MEL-REL Research

Po/Pb in selected coastal environments

This project is investigating the bioaccumulation of the natural nuclides Po-210 and Pb-210 arising from hydrothermal and anthropogenic sources in coastal environments. The levels of these radionuclides in coastal regions are likely be enhanced through natural geothermal venting as well as from land based activities such as mining, oil refining and agrochemical applications. This work is improving the global database on their levels in the marine environment, and assessing their relative contributions to the overall ambient concentrations of natural radioactivity at specific coastal locations.