Murat Belivermiş

Radioactivity concentrations in topsoil samples from the Thrace region of Turkey and assessment of radiological hazard

The activity concentrations of gamma emitting radionuclides were measured in surface soil samples from the Thrace region. 232Th, 238U, 226Ra, 40K and 137Cs activities and physico-chemical parameters of the soil samples were determined in samples collected from 73 sampling stations. Radionuclide concentrations measured were compared with those found in the samples from other locations of Turkey and from different countries. The average activity concentrations of 232Th, 238U, 226Ra, 40K and 137Cs were found to be 24.71 ± 8.79, 22.30 ± 7.93, 32.09±12.44, 509.00±160.05, 32.74±29.24 Bq kg−1, respectively. The mean value of the annual effective dose equivalent from the outdoor terrestrial gamma radiation was calculated as 57.2 μ Sv.

Assessment of metal concentrations in indigenous and caged mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) on entire Turkish coastline.

This survey was conducted to determine metal concentrations in the biomonitor organism Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from all coasts of Turkey. Naturally-occurring mussels were gathered along the coast of the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus and Aegean Sea, while a 6-month transplantation session was implemented on the Levantine Sea coast where M. galloprovincialis does not adapt naturally. Mussels collected from the Izmir area were employed for transplantation to five locations along the Levantine Sea coast of Turkey. Concentrations of Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, V, and Zn were measured using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry). Results showed that concentrations of some essential elements (Co, Fe, K, Mn, Zn) generally fell within the range of acceptable global values. However, at some sampling sites the metal concentrations were found at higher levels compared to the world average and recommended limits. For instance, very high Ag and Cu concentrations were observed in mussel caged at Yumurtalık. Elevated As, Ni, Pb, and V concentrations were observed at the Tirebolu, Ereğli, Eskihisar, and Tekirdağ locations, respectively. Taking into account all measured metals, it can be inferred that Yumurtalık is the most metal-contaminated locality. The results highlighted metal-specific pollution at coastal areas in each sea cover Turkey. In spite of the high metal levels estimated daily intakes (EDI) of the measured elements were well below through very low mussel consumption by Turkish public.

Radioactivity concentrations in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) of Turkish Sea coast and contribution of 210Po to the radiation dose

Radionuclides levels were determined in indigenous and transplanted mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected from Turkish marine environment. Radioactivity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb were determined in the soft tissues of the mussel samples collected in Bosphorus Strait, Coasts of Black Sea, Marmara Sea and Aegean Sea. Mussel transplantation was carried out by using mussel cages in Levantine Sea coast since M. galloprovincialis did not naturally adapt along the coast. The average activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in the coastline of Turkey were found to be 0.7±0.1, 469±24, 0.9±0.1, 1.0±0.1, 122±4 and 10.9±0.9 Bq kg⁻¹ in dry weight (dw), respectively. The average of ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb ratio was found to be ∼14. Total annual effective ²¹⁰Po dose was calculated to be in the range of 0.25-3.30 μSv due to mussel consumption. Radioactivity and dose levels were compared with those of similar studies carried out in Mediterranean countries.

232Th, 238U, 40K, 137Cs radioactivity concentrations and 137Cs dose rate in Turkish market tea

In this study, the activity concentrations of 232Th, 238U, 40K and 137Cs were measured in 10 branded tea samples from local Turkish markets using gamma spectrometry with an HPGe detector. The mean activity concentrations of 232Th, 238U, 40K and 137Cs were found to be 2.7 ± 1.0, 0.9 ± 0.4, 501 ± 42 and 45.04 ± 2.6 Bq kg−1, respectively. The average annual effective 137Cs dose as a consequence of tea consumption was found to be 385 nSv for an adult person, which is not hazardous to public health. The correlation coefficient between 137Cs and 40K was found to be−0.82 in these samples. The present data were compared with those found in other studies.

Natural and artificial radionuclide activity concentrations in surface sediments of Izmit Bay, Turkey.

Surface sediments from the north-eastern coast of the Marmara Sea, Turkeys most industrialized coastal region, were enriched with radioisotopes from the Chernobyl explosion in 1986. Caesium-137 in these sediments is also thought to originate from one former paper mill located nearby that used wood contaminated by Chernobyl explosion-originated (137)Cs for paper production. The average activity concentration of the (137)Cs was 21 Bq kg(-1), while naturally occurring radioisotopes, i.e. (40)K, (226)Ra, and (228)Ra, were 568, 18 and 24 Bq kg(-1), respectively, in surface sediments. The natural radionuclide activities reached their highest levels near petrochemical, phosphate and fertilizer processing facilities. Average (137)Cs activities were generally up to ten times higher than in Middle Eastern marine sediments and lower than those in Northern European sediments.

Radioactivity measurements in moss (Hypnum cupressiforme) and lichen (Cladonia rangiformis) samples collected from Marmara region of Turkey

The present study was conducted to compare the (137)Cs, (40)K, (232)Th, and (238)U activity concentrations in epigeic moss (Hypnum cupressiforme) and lichen (Cladonia rangiformis). The activity levels in 37 moss and 38 lichen samples collected from the Marmara region of Turkey were measured using a gamma spectrometer equipped with a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (40)K, (232)Th, and (238)U in the moss samples were found to be in the range of 0.36-8.13, 17.1-181.1, 1.51-6.17, and 0.87-6.70 Bq kg(-1) respectively, while these values were below detection limit (BDL)-4.32, 16.6-240.0, 1.32-6.47, and BDL-3.57 Bq kg(-1) respectively in lichen. The average moss/lichen activity ratios of (137)Cs, (40)K, (232)Th, and (238)U were found to be 1.32 +/- 0.57, 2.79 +/- 1.67, 2.11 +/- 0.82, and 2.19 +/- 1.02, respectively. Very low (137)Cs concentrations were observed in moss and lichen samples compared to soil samples collected from the same locations in a previous study. Seasonal variations of the measured radionuclide activities were also examined in the three sampling stations.

