Distribution of 137Cs in soils and wild mushrooms from Bulgaria
Radoslava Lazarova
, Milena Hristozova
, Milena HristozovaAbstract: The content of technogenic 137Cs was studied in soils and wild mushrooms from Bulgaria.
The specific activity of the radionuclide varied between 2.0±0.5 and 35±3 Bq/kg in the soils from Northern Bulgaria and between 4±1 and 270±10 Bq/kg in the soils from southern Bulgaria. The significant standard deviation calculated indicated firm heterogeneity in pollution, particularly in the southern mountainous part of the country.
The highest accumulation of Cs-137 was found in wild mushrooms from the species Hydnum repandum – 890±90 ÷ 1500±50 Bq/kg, Hydnum imbricatum – 1250±60 ÷ 2860±150 Bq/kg, and Cantharellus cinereus – 890±90 ÷ 2030±100 Bq/kg. Lower values were measured in Boletus edulis – < 1÷55±5 Bq/kg (fresh weight) and 10±2 ÷ 400±20 Bq/kg (dry weight), and Cantharellus cibarius <1 to 55±6 (fresh weight) and 15± to 190±20 Bq/kg dry weight. The lowest levels of radiocaesium were recorded in Marasmius oreades – <1 to 10±2 Bq/kg, Morchella esculenta – <1 to 20±3 Bq/kg, and Craterellus cornucopioides – <1 to 20±4 Bq/kg.
The annual effective dose from consuming mushrooms with 137Cs content exceeding the EU limit of 600 Bq/kg was calculated. It was found that its contribution to the annual effective dose from all radioactive sources is insignificant, and it is not hazardous to the population from a radiological point of view. However, their regular consumption is not recommended.
The specific activity of the radionuclide varied between 2.0±0.5 and 35±3 Bq/kg in the soils from Northern Bulgaria and between 4±1 and 270±10 Bq/kg in the soils from southern Bulgaria. The significant standard deviation calculated indicated firm heterogeneity in pollution, particularly in the southern mountainous part of the country.
The highest accumulation of Cs-137 was found in wild mushrooms from the species Hydnum repandum – 890±90 ÷ 1500±50 Bq/kg, Hydnum imbricatum – 1250±60 ÷ 2860±150 Bq/kg, and Cantharellus cinereus – 890±90 ÷ 2030±100 Bq/kg. Lower values were measured in Boletus edulis – < 1÷55±5 Bq/kg (fresh weight) and 10±2 ÷ 400±20 Bq/kg (dry weight), and Cantharellus cibarius <1 to 55±6 (fresh weight) and 15± to 190±20 Bq/kg dry weight. The lowest levels of radiocaesium were recorded in Marasmius oreades – <1 to 10±2 Bq/kg, Morchella esculenta – <1 to 20±3 Bq/kg, and Craterellus cornucopioides – <1 to 20±4 Bq/kg.
The annual effective dose from consuming mushrooms with 137Cs content exceeding the EU limit of 600 Bq/kg was calculated. It was found that its contribution to the annual effective dose from all radioactive sources is insignificant, and it is not hazardous to the population from a radiological point of view. However, their regular consumption is not recommended.
Keywords: 137Cs; radioactivity of wild mushrooms; soil pollution
Citation: Lazarova, R. & Hristozova, M. (2025). Distribution of 137Cs in soils and wild mushrooms from Bulgaria. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 31(5), 905–909
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Date published: 2025-10-28
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