Accumulation of 210Po in Baltic invertebrates

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the 210Po contents of Baltic marine invertebrates. The 210Po concentrations fall within the range 11.3-78.9 Bq kg-1 (dry wt), the higher values relating to polychaeta, priapulida and malacostraca and the lower levels to bivalvia. It is demonstrated that 210Po is non-uniformly distributed within the isopod Mesidotea entomon and the bivalve Mya arenaria. The 210Po contents of the internal organs decreasing in the order-hepatopancreas > alimentary tract > gill > muscle. Moreover, the results indicate the dominant role of the digestive organs of these invertebrates in controlling absorption and elimination of 210Po. (author)