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Transfer of elements to owls (Tyto Alba, Strix Aluco) determined using neutron activation and gamma analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 January 2012

J. Barescut ,
D. Lariviere ,
T. Stocki ,
C.L. Barnett ,
B.J. Howard ,
D.H. Oughton ,
C. Coutris ,
E.D. Potter ,
T. Franklin  and
L.A. Walker
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C.L. Barnett
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
B.J. Howard
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
D.H. Oughton
Affiliation:
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432, Ås. Norway
C. Coutris
Affiliation:
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432, Ås. Norway
E.D. Potter
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
T. Franklin
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
L.A. Walker
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
C. Wells
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
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Abstract

The IAEA is currently preparing a new Technical Reports Series (TRS) Handbook on the Transfer of Radionuclides to Wildlife. Key deficiencies have been identified and one is the lack of data for birds. In this study we measured the transfer of a range of elements measured by neutron activation analysis (NAA) and gamma analysis in four Barn owls (Tyto alba) and one Tawny owl (Strix aluco) from archived samples available from the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme, http://pbms.ceh.ac.uk. Transfer was quantified as the whole organism concentration ratio (CRwo-soil) and values for Co, Fe, Rb, Sc, Zn and 137Cs are presented. The work demonstrates the potential for existing sample archives to be exploited for radioecological purposes. They represent a cost effective means to derive CRwo-media values for organism-radionuclide combinations relevant to radiological assessments without the requirement of field sampling.

Type
Research Article
Information
Radioprotection , Volume 46 , Issue 6: ICRER 2011 – International Conference on Radioecology & Environmental Radioactivity: Environment & Nuclear Renaissance , 2011 , pp. S79 - S84
Copyright
© Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2011

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References

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