Radiation Protection Dosimetry Advance Access originally published online on February 18, 2008
Radiation Protection Dosimetry 2008 130(2):178-185; doi:10.1093/rpd/ncm499
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The changes in the contents of 137Cs in bottom sediments of some Masurian lakes during 10–15 y observation (Poland)
a1,*
ska1
1 Department of Biophysics, Medical University of Biaystok, Mickiewicza 2A, 15-089 Biaystok, Poland
2 Department of Public Health, Medical University of Biaystok, I Armii Wojska Polskiego 2/2, 15-103 Biaystok, Poland
3 Department of Statistics and Medical Informatics, Medical University of Biaystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-089 Biaystok, Poland
* Corresponding author: jkapala{at}amb.edu.pl
Received May 11, 2007, amended November 21, 2007, accepted December 26, 2007
The measurements of radioactive caesium contents in bottom sediments were carried out in four lakes. First samples (47) were taken in 1992–95. The repeat sampling (109) was performed from the same places in 2005. We examined eight chosen areas in these lakes. In six of them, we observed statistically significant differences in the level of radioactive caesium. It indicates the permanent decrease in the level of 137Cs. The mean annual decrease in the level of radioactive caesium, taking into consideration the radioactive decay, was from 4.2 to 7.8%. In two areas of the profundal zone, we did not observe statistically significant differences in the level of radioactive caesium (lakes Garbas and Rogale Wielkie). Taking into consideration the radioactive decay of caesium, it means about the appearance of the process of accumulation of 137Cs in these areas.