Evaluation of TENORM radionuclides and trace element levels by using seagrass

• Published in: Journal of coastal conservation 2023-12, Vol.27 (6), p.56, Article 56
• Main Authors: Akakçe, Nurdan, Görgün, Aysun Uğur, Kizilkaya, İnci Tüney, Camgöz, Berkay, Atay, Nevra Öztürk, Sert, İlker
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Biomonitoring; Chromium; Coastal ecology; Coastal Sciences; Coastal zone; Coastal zones; Earth and Environmental Science; Fluorescence; Geography; Iron; Manganese; Marine ecology; Marine environment; Nature Conservation; Oceanography; Polonium; Posidonia oceanica; Radioactive materials; Radioisotopes; Radionuclide kinetics; Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry; Sea grasses; Seagrasses; Spectrometry; Trace elements; Trace metals; X-ray fluorescence; Zinc
• ISSN: 1400-0350; 1874-7841
• DOI: 10.1007/s11852-023-00988-2

The effects of technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TENORM) on coastal zones were ecologically evaluated using Posidonia oceanica . Radionuclides and trace element levels were investigated in Posidonia oceanica to evaluate if seagrasses can be assessed as a biomarker for biomonitoring surveys. The radionuclide concentrations were determined using radiometric methods. Furthermore, trace element levels were obtained using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of 210 Po and 40 K were found to be 375.5 and 1.6 Bq/kg, respectively. The mean levels of trace elements of Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb and Cr were 1620, 183, 15.3, 7.9, 7.1, 2.8 and 67 ppm, respectively. The absorbed dose rates (D) of 210 Po and 40 K were calculated, with the average levels being 1.2 × 10 − 3 and 4.4 × 10 − 3 µGy/h, respectively. In marine ecology, P. oceanica can be a biomarker for detecting trace metals ( 40 K and 210 Po) and absorbed dose rates. The concentrations and sources of TENORM were evaluated in terms of ecological and industrial hazards to the marine environment.