Contamination of terrestrial gastropods Helix aspersa maxima with 137Cs, 85Sr, 133Ba and 123mTe by direct and trophic pathways

Contaminations of terrestrial gastropod Helix aspersa Maxima by direct deposition or labelled food ingestion of 137Cs, 85Sr, 133Ba and 123mTe were carried out in laboratory conditions. This study was performed to compare the two pathways of contamination: direct and trophic in terms of individual mortality and, radionuclide uptake, depuration and tissular distribution. A first group of 30 snails (2-year old) was exposed to radioactive aerosols during a twenty-hour period. These aerosols were supposed to be representative of those produced during a nuclear accident occurring on a PWR. A second group of 40 snails (same ages) was submitted to twice-a-week ingestion of food during 10 days (flour at a feeding rate of about 0,2 g) contaminated by these same aerosols. During the 21 days observation period, comparison among the two groups and a reference group (not contaminated by radionuclides) was performed. No significant difference between the three groups was observed neither on the growth nor on the mortality. One day after the deposit, the cesium was the most bioavailable element, distributed homogeneously within the whole body (from 15 to 25% of total Cs respectively in shell and muscle). The strontium accumulated in the shell (about 70%). The barium was found in the muscle (20%) and the shell (65%). Tellurium was mainly present in the shell (70%) and in digestive gland (20%), Later, this element was mostly present in faeces. As regards the contamination by ingestion, it was mainly accumulated in digestive gland. (author)