RETRACTED ARTICLE: Biomonitoring fallout 137Cs in resident and migratory fishes collected along the southern coast of India and assessment of dose

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment 2012-05, Vol.184 (5), p.2993-3011
• Main Authors: Khan, Mohan Feroz, Wesley, Samuel Godwin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2166-8

The globally distributed fallout radionuclide 137 Cs was monitored in 25 resident and 22 migratory fish species collected from some regions of west and east coast of southern India to establish a baseline data. The samples were collected during June 2008 to June 2009. Higher level of 137 Cs was noted in planktivorous fishes and lower level in herbivores. A significant variation in 137 Cs was observed between fishes with different feeding habits and different migratory pattern. Oceanodromic migratory fishes displayed higher cesium levels than other migratory types. Similarly, migratory fishes displayed higher 137 Cs concentration compared to resident fishes. The overall range of 137 Cs varied from 0.06 to 0.3 Bq/kg in fishes. The biological concentration varied from 55 to 250. The average external dose rate to fishes was calculated to be 2.7 × 10 −7  μGy/h, while the internal dose rate varied from 8.50 × 10 −6 to 5.27 × 10 −5  μGy/h. The hazard quotient for fishes was found to be less than 1. The average intake of 137 Cs via fishes to the public was calculated to be 3.5 Bq/year and subsequently the committed effective dose was 0.05 μSv/year. The data obtained were less than global average and comparable to those of many regions.