Cs-137 in Arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) on Svalbard

摘要

This study presents ~(137)Cs muscle activity concentrations in Arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) from Svalbard over a period of several years and discusses the transfer of ~(137)Cs to Arctic foxes through likely predator—prey relationships. Mean ~(137)Cs activity concentrations and ~(137)Cs T_(ag) values (per trapping season) ranged from 0.51 ± 2.76 to 1.32 ± 2.89 Bq/kg (w.w.) and 5.1 x 10~(-4) to 1.3 x 10~(-3) m~2/kg, respectively. Mean concentration ratios of ~(137)Cs in Arctic foxes compared to probable prey ranged from 1.0 to 7.9. On Svalbard, transfer of ~(137)Cs to Arctic foxes is likely to occur via both marine and terrestrial food chains. The relative contribution of marine and terrestrial food sources to the diet of Arctic foxes may vary by location and by season and may lead to either an increase or decrease in the trophic transfer of ~(137)Cs to Arctic foxes compared to transfer resulting from terrestrial only diets.