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Radionuclide Monitoring Study
In 1990, the National Status and Trends (NS&T) Program monitored radionuclide contaminant concentrations in oyster and mussel tissues in U.S. coastal waters. Most of the 36 nearshore sites were those sampled by EPA's Mussel Watch Program of the 1970’s. In addition, some were located in the vicinity of nuclear facilities.
These studies revealed radioactive products [110 Ag, 90 Sr, 65 Zn, and 58+60 cobalt (Co)] are sometimes present at low levels close to nuclear facilities, but at low levels.
When NS&T results were compared with those of EPA's earlier Mussel Watch Program, the analysis generally showed a statistically significant decrease in most radionuclide concentrations between the mid-1970's and the early 1990's. Elevated levels of americium and cesium along West Coast shores are most likely due to upwelling of radionuclide-enhanced deeper waters.
Project Partners
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Office of Naval Research
Further information about this study can be
obtained from:
Hameedi, M. J., D. W. Efurd, T. M. O'Hara, A. Robertson, and L. K. Thorsteinson.
1997. Radionuclides in animals of subsistence and ecological value in the United
States Arctic 58-60 . In: Extended abstracts, The Third International Conference
on Environmental Radioactivity in the Arctic , Tromso , Norway . 280 pp.
Valette-Silver , N.J. and G.G. Lauenstein. 1995. Radionuclide concentrations in bivalves collected along the coastal United States. Mar. Poll.Bull. 30(5): 320-331.