Comparative kinetic desorption of 60Co, 85Sr and 134Cs from a contaminated natural silica sand column: influence of varying physicochemical conditions and dissolved organic matter

In order to determine the mechanisms of the retention of 60Co, 85Sr and 134Cs in natural silica sand columns, desorption experiments were performed by changes of pH and ionic strength and by injection of natural organic matter (NOM). Injection of KCl (0.1 M) resulted in a high release of 60Co (60-100%) and 85Sr (72-100%) but a smaller release of 134Cs (31-66%). Only limited release of 60Co (66%) and 85Sr (71%) and no release of 134Cs were observed by injection of NOM. The different percentages of desorption were related to the chemical characteristics of the organic colloids previously retained in columns before the desorption step. The results evidenced different sorption processes on energetically heterogeneous surface sites. According to the initial conditions, the binding of the radionuclides to the solid phase resulted from weak and easily reversible sorption processes to strong association probably by inner sphere complexes. The rather weak release of 134Cs by KCl was attributed to the strong retention of 134Cs by clay coatings on the natural silica sand surfaces.     

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.     

Biomonitoring trace element atmospheric deposition using lichens in China

Concentrations of 32 elements, Ag, As, Au, Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mo, Na, Nd, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, U, W, Yb, and Zn were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) in the early preserved epiphytic lichens (Parmotrema recticulatum) from the remote southwestern China area in the 1960s, 1980s and 1990s. The concentrations of Ag, As, Ce, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Nd, Ni, Sc, Se, Sm, Tb, U, Yb and Zn were dropped down by the temporal prolongation. The elemental concentration levels obtained from the organisms indicate that the extent of heavy metal atmospheric deposition among the sampling sites has been declining during the past decades.     

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...     

Atmospheric trace element deposition: principal component analysis of ICP-MS data from moss samples

Data from a Norwegian survey on atmospheric deposition, including 33 elements in 495 moss samples collected in 1990, are presented. The biomonitor moss used was Hylocomium splendens, and the analyses were carried out by ICP-MS. Principal component analysis is used to identify possible sources of the elements determined in the mosses. Dominant factors represent long-range atmospheric transported elements (Bi, Pb, Sb, Mo, Cd, V, As, Zn, Tl, Hg, Ga), windblown mineral particles (Y, La, Al, Li, U, Th, Ga, Fe, V, Cr), local emission sources (Ni, Cu, Co, and As; Zn, Cd, and Hg; Fe, Cr, and Al), transport from the marine environment (Mg, B, Na, Sr, Ca), and contribution from higher plants (Cs, Rb, Ba, Mn). Comparison of the results with similar surveys from 1977 and 1985 show a decreasing contribution of most long-range transported elements to southern Norway.     

Diffusivity measurement of heavy ions in Wyoming montmorillonite gels by X-ray computed tomography

Medical X-ray computed tomography (CT) was applied to the measurement of the diffusion coefficients of heavy ions in an artificial barrier material for the disposal of nuclear wastes. Cs(+), Sr(2+), I(-), and Br(-) are the heavy ions measured and the barrier used is the water-rich gel of Wyoming montmorillonite (86.5-100 wt.% H(2)O). X-ray CT yields an inevitable artifact (beam-hardening) in the obtained images. Before the diffusion experiments, the polychromatic primary X-ray spectrum of the CT scanner was measured by a CdZnTe detector, and the effects of the artifact were examined for an aqueous CsCl solution sample. The results show that the beam-hardening artifact derived from the polychromatic photon energy distribution can be suppressed by applying a special image reconstruction method assuming the chemical composition of samples. The transient one-dimensional diffusion of heavy ions in a plastic container filled with the gel was imaged nondestructively by the X-ray CT scanner with an in-plane resolution of 0.31 mm and slice thickness of 2 mm. The results show that diffusivities decrease with increasing clay weight fraction. The degree of the diffusivity decrease was high for cations (Cs(+) and Sr(2+)) and low for anions (I(-) and Br(-)). The quantitative decomposition of the contribution of the geometrical tortuosity and of the sorption to the diffusivity was performed by subtracting the diffusivity of nonsorbing I(-) from the measured diffusivities. The results show that the contribution of the sorption is large for Cs(+), Sr(2+) and small for Br(-). Because X-ray CT allows nondestructive and quick measurements of diffusivities, the technique would be useful particularly for measuring the diffusive migration of harmful radioactive elements.     

