Efficacy of Trophic Transfer of Radioactive and Stable Isotopes of Metals to Zoobenthos-Feeding Fish of the Yenisei River

Abstract

Accumulation of radioactive and stable isotopes of metals in trophic chain of the Yenisei River leading to zoobenthivorous fish species, dace (Leuciscus leuciscus baicalensis) and grayling (Thymallus arcticus), have been investigated. Concentration factors (CF) of radionuclides and metals in trophic pairs, aquatic moss (Fontinalis antipyretica) – gammarids (Gammaridea), gammarids – dace and gammarids – grayling, were estimated. Dietary transfer of metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Co, Pb and Cd) and artificial radionuclides ( Zn and Cs) from gammarids to muscles of fish species was not effective (CF<1). Effective transfer of potassium (CF = 2.6-3.4) and its natural isotope K (CF = 2.6 2.8) is possible in these trophic pairs. Effective accumulation of K, Zn and Cd in liver of grayling is possible from biomass of gammarids (CF = 3.2, 3.0 and 2.1, respectively). Accumulation of copper and Zn is possible in biomass of gammarids from aquatic moss (CF = 2.9 and 2.2-8.7, respectively). Dietary transfer of other stable and radioactive isotopes of metals in this trophic pair is not effective. Efficacy of dietary transfer was similar for analogue isotopes K and K only. Efficacy of diet transfer of isotopes of analogue elements, K and Cs, differed considerably among the studied trophic pairs.

Keywords

• aquatic moss
• dace
• gammarids
• grayling
• Fontinalis antipyretica
• Gammaridea
• Leuciscus leuciscus baicalensis
• Thymallus arcticus