The usability of tree barks as long term biomonitors of atmospheric radionuclide deposition

In view of the lower radionuclide activities of moss and lichen, tree barks can be used as biomonitors of radioactive contamination, regardless of the contribution of soil uptake. The present study was conducted to determine the activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (40)K, (232)Th and (238)U in the barks of pine (Pinus nigra) and oak (Quercus petraea) trees collected from the Thrace region in Turkey. By considering the previous studies carried out in the same region, it is noticed that among lichen, moss, oak bark and pine bark, oak bark is the best accumulator of (137)Cs and natural radionuclides.

Radioactivity levels in mussels and sediments of the Golden Horn by the Bosphorus Strait, Marmara Sea

The Golden Horn is an estuary located in the center of İstanbul receiving freshwater discharges from two creeks and connecting to the Bosphorus Strait. Activity concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides were determined in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and sediments from the Golden Horn sampled in February 2012. Mean activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (40)K, (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (210)Po and (210)Pb in the mussels were determined at 1.03±0.23, 389±41.6, 2.61±1.23, not detected (ND), 91.96±37.88 and 11.48±4.85 Bq kg(-1), respectively. In sediments, it was observed that (137)Cs, (40)K, (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (210)Po and (210)Pb activity concentrations in<63 μm particle fraction of sediment were generally higher than those determined in mussels. Po-210 and (210)Po/(210)Pb ratios in mussels from the Golden Horn were much lower than in mussels from other coastal regions and this was related to low plankton productivity and eutrophication of the Golden Horn.

Acidified seawater increases accumulation of cobalt but not cesium in manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum

The pH of seawater around the world is expected to continue its decline in the near future in response to ocean acidification that is driven by heightened atmospheric CO2 emissions. Concomitantly, economically-important molluscs that live in coastal waters including estuaries and embayments, may be exposed to a wide assortment of contaminants, including trace metals and radionuclides. Seawater acidification may alter both the chemical speciation of select elements as well as the physiology of organisms, and may thus pose at risk to many shellfish species, including the manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. The bioconcentration efficiency of two common radionuclides associated with the nuclear fuel cycle, 134Cs and 57Co, were investigated by exposing live clams to dissolved 134Cs and 57Co at control (pH = 8.1) and two lowered pH (pH = 7.8 and 7.5) levels using controlled aquaria. The uptake and depuration kinetics of the two radionuclides in the whole-body clam were followed for 21 and 35 days, respectively. At steady-state equilibrium, the concentration factor (CFss) for 57Co increased as the pH decreased (i.e. 130 ± 5, 194 ± 6, and 258 ± 10 at pH levels 8.1, 7.8 and 7.5, respectively), whereas the 134Cs uptake was not influenced by a change in pH conditions. During depuration, the lowest depuration rate constant of 57Co by the manila clam was observed at the intermediate pH of 7.8. An increase in the accumulation of 57Co at the intermediate pH value was thought to be caused mainly by the aragonitic shell of the clam, as well as the low salinity and alkalinity of seawater used in the experiment. Considering that accumulation consists of uptake and depuration, among the three pH conditions moderately acidified seawater enhanced most the accumulation of 57Co. Accumulation of 134Cs was not strongly influenced by a reduced pH condition, as represented by an analogous uptake constant rate and CFss in each treatment. Such results suggest that future seawater pH values that are projected to be lower in the next decades, may pose a risk for calcium-bearing organisms such as shellfish.

Effects of ocean acidification on 109Cd, 57Co, and 134Cs bioconcentration by the European oyster (Ostrea edulis): Biokinetics and tissue-to-subcellular partitioning

The uptake and depuration kinetics of dissolved 109Cd, 57Co and 134Cs were determined experimentally in the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis (Linnaeus, 1758) under different pH conditions (i.e., 8.1, 7.8 and 7.5) for 59 days. Uptake and depuration rates were variable within these elements; no effects were observed under different pH conditions for the uptake biokinetics of 109Cd and 57Co and depuration of 109Cd and 134Cs in oyster. The uptake and depuration rate constants of 134Cs differed during the exposure phase between treatments, while the steady state concentration factors (CFss) were similar. The resulting Cs activity that was purged during short- and long-term depuration phases differed, while the remaining activities after thirty-nine days depuration phase (RA39d) were similar. Co-57 depuration was affected by pCO2 conditions: RA39d were found to be significantly higher in oysters reared in normocapnia (pCO2 = 350 μatm) compared to high pCO2 conditions. Co-57 tissue distribution did not differ among the variable pCO2 conditions, while 109Cd and 134Cs accumulated in soft tissue of oysters were found to be higher under the highest pCO2. Additionally, Cd, Co and Cs were stored differently in various compartments of the oyster cells, i.e. cellular debris, metal-rich granules (MRG) and metallothionein-like proteins (MTLP), respectively. The subcellular sequestration of the elements at the end of the depuration phase did not differ among pH treatments. These results suggest that bioconcentration and tissue/subcellular distribution are element-specific in the oyster, and the effects of higher pCO2 driven acidification and/or coastal acidification variably influence these processes.