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Environmental Radioactivity – Physiology of Metal Uptake

Metals are ubiquitous in the environment. Non-essential metals (radium, uranium or lead) have been shown to be accumulated in mistake for calcium (Ca) in freshwater biota, such as water lilies, freshwater bivalves and crocodiles. The metal/Ca ratio has been shown to be useful for discerning pollution effects on natural populations of animals.

The Radioecology Group in ANSTO Environment has the capability of measuring metal/Ca ratios in biological tissue and water using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS), Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), ion beam analysis, gamma spectroscopy or scintillation counting. In the past they have used mussels as rapid, real-time indicators of uranium mine contamination; analysed the kinetics of radionuclides in fish, particularly ⁶⁴Cu, ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁵Sr; tested the hypothesis that the loss rate of metal/radionuclide from the soft tissue of bivalves is inversely related to the solubility of metal-phosphate; and determined that constantly elevated lead (Pb) levels detected using SIMS in the bones of estuarine crocodiles from Kakadu National Park  is a result of lead ammunition used by traditional Aboriginal owners to hunt magpie geese.

Research projects utilising the radionuclide/metal uptake capabilities:

• Sulfide Solutions Research
• Radionuclide Environmental Pathways

For more information contact:

Scott Markich
E-mail

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Document Details. Original web document. Author and Contact ANSTO Environment.