values and aggregated transfer (Tag) values are calculated for vascular plants. Levels of 137Cs in vegetation generally followed the order mosses > lichen > vascular plants. The uptake of 137Cs in vascular plants showed an inverse relationship with the uptake of 40K, with 137Cs TF and Tag values generally higher than 40K TF and Tag values. 40K activity concentrations in all vegetation showed little correlation to associated soil concentrations, while the uptake of 238U, 226Ra and 232Th by vascular and non-vascular plants was generally low.     

Migration of acidic groundwater seepage from uranium-tailings impoundments, 2. Geochemical behavior of radionuclides in groundwater

In this second paper of a series on groundwater seepage from uranium tailings, the general geochemical behavior of radionuclides is described and then applied to data from the field site, Seepage Area A of the Nordic Main impoundment near Elliot Lake, Ontario. The delineation of radionuclide behavior requires (1) the calculation of total element concentration by the summation of concentrations of each element's isotopes (the isotopic concentrations are calculated from the isotopes' radioactivities), (2) the evaluation of solid-liquid interactions using total element concentrations, and (3), for particular isotopes, the evaluation of the extent to which parental geochemical behavior causes a deviation in the isotope's behavior from that of its total element. A computerized speciation program, WATRAD, is used to evaluate aqueous complexation and mineral saturation indices of radium, actinium, thorium, and uranium. Data from Seepage Area A on isotopes of these four elements plus ²¹⁰Pb show that the geochemical behavior of radionuclides can be best defined on an individual isotopic basis rather than on an elemental basis.     

Assessment of 222Rn emanation from ore body and backfill tailings in low-grade underground uranium mine

This paper presents a comparative study of ²²²Rn emanation from the ore and backfill tailings in an underground uranium mine located at Jaduguda, India. The effects of surface area, porosity, ²²⁶Ra and moisture contents on ²²²Rn emanation rate were examined. The study revealed that the bulk porosity of backfill tailings is more than two orders of magnitude than that of the ore. The geometric mean radon emanation rates from the ore body and backfill tailings were found to be 10.01?×?10^?3 and 1.03 Bq m^?2 s^?1, respectively. Significant positive linear correlations between ²²²Rn emanation rate and the ²²⁶Ra content of ore and tailings were observed. For normalised ²²⁶Ra content, the ²²²Rn emanation rate from tailings was found to be 283 times higher than the ore due to higher bulk porosity and surface area. The relative radon emanation from the tailings with moisture fraction of 0.14 was found to be 2.4 times higher than the oven-dried tailings. The study suggested that the mill tailings used as a backfill material significantly contributes to radon emanation as compared to the ore body itself and the ²²⁶Ra content and bulk porosity are the dominant factors for radon emanation into the mine atmosphere.     

Radiometric and environmental impacts of mill tailings at experimental plant processing unit,Allouga, Egypt

Abstract

Uranium mining and ore processing are known to be harmful to the environment and human health if the waste generated is not managed properly. The aim of the present study is to determine the radiological indices in the mill tailings and review the possible attempts to utilize and minimize its hazardous effect. The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides, ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K have been measured by gamma spectrometry using HP-Ge detector. The average activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K in the tailings wastes were 2071.8, 59.92, 6921.262, and 445. 57?Bq/kg respectively which are higher than the international average limit. The ranges of hazard indices such as Radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq), external hazard index (H_ex), internal hazard index (H_in), γ-radiation hazard index I_γ, Dose rate (nGy/h) and annual effective dose equivalent (AED), were estimated. Uraniumm isotopic ratios in the ore –material and mill tailing samples indicate migration out of radionuclides to the surrounding environment causing contamination and many dangerous diseases. Fairly, all investigated tailing waste samples do not satisfy the universal standards, the studied wastes relatively still have high uranium contents and need reprocessing.     

Effect of physiological conditions and biochemical factors of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis in radioactivity monitoring programs along the Algerian coast

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A study was carried out to determine the activities of radionuclides (137Cs, 40K, 226Ra, 214Bi, 214Pb, and 210Pb) and the levels of biochemical...     

Distribution of trace element pollutants in a contaminated grassland ecosystem established on metalliferous fluorspar tailings. 2: Zinc

Concentrations of zinc in vegetation, invertebrates and small mammals in a grassland ecosystem derived from a mine waste vegetation scheme indicated the high concentration of zinc in the original tailings. However, the considerable differences in soil and vegetation zinc concentrations between the tailings and an uncontaminated site were not reflected in the invertebrate and small mammal communities. Invertebrate zinc levels and total body concentrations in Microtus agrestis L. (field vole) and Sorex araneus L. (common shrew) suggested a notable buffering of zinc absorption and tissue accumulation in the presence of substantially elevated dietary zinc. In the small mammals the skeleton appeared to function as the major storage site for zinc, possibly contributing to homeostasis in the soft tissues.     

