The distribution, transfer and bioaccumulation of metallic radionuclides originating from human nuclear activities must be better understood. Uranium - a radioelement that occurs naturally in the environment - can be used as a chemical model for heavier actinides. Mollusks, especially mussels, are model species due to their ability to filter large volumes of seawater and for their sedentary behavior. Dynamic Secondary Ion Mass Spectometry was employed to investigate the chemical mechanisms involved in the accumulation of uranium in M. galloprovincialis mussel.
a. Photonic image of part of mussels
b. ionic image of 49Ca+
c. ionic image of 238U+
d. Overlay of 238U+ / 40Ca+
Recorded on a IMS 7f at Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PATERSON platform, Fontenayaux-Roses, France. Image courtesy of David Suhard and Romain Stefanelli.
From Stefanelli et al. Uranium contamination of bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis, speciation and localization (submitted for publication).