Plutonium bioaccumulation in seabirds

The aim of the paper was plutonium (238Pu and 239+240Pu) determination in seabirds, permanently or temporarily living in northern Poland at the Baltic Sea coast. Together 11 marine birds species were examined: 3 species permanently residing in the southern Baltic, 4 species of wintering birds and 3 species of migrating birds. The obtained results indicated plutonium is non-uniformly distributed in organs and tissues of analyzed seabirds. The highest plutonium content was found in the digestion organs and feathers, the smallest in skin and muscles. The plutonium concentration was lower in analyzed species which feed on fish and much higher in herbivorous species. The main source of plutonium in analyzed marine birds was global atmospheric fallout.

► We determined 239+240Pu in seabirds living in northern Poland at the Baltic Sea.
► We noticed plutonium was non-uniformly distributed in organs and tissues of seabirds.
► We found the highest plutonium content in the digestion organs and feathers.
► We found Pu content was lower in birds feeding on fish and higher in herbivorous.