40K, 226Ra, 232Th, 238U and 137Cs relationships and behaviour in sedimentary rocks and sediments of a karstic coastal area (Kaštela Bay,Croatia) and related rocks and sediments’ differentiation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Natural (40K, 226Ra, 232Th, 238U) and anthropogenic (137Cs) radionuclides in consolidated sedimentary rocks (limestones s.l. and marls) and...     

Specific accumulation of 20 trace elements in great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from Japan

This study is to elucidate the specific accumulation of 20 trace elements in tissues/organs of great cormorants from two different colonies (Lake Biwa and Mie) in Japan. In the body distribution of trace elements, some elements revealed tissue-specific accumulation such as most of the burden of Mo, Ag and Cd in liver, Tl and Cd in kidney, Cu, Rb and Cs in muscle, and V, Sr and Ba in bone. Gender-related variation was not observed in both populations for most of the trace elements, except for higher hepatic Sr in males from Lake Biwa. Hepatic V, muscular Hg and Tl, and Cd in liver, kidney and muscle increased with growth. Comparison of trace element levels in tissues between the two colonies showed that Cr, Rb, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba and Tl levels were higher in Lake Biwa than in Mie, whereas Zn, Co and Hg in Mie samples were greater than Lake Biwa. Variations of elemental levels in stomach contents also showed similar patterns, thus, showing that dietary sources tended to be the main factor for these regional variations. Toxic Hg and Cd concentrations in the liver of cormorants from the two colonies were lower than those from other areas, implying relatively low exposure to these metals in the present study sites. Concentrations of V, Co, Ag, Cd, Cs, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi in liver remained more or less at the same level between 1993 and 2003, while hepatic Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr and Ba showed apparent decrease, which might be related to the biological factors.     

Distribution of trace element pollutants in a contaminated ecosystem established on metalliferous fluorspar tailings. 3: fluoride

High total soil fluoride (10 000 microg g(-1)) in the metalliferous fluorspar tailings was reflected by elevated concentrations in standing live vegetation (300-1000 microg g(-1)); plant roots (c. 6000 microg g(-1)); plant litter (c. 4000 microg g(-1)); total body concentrations of invertebrates (400-4000 microg g(-1)) and the small mammals Microtus agrestis (120-360 microg g(-1)) and Sorex araneus (140-250 microg g(-1)). Seasonal changes in the standing live vegetation and the availability of soil fluoride to plants are discussed. Seasonal changes in total body concentrations of the small mammals were related to the age structure of the populations as well as dietary levels. In the small mammals, the concentration ratios were < 0.5 at the tailings dam and > 1.1 at the control site, indicating that both species were able to regulate fluoride accumulation at the higher levels of intake. Soft tissue concentrations were, as expected, very low compared to the hard tissues but, still, were generally significantly higher at the tailings dam compared to the control site. Evidence of dental fluorosis was found in Microtus agrestis, but not Sorex araneus.     

Distribution and bioaccumulation of steroidal and phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals in wild fish species from Dianchi Lake, China

The distribution and bioaccumulation of steroidal and phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) were studied in various tissues of wild fish species from Dianchi Lake, China. In muscle tissue, 4-tert-octylphenol, 4-cumylphenol, 4-nonlyphenol and bisphenol A were detected in fish from each sampling site, with maximal concentrations of 4.6, 4.4, 18.9 and 83.5 ng/g dry weight (dw), respectively. Steroids (estrone, 17β-estradiol 17α-ethynylestradiol and estriol) were found at lower levels (<11.3 ng/g dw) and less frequently in muscle samples. The highest concentrations of steroids and phenols were found in liver, followed by those in gill and the lowest concentration was found in muscle. The field bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of phenols were calculated in fish species ranged from 18 to 97. Moreover, the measured tissue concentrations were utilized in order to estimate water concentration of steroids (4.4-18.0 ng/L). These results showed that steroidal and phenolic EDCs were likely ubiquitous contaminants in wild fish.     

Metal levels in body tissues, forage and fecal pellets of elk (Cervus elaphus) living near the ore smelters at Sudbury, Ontario.

