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

Highlights: • The first comprehensive study regarding radioactivity in Turkish marine environment. • Assessment of several radionuclides in mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. • Estimation of possible risks due to 210Po for public health. • Using active and passive biomonitoring for determination of radioactivity. • Comparing the results with previous studies from Turkey and other countries. - Abstract: 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