A biomonitoring study: 210Po and heavy metals in marine organisms from the Adriatic Sea (Italy)

In various samples of marine organisms from the central Adriatic Sea Po-210 was determined by alpha spectrometry and thirteen heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Cr, V, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, As, Sn, Hg and Pb) by energy dispersive, polarised X ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDPXRF). Po-210 activity concentration ranged between 0.3 and 44.6 Bq kg(-1) fresh weight. The data obtained depend upon the type of the marine organism; among the pelagic species, anchovy displayed the highest polonium concentration. Typical concentration (mu g center dot g((fresh))(-1)) ranges were as follows: Mn: < 1.32-1.73; Fe: 4.11-94.27; Co < 0.13-0.23; Ni: < 0.13-0.52; Cu: 0.37-145.31; Zn: 0.46-16.46; Cd: < 0.10-0.25; As: 0.36-60.52; Hg: < 0.13-0.70; Pb: < 0.13-0.35, Sn: < 0.20-12.67; V and Cr were always < 1.32. The data obtained are also compared with those obtained by other authors for the same organism coming from other Italian seas.