Hydrochemical modelling of the retention and transport of metallic radionuclides in the soils of an upland catchment

The CHemistry of the Uplands Model (CHUM) describes the transport of chemicals through upland catchments with acid, organic-rich soils, by a combination of sub-models for equilibrium soil chemistry, hydrology, weathering, and nitrogen cycling. CHUM was used to simulate the retention and transport of metallic radionuclides (Co, Sr, Cs, UO(2), U(IV), Th, Am), in the soils of a small catchment in Cumbria, UK, for 2 years after their atmospheric deposition in a single hypothetical precipitation event. Export of radionuclides to streamwater is calculated to occur most readily following deposition of the dissolved elements at high water saturation of the catchment, when little incoming rainwater is required to make up the small moisture deficit of the organic surface horizon, and solutes can move to greater depths in the soil profile. Deposition when the catchment is drier, or of particulate radionuclides, leads to stronger retention. Radionuclide retention or transport depends on the strength of chemical interaction with the solid phases of the different soil horizons; this varies among the elements, and also with oxidation state, U(IV) species being more strongly retained than UO(2). For purely organic soils, the least strongly retained radionuclide is Cs, but the presence in the mineral soil horizon of small amounts of clay mineral with high selectivity towards Cs can markedly increase with high selectivity towards Cs can markedly increase its retention. For the actinides, binding by dissolved organic matter is important; for example, the rate of transport of Th to the stream is increased by more than two orders of magnitude by complexation with dissolved fulvic acid. The model assumptions suggest that, in the longer term, losses from the catchment of Co, Sr and Cs would take place on a time-scale of decades, whereas the actinides would be much more persistent.     

Utilization of Modified Attapulgite for the Removal of Sr(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) Ions from Multicomponent System,Part I: Kinetic Studies

Radionuclide sorption by natural and modified clays is extensively accepted to be an important process from the radioactive waste point of view. This work focused on modification of natural attapulgite with a layered double hydroxide to produce a novel chemisorbent for Sr2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ removal from multicomponent solution. The structural and surface characteristics of both attapulgite (ATP) and modified attapulgite (LDH-ATP) were investigated using XRD, FTIR, SEM, and thermal analysis. Comparison of sorption features of Sr2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ onto ATP and LDH-ATP was achieved; the results indicated that LDH-ATP was the most efficient sorbent for Sr2+, Ni2+, and Co2+. Kinetic studies established that the sorption is fast and reaching >90% within 30 min. The sorption of Sr2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ are well defined by non-linear pseudo-second-order model and controlled by an intra-particle diffusion mechanism. The diffusivity was determined using homogeneous surface diffusion (HSDM) model and found in the order 10−13 m2/min; this confirmed that the sorption of the three ions is chemisorption process. LDH-ATP can be employed as a candidate chemisorbent for the removal of some metal ions from waste solution.     

Specific accumulation of cadmium and other trace elements in Sarcodon imbricatus using ICP-MS with a chemometric approach

