Snail as a biological indicator of radioactive contamination of the environment

Based on the examination of foods following the Chernobyl accident, the feasibility of employing the garden snail (Helix pomatia) as a biological indicator of radioactive contamination of the environment was examined. The radionuclides studied were uranium fission products. It is concluded that this animal can serve as a biological indicator of contamination, e.g. in the surroundings of nuclear power plants. At a contamination as low as units of kBq/m2, the snail is capable of retaining the majority of the characteristic fission products for a minimum of two months. The retention curves, retention factors, biological halflives and distribution of 137Cs, 85Sr, 106Ru and 133Ba were measured. (author). 7 figs., 3 tabs., 3 refs