BIOACCUMULATION OF 40K IN DIFFERENT FISH SPECIES OF RIVER ECOSYSTEMS OF ZHYTOMYR POLISSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/1998-6475.2025.58.5Keywords:
radioecology, 40K, bioaccumulation, freshwater fish, Zdvyzh River, radionuclidesAbstract
The article presents the results of a comprehensive study of bioaccumulation of the natural radionuclide 40K in tissues of four commercial fish species (silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, common carp Cyprinus carpio, crucian carp Carassius auratus, pike Esox lucius) caught in the Zdvyzh River of Zhytomyr region in January 2025.A comparative analysis of 40K concentration in different anatomical parts of fish – edible part (muscle tissue) and head with internal organs – was conducted. Measurement of specific activity of 40K was performed by gamma spectrometry using certified equipment according to international standards. It was established that the highest indicators of specific activity of 40K were recorded in predatory fish species – pike (156.00 Bq/kg in muscle tissue and 113.00 Bq/kg in head with internal organs), while in herbivorous and omnivorous species (silver carp, common carp) these indicators were significantly lower (85.80 and 62.90 Bq/kg in muscle tissue, respectively). A pattern of 0K concentration predominantly in muscle tissue compared to the head and internal organs was revealed for all studied fish species, which differs from the distribution pattern of technogenic radionuclides. The greatest difference in concentration between anatomical body parts was recorded in pike (38.1 %) and silver carp (43.5 %), while for common carp and crucian carp this difference was 17.1 % and 18.8 %, respectively. It has been demonstrated that, unlike technogenic radionuclides (137Cs, 90Sr), which typically accumulate in bone tissue and internal organs, 40K as a physiologically active element concentrates mainly in muscle tissue. Statistical analysis of the data confirms the species specificity of 40K accumulation, which is related to trophic specialization and metabolic characteristics of different fish species. The recorded levels of 40K content are within the regional background values for water bodies of Ukrainian Polissia. The obtained results are important for assessing the radioecological state of aquatic ecosystems in the long term after the Chornobyl accident and can be used for monitoring the quality of aquaticbioresources and developing recommendations for their safe use.
References
State Institution “Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute” (2015) Analiz radiatsiinoho stanu navkolyshnoho seredovyshcha terytorii Ukrainy [Analysis of the radiation state of the environment of the territory of Ukraine]. Naukovi pratsi, 53 (40), 87–92 (in Ukrainian).
DVORETSKYI, A., SAPRONOVA, V., BAI- DAK, L. MARENKOV, O. (2016) Radioecology of the Pridneprovie water ecosystems. Visnyk ZhNAU, 1(55), 283–290 (in Ukrainian).
MAKHINKO, R. H. (2024a) Kompleksni zakhody po vidnovlenniu vodoim Zhytomyrskoho Polissia pislia Chornobylskoi katastrofy [Comprehensive measures for the restoration of water bodies in Zhytomyr Polissia after the Chornobyl disaster]. Ekolohichni nauky, 3(54), 57–63. (in Ukrainian). DOI: 10.32846/2306-9716/2024. eco.3-54.7
MAKHINKO, R. (2024b) Long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems: A retrospective analysis and prognosis. Ecological Safety and Balanced Use of Resources, 15(2), 58–67. DOI: 10.69628/esbur/2.2024.58
United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. (2022) Sources, effects and risks of ionizing radiation. UNSCEAR 2020/2021 report (Vol. 2). New York: United Nations Publications. Available from: https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/v22/035/31/pdf/v2203531.pdf
KONG, S., YANG, B., TUO, F., LU, T. (2022) Advance on monitoring of radioactivity in food in China and Japan after Fukushima nuclear accident. Radiation Medicine and Protection, 3(1), 37–42. DOI: 10.1016/j.radmp.2022.01.006
MARENKOV, О. М., DVORETSKIY, A. I., BILO- KON, G. S. (2010) Radionuclides contamination of industrial types of fisiiess of Dnieper reservoir. Scientific Notes of Ternopil National Pedagogical University. Series: Biology, 2(43), 338–341 (in Ukrainian).
Ministry of Health of Ukraine (1997) Norms of radiation safety of Ukraine. Kyiv: Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Available from: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/rada/show/ v0062282-97#Text (accessed: 20.04.2025).
State Nuclear Regulatory Committee of Ukraine (2005) National report on compliance with the obligations under the joint convention on the safety of spent fuel management and on the safety of radioactive waste management. Kyiv : State Nuclear Regulatory Committee of Ukraine. Available from: https://snriu.gov.ua/storage/app/sites/1/docs/Annual%20Reports/ National%20Reports%20JC/JC_2005.pdf
State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management (2023) Archival materials on the state of aquatic ecosystems in the Chornobyl exclusion zone. Kyiv : State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management. Available from: https://dazv.gov.ua/ (accessed: 20.04.2025).
