Bioaccumlation in tuna Bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive material released into the sea by the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant (Section 47.1). These tuna breed in the western Pacific, and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Daniel Madigan suspected that migrating tuna would transport radioactive material to the waters off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, he and his collaborators analyzed the concentration of cesium radioisotopes ( 137 Cs and 134 Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near San Diego in August 2011. Yellowfin tuna do not cross the Pacific; they spend their lives in California's coastal waters. The scientists compared these data with the radioisotope content of bluefin tuna that had been caught near San Diego in 2008. FIGURE 48.9 shows their results. FIGURE 48.9 Radioactive cesium (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California. 137 Cs has a half-life of 30 years and some persists in the Pacific from weapons testing. 134 Cs has a half-life of 2 years and was undetectable in the Pacific prior to the accident at Fukushima. Becquerels (Bq) is a measure of radioactivity. How did the radioisotope content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident)?

Question

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Answer 1

Textbook Question

Chapter 48, Problem 1DAA

Bioaccumlation in tuna Bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive material released into the sea by the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant (Section 47.1). These tuna breed in the western Pacific, and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Daniel Madigan suspected that migrating tuna would transport radioactive material to the waters off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, he and his collaborators analyzed the concentration of cesium radioisotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near San Diego in August 2011. Yellowfin tuna do not cross the Pacific; they spend their lives in California's coastal waters. The scientists compared these data with the radioisotope content of bluefin tuna that had been caught near San Diego in 2008. FIGURE 48.9 shows their results.

Chapter 48, Problem 1DAA, Bioaccumlation in tuna Bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive material

FIGURE 48.9 Radioactive cesium (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California.

¹³⁷Cs has a half-life of 30 years and some persists in the Pacific from weapons testing. ¹³⁴Cs has a half-life of 2 years and was undetectable in the Pacific prior to the accident at Fukushima. Becquerels (Bq) is a measure of radioactivity.

How did the radioisotope content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident)?

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

To determine: How the radioactive content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident).

Concept introduction: Bioaccumulation is the concentration of a pollutant inside an organism’s tissues causing the amount of the pollutants to increase over time. Trophic level also affects the pollutant concentration by the process of biological magnification The concentration of the chemical increases as the pollutant moves up the food chain. Bioaccumulation and biological magnification even in low concentrations (depending on toxic potential) can have detrimental effects on a species.

Explanation of Solution

The powerful earthquake occurred in the northeast coast of Japan in March 2011 caused tsunami that killed 15,000 people. During this time, the nuclear power plant on the shore of the city Fukushima became damaged and released some radioactive materials into the air and sea. The water was polluted with cesium 137 (¹³⁷Cs), a radioactive material having a half-life of 30 years.

The bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive materials released into the sea. These tuna fishes breed in the western Pacific and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Researcher D suspected that the tuna might have transported the radioactive material off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, the concentration of cesium radioisotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near the San Diego in August 2011were analyzed for the presence of cesium.

The yellowfin tuna reside in the California’s coastal water and they do not cross the Pacific. Therefore, the presence of cesium in yellowfin tuna was compared with bluefin tuna.

Refer to Fig. 48.9, “Radioactive (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California” in the question. From the figure, the bluefin tuna caught in 2011 have 6.3 Bq and 4 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively; whereas the bluefin tuna caught in 2008 have 1.4 Bq and 0 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively.

Therefore, the bluefin tuna caught after the Fukushima nuclear plant incident (2011) have a higher level of cesium radioactivity than the bluefin tuna caught before the incident (2008).

Conclusion

¹³⁴Cs radioisotope and a lower level of ¹³⁷Cs were found in the bluefin tuna caught in 2008; however, the tuna caught after the accident in 2011 contained a higher level of both radioisotopes.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Students have asked these similar questions

Preoperative Diagnosis: Torn medial meniscus, left knee Postoperative Diagnosis: Combination horizontal cleavage tear/flap tear, posterior horn, medial meniscus, left knee. Operation: Arthroscopic subtotal medial meniscectomy, left knee Anesthetic: General endotracheal Description of Procedure: The patient was placed on the operating table in the supine position and general endotracheal anesthesia was administered. After an adequate level of anesthesia was achieved, the patient's left lower extremity was prepped with Betadine scrubbing solution, then draped in a sterile manner. Several sites were then infiltrated with 1% Xylocaine solution with Epinephrine to help control bleeding from stab wounds to be made at these sites. These stab wounds were made anterolaterally at the level of the superior pole of the patella for insertion of an irrigation catheter into the suprapatellar pouch area, anterolaterally at the level of the joint line for insertion of the scope and anteromedially at…

