Author(s)

J.A.G. Corisco & M.C.V. Carreiro

Abstract

Cobalt plays a vital role as a trace element in almost all organisms, therefore radiocobalt incorporation into aquatic organisms and its transfer along trophic chains is important from the point of view of radiological protection. The aim of the present work is to study the uptake and elimination of ^Co by the unicellular algae Selenastrum capricornutum Printz (Chlorophycea), using Tejo River water (Fratel Reservoir) as a culture medium, in order to assess the potential of this organism as an agent for radionuclide transfer in aquatic ecosystems. At equilibrium conditions, the concentration factor (dry weight) was found to vary from 2.3x10^ to 1.8x10"*. Elimination shows two components with two biological half-lives, 1 hour and 11 days respectively. Kinetics loss sug

Keywords