Frequency Distributions of super(137)Cs in Fish and Mammal Populations

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity Vol. 61; no. 1; p. 55
• Main Authors: Oleksyk, Taras K, Gashchak, Sergiy P, Glenn, Travis C, Jagoe, Charles H, Peles, John D, Purdue, James R, Tsyusko, Olga V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-01-2002
• Subjects: Apodemus flavicollis; Clethrionomys glareolus; Freshwater; Ictalurus punctatus; Mammalia; Pisces; Ukraine, Chernobyl
• ISSN: 0265-931X

Fish and mammal samples were collected from a number of radioactively contaminated sites in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Data are reported from tests seeking to characterize the cesium 137 contents of these sampled organisms. Researchers developed frequency distributions for populations of impacted organisms, including channel catfish, yellow-necked mice, and bank voles. Data from the study were combined with results from several other studies to highlight the relationship between the standard deviation and means of super(137)Cs of fish and mammal populations. Findings from the project indicated that the frequency distributions of super(137)Cs in populations of fish and mammals are not normal. This conclusion was reached based on the strong relationship between standard deviation and mean.