UARDIAN SIGNA Life Sciences/ Baseline Test Grade 10 ry must be written in point form. pot in full sentences using NO MORE than 70 words sentences from 1 to 7. only ONE point per sentence. words as far as possible. number of words you have used in brackets at the end GDE/2024 QUESTION 3 The table below shows the results of an investigation in which the effect of temperature and light on the yield of tomatoes in two greenhouses on a farm was investigated. TEMPERATURE (°C) AVERAGE YIELD OF TOMATOES PER 3.1 PLANT (kg) LOW LIGHT LEVELS HIGH LIGHT LEVELS 5 0,5 0,5 10 1,5 2,5 15 3,0 5,0 20 3,6 8,5 25 3,5 7,8 30 2,5 6,2 State TWO steps the investigator may have taken into consideration during the planning stage of the investigation. (2) 3.2 Identify the: a) Independent variables (2) b) Dependent variable (1) 3.3 Plot a line graph showing the results of the average yield of the tomatoes from 5°C to 30°C for low light levels. (6) 3.4 State ONE way in which the scientists could have improved the…

Explain why you chose this mutation. Begin by transcribing and translating BOTH the normal and abnormal DNA sequences. The genetic code below is for your reference. SECOND BASE OF CODON כ FIRST BASE OF CODON O THIRD BASE OF CODON SCAGUCAGUGAGUCAG UUU UUC UCU UAU UGU Phenylalanine (F) Tyrosine (Y) Cysteine (C) UCC UAC UGC Serine (S) UUA UUG Leucine (L) UCA UCG_ UAA UGA Stop codon -Stop codon UAG UGG -Tryptophan (W) CUU CUC CCU CAU CGU Histidine (H) CCC CAC CGC -Leucine (L) Proline (P) CUA CCA CAA CUG CCG CAG-Glutamine (Q) -Arginine (R) CGA CGG AUU ACU AAU AGU AUC Isoleucine (1) Asparagine (N) ACC AAC Threonine (T) AUA ACA AAA Methionine (M) Lysine (K) AUG ACG Start codon AAG AGC-Serine (S) -Arginine (R) AGA AGG GUU GCU GAU GUC GUA GUG GCC Valine (V) -Alanine (A) GCA GCG GAC GAA GAG Aspartic acid (D) GGU Glutamic acid (E) GGC GGA GGG Glycine (G) In order to provide a complete answer to the question stated above, fill in the mRNA bases and amino acid sequences by using the Genetic Code…

Answer 2

Textbook Question

Chapter 48, Problem 1DAA

Bioaccumlation in tuna Bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive material released into the sea by the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant (Section 47.1). These tuna breed in the western Pacific, and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Daniel Madigan suspected that migrating tuna would transport radioactive material to the waters off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, he and his collaborators analyzed the concentration of cesium radioisotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near San Diego in August 2011. Yellowfin tuna do not cross the Pacific; they spend their lives in California's coastal waters. The scientists compared these data with the radioisotope content of bluefin tuna that had been caught near San Diego in 2008. FIGURE 48.9 shows their results.

Chapter 48, Problem 1DAA, Bioaccumlation in tuna Bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive material

FIGURE 48.9 Radioactive cesium (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California.

¹³⁷Cs has a half-life of 30 years and some persists in the Pacific from weapons testing. ¹³⁴Cs has a half-life of 2 years and was undetectable in the Pacific prior to the accident at Fukushima. Becquerels (Bq) is a measure of radioactivity.

How did the radioisotope content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident)?

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

To determine: How the radioactive content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident).

Concept introduction: Bioaccumulation is the concentration of a pollutant inside an organism’s tissues causing the amount of the pollutants to increase over time. Trophic level also affects the pollutant concentration by the process of biological magnification The concentration of the chemical increases as the pollutant moves up the food chain. Bioaccumulation and biological magnification even in low concentrations (depending on toxic potential) can have detrimental effects on a species.

Explanation of Solution

The powerful earthquake occurred in the northeast coast of Japan in March 2011 caused tsunami that killed 15,000 people. During this time, the nuclear power plant on the shore of the city Fukushima became damaged and released some radioactive materials into the air and sea. The water was polluted with cesium 137 (¹³⁷Cs), a radioactive material having a half-life of 30 years.

The bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive materials released into the sea. These tuna fishes breed in the western Pacific and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Researcher D suspected that the tuna might have transported the radioactive material off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, the concentration of cesium radioisotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near the San Diego in August 2011were analyzed for the presence of cesium.

The yellowfin tuna reside in the California’s coastal water and they do not cross the Pacific. Therefore, the presence of cesium in yellowfin tuna was compared with bluefin tuna.

