Accumulation mechanisms of radiocaesium within lichen thallus tissues determined by means of in situ microscale localisation observation.

ABSTRACT: Many lichens are well known to accumulate radiocaesium and, thus acting as biomonitors of contamination levels. However, the actual localisation and chemical forms of radiocaesium in contaminated lichens have not yet been elucidated because, despite their high radioactivity, these forms are present in trace amounts as chemical entities. Here, we use autoradiography and demonstrate for the first time in situ microscale localisation of radiocaesium within thallus tissues to investigate the radiocaesium forms and their accumulation mechanism. Radiocaesium distributions showed similar trends in lichen tissues collected two and six years after the Fukushima nuclear accident. The radiocaesium was localised in the brown pigmented parts i.e., melanin-like substances, in the lower cortex of lichen

SUBMITTER: Dohi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9269901 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature