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6778876 
Journal Article 
Radionuclides in marine mammals off the Portuguese coast 
Malta, M; Carvalho, FP; , 
2011 
Yes 
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
ISSN: 0265-931X
EISSN: 1879-1700 
ELSEVIER SCI LTD 
OXFORD 
102 
5 
473-478 
English 
21496976 
WOS:000291287100009 
Radionuclide analyses were performed in tissue samples including muscle, gonad, liver, mammary gland, and bone of marine mammals stranded on the Portuguese west coast during January-July 2006. Tissues were collected from seven dolphins (Delphinus delphis and Stenella coeruleoalba) and one pilot whale (Globicephala sp.). Samples were analyzed for Po-210 and Pb-210 by alpha spectrometry and for Cs-137 and K-40 by gamma spectrometry. Po-210 concentrations in common dolphin's muscle (D. delphis) averaged 56 +/- 32 Bq kg(-1) wet weight (w.w.), while Pb-210 averaged 0.17 +/- 0.07 Bq kg(-1) w.w., Cs-137 averaged 0.29 +/- 0.28 Bq kg(-1) w.w., and K-40 129 +/- 48 Bq kg(-1) w.w. Absorbed radiation doses due to these radionuclides for the internal organs of common dolphins were computed and attained a 1.50 mu Gy h(-1) on a whole body basis. Po-210 was the main contributor to the weighted absorbed dose, accounting for 97% of the dose from internally accumulated radionuclides. These computed radiation doses in dolphins are compared to radiation doses from Po-210 and other radionuclides reported for human tissues. Due to the high Po-210 activity concentration in dolphins, the internal radiation dose in these marine mammals is about three orders of magnitude higher than in man. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 
International Topical Conference on Po and Radioactive Pb Isotopes 
Seville, SPAIN