Marine and freshwater concentration ratios (CRwo-water): review of Japanese data

The water-to-organism (whole body) concentration ratio (CRwo-water), which is defined as the ratio of the concentration of a radionuclide in the biota (Bq kg−1 fresh weight) to that in water (Bq L−1), has been used in mathematical models for environmental radiation protection. In the present paper, published global fallout 90Sr, 137Cs, 106Ru, 144Ce and 239+240Pu activity concentration data and stable element concentration data for Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Mn for organisms living in freshwater or seawater areas in Japan were collated. The data suitable for obtaining CRwo-water values were identified. CRwo-water values of 137Cs were similar for pelagic fish, benthic fish and whitebait (immature, small fish) with respective geometric means of 30 (range: 4.4-69), 32 (range: 15-54) and 33 (range: 13-84). The calculated CRwo-water values of the other radionuclides and stable elements were generally similar to other previously reported values; with the exception that those for Ce were lower for marine biota and those of Cu were higher for freshwater fish.