Lichens obtained from permanent study plots as bioindicators for radioactive fallout

Updated 2013-01-26

Lichens are the best terrestrial bioindicators for radioactive fallout and also the most important link in foodchain lichen - reindeer - man. Generally, Fenced permanent sampling plots are used to study the biological half-life of 137Cs in lichen. However, some of the STUKs sampling plots are unfenced which are subjected to grazing by reindeer. Start year: early 60's as a project of the Radiochemistry Department of University in Helsinki. Stuk's participation since 1975. Data are collected from 1961, 1980, 1982 or 1986, continuously every 3-5 years. Data processing/work-up and data archiving/reporting work are conducted from 1961, 1980, 1982. Continous data sets from 1986 to 2010.

This is a National Implementation Plan (NIP) project

http://www.stuk.fi

Comments and additional information:

Start year: early 60's as a project of the Radiochemistry Department of University in Helsinki. Stuk's participation since 1975. Data are collected from 1961, 1980, 1982 or 1986, continuously every 3-5 years. Data processing/work-up and data archiving/reporting work are conducted from 1961, 1980, 1982 or 1986 to 1992 or 1996

Status: Ongoing
Project time span: 1960 -
Data collection: 1960 -
Data processing: not specified
Data reporting: not specified

Contact information

Contact person: Antti Kallio
Address: STUK - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority Regional laboratory in Northern Finland Lähteentie 2 FIN-96400 Rovaniemi Finland
Phone: +358-9-75988444
Email: if.kuts@oillak.ittna

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled

Radionuclides

Media sampled/studied/modelled

Lichens

Soil/Humus

Additional information or further specification of types of data / information collected, species / tissues / organs sampled, etc.

The lichen plot samples represent 50 cm x 50 cm area. Humus layer and about 5 cm mineral soil layer underneath are also sampled. By this sampling technigue also Bq/m2 results are obtained in addition to Bq/kg values. Only Bq/kg values are obtained in areas with sparse lichen carpet. The collected samples are separated to different lichen species. Cladonia lichens longer than 3 cm are divided into top, (middle) and lower sections. Lichen samples are died at 105oC, soil layers at room tempetature and homogenized before gammaspectrometric measurement.

Geography

Regions studied: Terrestrial TDC; Terrestrial TDC; Terrestrial TDC; Terrestrial TDC
Stations or areas where observations are made: Utsjoki, Koihkenjavepakti (1986-1999) Inari, old German airport in Kaamanen (1961-1999) Rovaniemi rural commune, Apukka (1982-1995) Kittilä, Pahtavuoma area (1980-1989)

Data availability

Are data archived or planned to be archived at an AMAP Thematic Data Centre?: yes-partly

Data centres: Radioactivity TDC; Terrestrial TDC

If no (or only part of data are reported to a TDC), where and how are (other) data stored?

The data is stored in STUK/Rovaniemi database.

References to key publications (or planned publications) and data reports

Rissanen K, Rahola T. 1989. Cs-137 concentration in reindeer and itsfodder plants. Sci Total Environ 85:199 –206. Rissanen K, Rahola T. 1990. Radiocaesium in lichens and reindeer after the Chernobyl accident. Rangifer (Special Issue) 3:55–61.

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?: Yes

Specimen banking information: Samples collected by STUK since 1975. All of them as dried, homogenized samples in plastic bags and jars stored in metal containers at room temperature in STUKs Regional Laboratory in Northern Finland. Only the few samples analysed radiochemically for 90Sr may be destroyed completely.

Methods & Procedures

Procedures and methodology used for, e.g., sampling and sample storage, sample pretreatment, extraction and analysis, including which laboratories are involved, references to methods employed, etc.: Sampling and pretreatment described under other data (above)
QA/QC Information (what QA/QC procedures are implemented, laboratories involvment in QA/QC activities, model verification/validation routines, etc.): Intercomparison IAEA and EPA STUK is accreditated for gammaspectrometric measurements, 90Sr and Pu-isotope analyses (FINAS)

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?: No
Indigenous AND traditional knowledge used in this project: Utsjoki sampling location is owned by a sami reindeer herder family