Measurement of Strontium-90 in the Persian Gulf Fish by Extraction Chromatography with Sr-resin and Liquid Scintillation Counter

Abstract

Background: Despite its beneficial effects on human life, the nuclear industry has its own risks. Strontium 90 (90Sr) is one of the most dangerous radionuclides produced by the uranium 235 fission, and replaces the bone calcium in the human body, which causes cancer. Ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities to protect employees, people and the environment is among the main goals of nuclear safety. Given close proximity of the Bushehr nuclear power plant to the Persian Gulf and the likelihood of 90Sr leaking into the marine ecosystem, this study aimed to measure this radionuclide in a sample of the bar-tail flathead fish (Platycephalus indicus) found in the Persian Gulf coastline, as people’s main source of food in the region. Materials and Methods: Samples were taken from 10 points around the Persian Gulf coastline. The samples were analyzed using chromatographic extraction by Sr-resin and counted by the Liquid Scintillation Counter. Results: The concentration of strontium 90 measured in the fish samples was 0.252- 0.955 Bq.kg-1. The mean chemical efficiency in this method was 97.34 ± 0.97 percent. Conclusion: The amount of strontium 90 found in these samples was negligible and within the least detectable range. Despite the 10-year activity of Bushehr nuclear power plant, no evidence of contamination with strontium 90 was found. These results will be very useful in assessing the underlying contamination in environmental monitoring programs.

Keywords

• strontium 90
• cancer
• fish
• liquid scintillation counter
• environmental monitoring