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Atmospheric Fallout Impact on 210Po and 210Pb Content in Wild Growing Mushrooms

Summary

This research investigated how radioactive elements from air pollution are absorbed by wild mushrooms. The study revealed that mushrooms growing in open areas can accumulate significant amounts of radioactive materials from air fallout, particularly in their cap skin, while forest mushrooms show different patterns. Impacts on everyday life: – Helps understand environmental contamination patterns through mushroom analysis – Provides insights into food safety regarding wild mushroom consumption – Contributes to environmental monitoring methods – Demonstrates how different environments affect pollutant accumulation in fungi – Aids in assessing human exposure to environmental radioactivity through food chains

Background

Naturally occurring radionuclides contribute significantly to the total effective dose of ionizing radiation in populations. These radionuclides transfer through air emissions, leaching, run-off water, and from soils into plants, animals and humans. Mushrooms are known bioaccumulators that accumulate stable and radioactive elements at different levels.

Objective

To analyze the 210Po and 210Pb content in separated parts (cap skin, cap flesh and stem) of wild growing mushrooms, their mycelium and soil substrate collected from different environments, and estimate how their natural growth might affect radionuclides distribution. The study aimed to determine whether the main source of these radionuclides in mushroom fruitbodies is atmospheric fallout or selective bioconcentration from soil.

Results

The highest 210Po and 210Pb activity concentrations were found in Marasmius oreades cap skin (3.20 ± 0.12 and 21.1 ± 0.5 Bq kg−1ww respectively), constituting 31.2% and 78.7% of total fruitbody content. Open space mushrooms showed higher radionuclide concentrations in caps compared to stems, with content mainly determined by cap skin concentrations. Forest-growing species showed different distribution patterns with higher stem concentrations.

Conclusion

While both 210Po and 210Pb are present in analyzed mushrooms, they are poorly accumulated despite significant soil and mycelium content. The study revealed that atmospheric fallout can play an important role in uptake and distribution of these radionuclides in mushroom fruitbodies, especially for open space species. Stem content appears to result from bioaccumulation, cap content from dilution processes, and cap skin content from atmospheric fallout.
  • Published in:Environmental Science and Pollution Research International,
  • Study Type:Field Study,
  • Source: 10.1007/s11356-020-08559-w
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