The fish/water accumulation factor - an important parameter for determining the environmental capacity of surface waters

The fish/water accumulation factors are important parameters in determining the receiving capacity of surface waters and the maximum permissible concentration of 137Cs in waters used for fishing. In addition, through the pathway water-fish-man, it is possible to evaluate the body burden of man resulting from the 137Cs concentration in waters. For the present work, the 137Cs accumulation factors were determined in certain species of fish from five waters in the German Democratic Republic. Equations are given for determining the reception capacity of waters and the body burden from the 137Cs contamination of water through the ecological chain water-fish-man. Using the experimentally determined accumulation factors, the authors evaluate the body burdens of the individual members of the public and the whole population resulting from the 137Cs contamination of water through this critical pathway. It is concluded that fish production in the contaminated cooling water of nuclear power plants is possible without reservations. (author)