Accumulation of210Po by benthic marine algae

The accumulation of polonium 210Po by various species of benthic marine seaweeds collected from 4 different points on the coast of Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brasil), showed variations by species and algal groups. The highest value found was in red alga, Plocamium brasiliens is followed by other organisms of the same group. In the group of the brown alga, the specie Sargassum stenophylum was outstanding. The Chlorophyta presented the lowest content of 210Po. The algae collected in open sea, revealed greater concentration factors of 210Po than the same species living in bays. The siliceous residue remaining after mineralization of the algae didn't interfere with the detection of polonium.