Occurrence of (210)Po in marine macroalgae inhabiting a coastal nuclear zone, southeast coast of India.

The activity concentration of (210)Po in 26 species of marine macroalgae found along coast near to a nuclear installation in southeast coast of India was studied. Phaeophytes were found to accumulate the maximum (210)Po concentration and chlorophytes the minimum. The average (210)Po activity concentration values in the three groups were 6.2 ± 2.5 Bq kg(-1) (Chlorophyta), 14.4 ± 5.2 Bq kg(-1) (Phaeophyta) and 11.3 ± 3.9 Bq kg(-1) (Rhodophyta). A statistically significant variation in accumulation was found between groups (p < 0.05). The un-weighted dose rate to these algae due to (210)Po was calculated to be well below the benchmark dose limit of 10 μGy h(-1).