Occurrence of 210Po in marine macroalgae inhabiting a coastal nuclear zone, southeast coast of India

The activity concentration of 210Po in 26 species of marine macroalgae found along coast near to a nuclear installation in southeast coast of India was studied. Phaeophytes were found to accumulate the maximum 210Po concentration and chlorophytes the minimum. The average 210Po activity concentration values in the three groups were 6.2 ± 2.5 Bq kg−1 (Chlorophyta), 14.4 ± 5.2 Bq kg−1 (Phaeophyta) and 11.3 ± 3.9 Bq kg−1 (Rhodophyta). A statistically significant variation in accumulation was found between groups (p < 0.05). The un-weighted dose rate to these algae due to 210Po was calculated to be well below the benchmark dose limit of 10 μGy h−1.