Radium-226 equilibrium between water and lake herring, Coregonus artedii, tissues attained within fish lifetime: Confirmation in this species of one assumption in the simple linear concentration factor model Original Research

Equilibrium conditions are assumed in the simple linear concentration factor model commonly used in simulations of contaminant flow through ecosystems and in dose and risk calculations. Predictions derived from a power function model have suggested that if the time scale of the food-chain transfer is less than six years in fish, radium-226 equilibrium will not be achieved in nature, thereby violating the equilibrium requirement in the concentration factor model. Our results indicate 226Ra equilibrium is achieved in a natural population of lake herring (Coregonus artedii), contrary to predictions of the power function model.