210Pb and 210Po levels in sediments, water, and bioindicators in the Cananeia-Iguape estuary-Sao Paulo-Brazil

The purpose of this work was to determine levels of 210Pb and 210Po in seawater, sediment cores, fish and seafood as well as to estimate the concentration factors and the bioindicators for 210Pb and 210Po in marine organisms collected in the estuary. 210Pb levels in seawater varied from 2.1 to 6.2 mBq.L−1 and for 210Po ranged from 1.6 to 4.1 mBq.L−1. 210Pb concentration factors in fish varied from 0.5×102 to 0.8×103, in crustaceans from 0.5×103 to 0.2×104 and in shellfish from 0.2×104 to 0.3×104. 210Po concentration factors in fish varied from 0.9×102 to 0.5×104, in crustaceans from 0.5×104 to 0.2×105 and in shellfish from 0.3×105 to 0.9×105. The results obtained to the concentration factors indicated that shellfish and crustaceans are good bioindicators for the radionuclides studies. Some species of fish also accumulated significantly quantities of these radionuclides.