Fungi can effectively accumulate various metallic elements, metalloids and non-metals in fruiting bodies. This study provides information on the accumulation of Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Cr, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, Tl, U and Zn in the edible mushroom Sarcodon imbricatus (L.) P. Karst. using the technique of inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry with a dynamic reaction cell mode. Mushrooms were foraged from four regions in Poland. Baseline concentrations of minerals, expressed in mg kg^?1 dry biomass (db), were in the composite samples of caps in the range: for Ag (0.27–0.29), As (1.0–1.9), Ba (0.31–0.45), Cd (4.5–6.3), Co (0.23–1.9), Cu (28–35), Cr (0.19–0.29), Cs (20–38), Li (0.013–0.020), Mn (5.9–8.8), Ni (0.81–1.4), Pb (0.94–1.6), Rb (490–700), Sr (0.14–0.19), Tl (0.058–0.11), U (0.002–0.002), V (0.044–0.054) and Zn (140–160). Concentration levels of Ag, As, Cd, Cs, Pb and Zn were higher in caps than in stipes of S. imbricatus, whereas for other elements the distribution between caps and stipes was nearly equal or for some differed depending on the location. Certainly, the content of toxic Cd in S. imbricatus was elevated (0.45–0.63 mg kg^?1 in fresh caps) and therefore eating this mushroom could increase exposure to Cd. In addition, the content of toxic As in S. imbricatus was elevated.     

Retardation capacity of organophilic bentonite for anionic fission products

Sorption and diffusivity of iodide and pertechnetate (I- and TcO4-) on MX-80 bentonite with different hexadecylpyridinium (HDPy+) loadings were studied using equilibrium solutions of different ionic strengths. In HDPy(+)-modified bentonite, iodide and pertechnetate ions exhibited increasing sorption (characterized by the distribution ratio, Rd), while Cs+ and Sr2+ showed decreasing sorption with increasing organophilicity. In case of medium-loading levels, the simultaneous sorption of anions (I- and TcO4-) and cations (Cs+ and Sr2+) was observed. Sorption of ions was influenced by the composition of the electrolytes employed. It decreased gradually with increasing ionic strength of the electrolyte solutions. The experiments revealed the general tendency that the diffusivity (Da [cm2.s-1]) for iodide and pertechnetate decreases with increasing organophilicity and increases with increasing ionic strength of the equilibrium solutions, confirming the results of the sorption experiments. Additionally, some mineralogical and chemical investigations, like IR spectral analysis of the organo-bentonite samples and exchange behavior of HDPy+, were performed. On the basis of these analyses, it was concluded that the alkylammonium ions are sorbed as (1) HDPy+ cations, (2) HDPyCl molecules and (3) micelles with decreasing binding intensities in this order.     

Elemental concentrations in different species of seaweeds from Loreto Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico: implications for the geochemical control of metals in algal tissue

Concentration levels of 21 elements were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (Rb, Cs, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Se, As, Sb, Th, U, Br, Hf, Ta, Zr, and Ag) in seven different seaweed species (Codium cuneatum, Sargassum sinicola, Padina durvillaei, Laurencia johnstonii, L. papillosa, Gracilaria pachidermatica and Hypnea pannosa), collected in a shallow coastal zone from Bahia de Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Measured concentrations in algal tissue spanned almost eight orders of magnitude (from 2.0 x 10(-3) microg g(-1) for Hf to 1.2 x 10(5) microg g(-1) for Ca). Ca was consistently the most abundant element in all analyzed seaweeds, followed by Fe and Sr. Brown algae showed a tendency to incorporate higher concentrations of elements than red and green algae. Additionally, there were significant linear correlations (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) between a total of 76 different pairs of elements, some of them (e.g. Rb-Ni, Rb-Ag, Sc Cr, Sc-Fe, Sc Ni, Sc Hf, Cr Fe, Fe Ni, Fe-Hf and Ni-Th) highly correlated (r2 > 0.900). A significant correlation (r2 = 0.701, n = 18, P < 0.001) exists between our measurements in the tissue of algae and their corresponding average elemental concentrations in oceanic water from the North Pacific Ocean. Hence, overall elemental abundance in algal tissue apparently is controlled by the elemental abundance in oceanic water, whereas metabolic processes as well as environmental factors relevant to each region modify the final concentration of a given element in the body of a macroalgae.     

