Plankton as an indicator of the temporal variation of the Chernobyl fallout

Title: Plankton as an indicator of the temporal variation of the Chernobyl fallout

Author: O. Ravera, L. Giannoni

Reference: Science of The Total Environment, Volume 172, Issues 2–3, 30 November 1995, Pages 119-125

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(95)04821-9

Keywords: Plankton; Radionuclides; Chernobyl; Lake Monate, Italy; Lake Comabbio, Italy

Abstract: Here we describe the pattern of radionuclide activities (iodine-131; cesium-134; cesium-137; ruthenium-106) in net-plankton and water samples collected from two lakes in Northern Italy (Lake Monate and Lake Comabbio) during and after the presence in the area of the radioactive cloud from the Chernobyl accident: from 30 April to 3 September 1986. The results show that, because of its short lifespan, plankton is a good indicator of daily variations of environmental contamination. The contamination level of plankton depends on various factors, such as the speciation and biological role of the radionuclide, the community structure and chemical characteristics of the water.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0048969795048219