~(210)Polonium content of small cetaceans from Southeastern Brazil

摘要

The ~(210)Po concentration of muscle and liver samples obtained from dolphins stranded on beaches in the Southeastern region of Rio de Janeiro State was analyzed in the present study. The samples were primarily obtained from "Franciscana" (Pontoporia blainvillei) and "Guiana" dolphins (Sotalia guianensis); however, samples from four other species were also evaluated. The ~(210)Po concentration of muscle samples obtained from "Franciscana" dolphins (66.7 ±6.7, n = 8)Bqkg~(-1) w.w. was greater than that of "Guiana" dolphins (25.3 ±5.7, n = 8)Bq kg~(-1) w.w. due to differences in the diets of these species. Alternatively, the ~(210)Po concentrations of liver samples obtained from different species were statically equivalent. Compared to the results described in the literature, the muscle samples evaluated in the present study displayed lower ~(210)Po concentrations, except for those obtained from "Franciscana" dolphins, which exhibited similar values. For "Franciscana" and "Guiana" dolphins, a clear relationship between the ~(210)Po concentration of muscle and liver samples and the size of the dolphin was not observed.