Lichens and mosses as polonium and uranium biomonitors on Sobieszewo Island

In the study the activities of polonium Po-210 and uranium U-234, U-238 radionuclides in moss and lichen samples were determined using the alpha spectrometry. Different lichens and mosses were collected around the Sobieszewo Island (northern Poland) and investigated for potential use as biomonitors for Po-210 and U-238 deposition. Mosses and lichens have a high efficiency in capturing Po-210 and U-238 from atmospheric fallout. The obtained results showed that Po-210, U-238 concentrations are changing in analyzed thallophytes samples depending on the type of thallus.