Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/7476
Appears in Collections:Biological and Environmental Sciences Journal Articles
Peer Review Status: Refereed
Title: Background exposure rates of terrestrial wildlife in England and Wales
Author(s): Beresford, Nicholas A
Barnett, Catherine L
Jones, David Gwyn
Wood, Michael D
Appleton, J Don
Breward, Neil
Copplestone, David
Contact Email: david.copplestone@stir.ac.uk
Keywords: terrestrial biota
ERICA
K-40
U-238 series
Th-232 series
reference animals and plants
Issue Date: Sep-2008
Date Deposited: 10-Aug-2012
Citation: Beresford NA, Barnett CL, Jones DG, Wood MD, Appleton JD, Breward N & Copplestone D (2008) Background exposure rates of terrestrial wildlife in England and Wales. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 99 (9), pp. 1430-1439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2008.03.003
Abstract: It has been suggested that, when assessing radiation impacts on non-human biota, estimated dose rates due to anthropogenically released radionuclides should be put in context by comparison to dose rates from natural background radiation. In order to make these comparisons, we need data on the activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in environmental media and organisms of interest. This paper presents the results of a study to determine the exposure of terrestrial organisms in England and Wales to naturally occurring radionuclides, specifically 40K, 238U series and 232Th series radionuclides. Whole-body activity concentrations for the reference animals and plants (RAPs) as proposed by the ICRP have been collated from literature review, data archives and a targeted sampling campaign. Data specifically for the proposed RAP are sparse. Soil activity concentrations have been derived from an extensive geochemical survey of the UK. Unweighted and weighted absorbed dose rates were estimated using the ERICA Tool. Mean total weighted whole-body absorbed dose rates estimated for the selected terrestrial organisms was in the range 6.9 × 10−2 to 6.1 × 10−1 μGy h−1.
DOI Link: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2008.03.003
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