Solute transport properties of compacted Ca-bentonite used in FEBEX project

The present Spanish concept of a deep geological high level waste repository includes an engineered clay barrier around the canister. The clay presents a very high sorption capability for radionuclides and a very small hydraulic conductivity, so that the migration process of solutes is limited by sorption and diffusion processes. Therefore, diffusion and distribution coefficients in compacted bentonite (i.e. in "realistic" liquid to solid ratio conditions) are the main parameters that have to be obtained in order to characterise solute transport that could be produced after the canister breakdown. Through-Diffusion (TD) and In-Diffusion (ID) experiments with HTO, Sr, Cs and Se were carried out using compacted FEBEX bentonite, which is the reference material for the Spanish concept of radioactive waste disposal. Experiments were interpreted by means of available analytical solutions that allow the estimation of diffusion coefficients and, in some cases, distribution coefficients. Analytical solutions are simple to use, but rely on hypotheses that do not hold in all the experiments. These experiments were interpreted also using an automatic parameter estimation code that overcomes the limitations of analytical solutions. Numerical interpretation allows the simultaneous estimation of porosity, diffusion and distribution coefficients, accounts for the role of porous sinters and time-varying boundary concentrations, and can use different types of raw concentration data.     

Role of magnetite and humic acid in radionuclide migration in the environment

Sorption of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, ¹⁵⁴Eu and ¹⁴¹Ce by magnetite has been studied at varying pH (4 to 11) in the presence and absence of humic acid. The sorption studies have also been carried out at varying ionic strength (0.01 to 0.2 M NaClO₄) and humic acid concentration (2 to 20 mg/L). Percentage sorption of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr was found to be pH dependent, with the sorption increasing with increasing pH of the suspension. At any pH, the percentage sorption of ⁹⁰Sr was higher than that of ¹³⁷Cs. The results have been explained in terms of the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged metal ions and the surface charge of the magnetite which becomes increasingly negative with increasing pH. On the other hand, ¹⁵⁴Eu and ¹⁴¹Ce were found to be strongly sorbed by the magnetite at all pH values, with the sorption being independent of pH. The strong sorption of trivalent and tetravalent metal ions suggests the role of complexation reactions during sorption, apart from the electrostatic interactions. However, in the case of ¹⁴¹Ce surface precipitation of Ce(III) formed by reduction of Ce(IV) in the presence of magnetite cannot be ruled out. Presence of humic acid (2 mg/L) was found to have negligible effect on sorption of all metal ions.     

A generalised sorption model for the concentration dependent uptake of caesium by argillaceous rocks

A three-site cation exchange model is proposed to describe the concentration dependent uptake of Cs on natural argillaceous rock systems. Major premises in the model are that the sorption of Cs is dominated by the illite mineral component in the rock and that there is a fixed relationship between the site capacities of the three site types denoted as frayed edge, type II and planar sites. The definition of a “reference illite” with a cation exchange capacity of 0.2 equiv. kg^-1 allows the three site capacities to be fixed in the model calculations over the weight fraction of illite in the argillaceous rocks. Up to Cs equilibrium concentrations of 10^-3 M sorption occurs predominantly on the frayed edge and type II sites (higher affinity sites), with the planar site type playing only a minor role. Competition with Cs for sorption on the former two site types arises predominantly from monovalent cations such as K, Rb and NH₄ which have low hydration energies. H and Na (except at high concentrations) are considerably less competitive and bivalent cations such as Mg, Ca and Sr are effectively non-competitive. A consistent set of selectivity coefficients for Cs with respect to K, Rb, NH₄ and Na was derived from analyses and modelling of a wide range of Cs sorption data available in the open literature on pure illites from many different sources. The model was tested against four Cs sorption isotherm data sets determined on argillaceous rocks: Boom clay, Oxford clay, Palfris marl and Opalinus clay. The water chemistries and illite contents given in these experiments allowed the Cs sorption isotherms to be predicted. It is concluded that the Cs sorption model presented here, in which there are no free parameters, can be used to predict the uptake of Cs at equilibrium concentrations below 10^-3 M to within a factor of 2 to 3 in natural argillaceous rock systems.     

