Transfer Factors of 137Cs and 85Sr by Freshwater Fish in Tropical Environment

The experiment was set up to determine the radionuclide transfer factors (T.F.) of 137Cs and 85Sr by tropical freshwater fish. Mixed breeding catfish between Thai catfish (Clarias acrocephalus) and African catfish (Clarias garispinus African sharptooth) were exposed to 137Cs and 85Sr in two 1000-L tanks for 42 days during uptake phase. The calculated T.F. at equilibrium, in flesh, bone, skin plus fin and head were 3.2, 2.6, 1.6 and 1.5 L.kg-1 for 137Cs and 0.1, 4, 1 and 17 L.kg-1 for 90Sr, respectively. These results revealed a much lower values than reported elsewhere for temperate environment, however were in accordance with the tropical values as observed by others. The biological half-lives of 137Cs and 85Sr in flesh part were 41 and 4 days respectively. It is then imperative that suitable T.F. values are employed in the models to predict the transport of radionuclides within the particular ecosystem and the potential dose to man. Thus the relationship between routine release of radionuclides and resulting dose to man can be established and corresponding release limits stipulated for that particular nuclear site