Spatial and temporal variability of 210Po and 210Pb in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) at the Turkish coast of the Aegean Sea

Abstract In this study, the activity concentrations of 210 Po and 210 Pb were determined in mussel samples ( Mytilus galloprovincialis ) collected from the Turkish coast of the Aegean Sea. The samples were collected seasonally for a period of two years (2004–2006) at six coastal stations (Canakkale, Dikili, Foca, Cesme, Didim, Bodrum). Mussels were separated into several groups according to their size (1–4, 4–6, >6 cm). The results showed that 210 Po concentrations in mussels varied between 53 ± 4 and 1960 ± 60 Bq kg −1  dw. The highest activity 210 Po concentrations were determined in winter samples of mussels with a shell length of 4–6 cm from Didim. In general, it was observed that the 210 Pb concentration levels in mussels were lower than 210 Po concentrations. The 210 Po/ 210 Pb activity concentration ratios exceeded unity for all mussel samples and averaged 26.0. The inter-site differences seen in 210 Po concentrations can be due to both the natural background levels of sites and industrial activities.