Plant uptake of radionuclides in lysimeter experiments

The results of seven years lysimeter experiments to determine the uptake of 60Co, 137Cs and 226Ra into agricultural crops (endive, maize, wheat, mustard, sugarbeet, potato, Faba bean, rye grass) are described. The lysimeter consists of twelve monolithic soil profiles (four soil types and three replicates) and is located in Seibersdorf/Austria, a region with a pannonian climate (pronounced differences between hot and semi-arid summers and humid winter conditions, annual mean of precipitation: 517 mm, mean annual temperature: 9.8 degrees C). Besides soil-to-plant transfer factors (TF), fluxes were calculated taking into account biomass production and growth time. Total median values of TF's (dry matter basis) for the three radionuclides decreased from 226Ra (0.068 kg kg(-1)) to 137Cs (0.043 kg kg(-1)) and 60Co (0.018 kg kg(-1)); flux values exhibited the same ranking. The varying physical and chemical properties of the four experimental soils resulted in statistically significant differences in transfer factors or fluxes between the investigated soils for 137Cs and 226Ra, but not for 60Co. Differences in transfer between plant species and plant parts are distinct, with graminaceous species showing, on average, TF values 5.8 and 15 times lower than dicotyledonous species for 137Cs and 60Co, respectively. This pattern was not found for 226Ra. It can be concluded that 137Cs transfer is heavily influenced by soil characteristics, whilst the plant-specific factors are the main source of TF variability for 60Co. The variability of 226Ra transfer originates both from soil properties and plant species behaviour.     

Validation of isotope signatures in sediments affected by anthropogenic inputs from uranium series radionuclides

This paper aims to show the usefulness of 226Ra/228Ra activity ratios and confirm the possibility of using 230Th/232Th activity ratios as chronological markers in sediment cores from an estuarine system strongly contaminated by discharges from non-nuclear industries (fertiliser plants). The validation was carried out using an independent, well-established dating technique based on the analysis of the 137Cs fallout profile, which comprises the same time interval as that covered by both isotope ratios. The advantage of using the 226Ra/228Ra activity ratio profile instead of the Th-isotope profile is that determination can be accomplished with a non-destructive, simpler and less time-consuming technique, because both Ra isotopes can be determined by gamma-ray spectrometry.     

Translocation studies of 137Cs and 90Sr in bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris): simulation of fallout

In case of an accident at a nuclear power plant with liberation of radioactive material into the atmosphere, knowledge about the behavior of plant species when in contact with radionuclides is indispensable for safety reasons. The leaf-fruit translocation is an important route through which agricultural products are contaminated by radionuclides. To quantify the leaf-fruit translocation factors for 137Cs and 90Sr in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) an experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with a randomized block design. 137Cs activity was determined by gamma-ray spectrometry, while chemical separation followed by beta counting of 90Y was used for 90Sr determination. The model applied for translocation indicated functional dependence between the moment of tracer application and the physiological development of the bean plant. Translocation factors obtained for 137Cs and 90Sr were 0.16 and less than 0.005, respectively.     

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.     

Radioactivity and heavy metal concentrations of some commercial fish species consumed in the Black Sea Region of Turkey

Marine fish is an important daily diet item for the people of Turkey. The Black Sea Region of Turkey was contaminated by the Chernobyl accident in 1986, a comprehensive study was planned and carried out to determine the radioactivity levels (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs) and heavy metal concentrations (As, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu and Pb) in four of the most common fish species: Engraulis encrasicholus (anchovy), Oncorhynchus mykiss (trout), Trachurus mediterranus (bluefin) and Merlangius merlangus (whiting) samples collected from eight stations in the Black Sea Region of Turkey during 2010. The dose due to consumption of fish by the public was estimated and it was shown that this dose imposes no threat to human healthy. The concentrations of heavy metal are below the daily intake recommended by the international organizations.     

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.