Radioactivity levels in fish, shellfish, algae and seagrass collected from the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey, 1992

Radioactive pollution of fish, shellfish, algae and seagrass samples collected in the Trabzon littoral region of the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey was investigated. Radioactivity was detected in all samples and varied with species and location. The highest concentrations of Cs 137 were found in U.lactuca and Z.marina while the lowest activity was detected in T.medditerraneus and A.fallax. The findings of 1992 were compared with those of our earlier study. It appears from our data that Chernobyl‐derived radiocesium has diminished considerably in Turkish coastal waters during the period 1900–1992.

Key Words:

• Radioactivity
• cesium
• marine biota
• Chernobyl