Ontario's only free-ranging elk herd located at Burwash-French River has been subjected to the influence of historic copper-nickel-iron (Cu-Ni-Fe) ore smelting operations within the Sudbury area. Metal levels in selected body tissues, preferred forage items and fecal pellets were determined, and their potential effects on health and reproductive viability assessed. Significant age effects were apparent in 13 out of 31 tissue metal values obtained, with most age-related differences attributable to elevated concentrations in fetal tissues. Cu and zinc (Zn) levels were four to six times higher in livers and one and a half to two times higher in the bones of fetuses as compared to post-natal animals. Enhanced pre-natal tissue burdens were also noted for cobalt (Co), Ni and lead (Pb) in muscles. However, mean cadmium (Cd) levels in kidney, liver and muscle tissues, as well as hepatic Fe concentrations, showed significant increases with age. Although Cd levels in the kidneys of older elk were still well below the reported threshold for irreversible organ damage, and not considered to be health-threatening, detailed histological study of the cortical tissues for subtle pathotoxicological effects may be warranted. Unlike renal and hepatic tissues, Cd concentrations in skeletal muscle were minimal and within levels considered acceptable for human consumption. Forage species collected in the elk range generally showed higher (two to eight times) Ni and Fe levels than the corresponding plants from a non-contaminated reference site. The highest Ni and Fe burdens were carried by eastern white cedar, a preferred winter food item for elk. No consistent site-related trends were demonstrated by Cu, Zn, Co, Pb, chromium (Cr) and Cd forage levels. Mean metal concentrations in fecal pellets generally exceeded the mean composite forage levels by a factor of 3, except for Ni, which was five times more concentrated in feces. Significantly elevated Ni and Fe levels in preferred browse species and fecal pellets of the Sudbury-area elk could be of concern and warrant further investigation.     

Mobility of radium and trace metals in sediments of the Winterbeek: Application of sequential extraction and DGT techniques

For several decades, phosphate ores containing ²²⁶Ra as well as several trace metals have been processed in Belgium to produce calcium phosphate for use in cattle food. The waste water is discharged in two small rivers, the Laak and the Winterbeek.In this study, the levels of ²²⁶Ra and trace metals in surface water and sediments of the Winterbeek were investigated and the mobility of these compounds was assessed using DGT (Diffusive Gradient in Thin Films) and sequential extraction techniques.The concentrations of ²²⁶Ra and trace metals in water and sediment indicate a decreasing trend in inputs to the Winterbeek.The mobility of ²²⁶Ra, assessed by DGT, is related to the reductive mobilization of Fe. The sequential extraction technique shows that at some stations an important fraction of ²²⁶Ra is found to labile sediment phases.Diffusive ²²⁶Ra sediment fluxes, are however, relatively small and have only a minor contribution to the water column concentration of ²²⁶Ra.     

Evaluation of the 226Ra transport by river sediments surrounding the Brazilian uranium mining and milling facilities

A study of the (226)Ra contamination of the river sediments surrounding the Brazilian uranium mining and milling facilities was carried out. The nondetrital (226)Ra concentrations were determined performing a 0.5 N HCl leaching. Some preliminary speciations experiments using Tessier's sequential extraction procedure were also carried out. (228)Ra was used as a monitor of the natural variations. In general one could not observe increase in the non-detrital (226)Ra fraction between the pre-operational and operational data. Additionally, speciations experiments have shown the exchangeable fraction to be the main one responsible for (226)Ra content. Although the results indicate that the sediment is an important means of radium downstream transport, its availability suggests the soluble form to be the main path through the main foodchain. Attention must be paid to the release of (226)Ra bound to barium sulphate from the chemical processing effluent since increments of that fraction were observed in bottom sediments.     

Concentrations of heavy metal and radioactivity in surface water and sediment of Hazar Lake (Elaziğ, Turkey)

Concentration of heavy metals and natural gross radioactivity were measured in the surface water and sediment of Hazar Lake (Elazi?, Turkey). Eight sampling sites were pre-defined in different locations of the lake. A preliminary study on heavy metals (Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Co and Pb), major elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations and natural radioactivity related to 226Ra, gross-alpha and gross-beta radiations in the surface water and deep sediments were determined. The obtained results showed that, in general, the heavy metals (Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu and Pb) and major elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations in water did not exceed WHO (World Health Organization, 1999), EC (Europe Community, 1998), EPA (Environment Protection Agency, 2002) and TSE-266 (Turkish Standard, 1997) guidelines. Generally, heavy metals and major elements concentration of the sediments were found decrease in sequence of Fe>Mg>Ca>Mn>Zn>Ni>Cr>Cu>Co>Pb. The results of this study indicated that a general absence of serious pollution in the Hazar Lake. The results obtained from the radioactivity determination indicate that the surface water radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, gross-alpha and gross-beta were ranging from 0.52+/-0.02 to 2.02+/-0.06 Bq/l and from 0.65+/-0.03 to 2.52+/-0.07 Bq/l and from 0.01+/-0.01 to 0.14+/-0.01 Bq/l, respectively. Deep sediment radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra is ranging from 0.07+/-0.03 to 0.32+/-0.07 Bq/g.