Redistribution of 137cs in trophic chains of insects-herpetobions

Abstract

We review the questions of redistribution of 137Cs in trophic chain, based on the study of radioactivity of insects-herpetobions exoskeletons, sampled in Drevlanskiy Natural Reservation (the density of radioactive contamination is above 555 kBq/m2). To simplify the model, only obligatory phytophagous, zoophagous and necrophagous were used. Calculated accumulation coefficients (TF) for each unit of chain give an ability to define theunit with the maximal accumulation of radioactive element - secondary consumers (zoophagous), where TF is 6 time higher than in other units which proves known standard trend.However, draws attention the fact that TF for insects-predators is almost 3 times higher than for the predators from other taxonomical groups. Comparison of measured accumulation coefficients of insects-herpetobions to already published data allows us to make an assumption about the domination of insects in biogenic transformation of radionuclides, at least in forest ecosystems. This domination can be based on the higher biomass and density of population of invertebrates from one side and on the high level of radioactive contamination of these animals.