Biokinetics of radiocesium in shrimp (Palaemon adspersus): seawater and food exposures

• Bioaccumulation of 134Cs was studied in shrimp Palaemon adspersus.
• Uptake and loss experiments were carried out under controlled laboratory conditions.
• CFss value was found to be 15 ± 0.58 for whole body of shrimp.
• Tb1/2 were found to be 85.5 ± 1.05 and 84.2 ± 2.93 days for long periods of dissolved and dietary pathways, respectively.
• The average of the total body burden of 134Cs eliminated with molting was %15.3 ± 8.1.

The bioaccumulation of 134Cs was studied in the shrimp Palaemon adspersus (Rathke, 1837) using dissolved or food pathways. The uptake and loss kinetics (following seawater and food uptake) were followed for 27 and 38 days, respectively. The steady state concentration factor (CFss) value of 134Cs in the whole body of the shrimp was found to be 15 ± 0.08. The loss kinetics of radiocesium was described by a two-component exponential model, with a biological half-life of 85.5 days for the whole body. The depuration kinetics of 134Cs was best fitted to a single-component exponential model for both edible and inedible parts. The depuration kinetics of 134Cs following exposure via pulse-chase feeding was also described by a two-component exponential model, with a biological half-life of 84.2 days. Assimilation efficiency (AE) was found to be 38.5%. Most of the radioactivity was accumulated in muscular tissues (the edible part) of the shrimp compared to the remaining soft parts. The average of the total body burden of 134Cs eliminated with molting was %15.3 ± 8.1.