Distribution and transfer of naturally occurring radionuclides and 137Cs in the freshwater system of the Plitvice Lakes, Croatia, and related dose assessment to wildlife by ERICA Tool

A study of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, reveals that naturally occurring radionuclides and 137Cs exhibit significant variability across different lakes, likely due to underlying geological differences. The research found that 210 Pb in sediments indicates an allochthonous contribution of up to 312 Bq kg −1 at the watercourse's beginning, decreasing downstream. Low 40 K activity concentrations (27.5 ± 20.1 mBq L −1) in lake waters may contribute to higher 137 Cs levels in fish (1.5 ± 0.4 Bq kg −1), which are an order of magnitude above average values for Croatian freshwater systems. The study also highlights that site-specific data significantly impact radiological dose assessments, with water activity concentrations leading to notably higher dose rates than sediment-based ones. Additionally, the incremental dose rate from 137 Cs was found to be negligible compared to background levels.

Skoko, B., Babić, D., Franić, Z., Bituh, T., & Petrinec, B. (2021). Distribution and transfer of naturally occurring radionuclides and 137Cs in the freshwater system of the Plitvice Lakes, Croatia, and related dose assessment to wildlife by ERICA Tool. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(18), 23547–23564. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12415-w