Refer to Fig. 48.9, “Radioactive (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California” in the question. From the figure, the bluefin tuna caught in 2011 have 6.3 Bq and 4 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively; whereas the bluefin tuna caught in 2008 have 1.4 Bq and 0 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively.

Therefore, the bluefin tuna caught after the Fukushima nuclear plant incident (2011) have a higher level of cesium radioactivity than the bluefin tuna caught before the incident (2008).

Conclusion

¹³⁴Cs radioisotope and a lower level of ¹³⁷Cs were found in the bluefin tuna caught in 2008; however, the tuna caught after the accident in 2011 contained a higher level of both radioisotopes.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 3

Textbook Question

Chapter 48, Problem 1DAA

Bioaccumlation in tuna Bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive material released into the sea by the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant (Section 47.1). These tuna breed in the western Pacific, and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Daniel Madigan suspected that migrating tuna would transport radioactive material to the waters off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, he and his collaborators analyzed the concentration of cesium radioisotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near San Diego in August 2011. Yellowfin tuna do not cross the Pacific; they spend their lives in California's coastal waters. The scientists compared these data with the radioisotope content of bluefin tuna that had been caught near San Diego in 2008. FIGURE 48.9 shows their results.

Chapter 48, Problem 1DAA, Bioaccumlation in tuna Bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive material

FIGURE 48.9 Radioactive cesium (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California.

¹³⁷Cs has a half-life of 30 years and some persists in the Pacific from weapons testing. ¹³⁴Cs has a half-life of 2 years and was undetectable in the Pacific prior to the accident at Fukushima. Becquerels (Bq) is a measure of radioactivity.

How did the radioisotope content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident)?

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

To determine: How the radioactive content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident).

Concept introduction: Bioaccumulation is the concentration of a pollutant inside an organism’s tissues causing the amount of the pollutants to increase over time. Trophic level also affects the pollutant concentration by the process of biological magnification The concentration of the chemical increases as the pollutant moves up the food chain. Bioaccumulation and biological magnification even in low concentrations (depending on toxic potential) can have detrimental effects on a species.

Explanation of Solution

The powerful earthquake occurred in the northeast coast of Japan in March 2011 caused tsunami that killed 15,000 people. During this time, the nuclear power plant on the shore of the city Fukushima became damaged and released some radioactive materials into the air and sea. The water was polluted with cesium 137 (¹³⁷Cs), a radioactive material having a half-life of 30 years.

The bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive materials released into the sea. These tuna fishes breed in the western Pacific and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Researcher D suspected that the tuna might have transported the radioactive material off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, the concentration of cesium radioisotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near the San Diego in August 2011were analyzed for the presence of cesium.

The yellowfin tuna reside in the California’s coastal water and they do not cross the Pacific. Therefore, the presence of cesium in yellowfin tuna was compared with bluefin tuna.

Refer to Fig. 48.9, “Radioactive (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California” in the question. From the figure, the bluefin tuna caught in 2011 have 6.3 Bq and 4 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively; whereas the bluefin tuna caught in 2008 have 1.4 Bq and 0 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively.

Therefore, the bluefin tuna caught after the Fukushima nuclear plant incident (2011) have a higher level of cesium radioactivity than the bluefin tuna caught before the incident (2008).

Conclusion

¹³⁴Cs radioisotope and a lower level of ¹³⁷Cs were found in the bluefin tuna caught in 2008; however, the tuna caught after the accident in 2011 contained a higher level of both radioisotopes.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 4

Textbook Question

Chapter 48, Problem 1DAA

Bioaccumlation in tuna Bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive material released into the sea by the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant (Section 47.1). These tuna breed in the western Pacific, and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Daniel Madigan suspected that migrating tuna would transport radioactive material to the waters off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, he and his collaborators analyzed the concentration of cesium radioisotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near San Diego in August 2011. Yellowfin tuna do not cross the Pacific; they spend their lives in California's coastal waters. The scientists compared these data with the radioisotope content of bluefin tuna that had been caught near San Diego in 2008. FIGURE 48.9 shows their results.

Chapter 48, Problem 1DAA, Bioaccumlation in tuna Bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive material

FIGURE 48.9 Radioactive cesium (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California.

¹³⁷Cs has a half-life of 30 years and some persists in the Pacific from weapons testing. ¹³⁴Cs has a half-life of 2 years and was undetectable in the Pacific prior to the accident at Fukushima. Becquerels (Bq) is a measure of radioactivity.

How did the radioisotope content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident)?

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

To determine: How the radioactive content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident).

Concept introduction: Bioaccumulation is the concentration of a pollutant inside an organism’s tissues causing the amount of the pollutants to increase over time. Trophic level also affects the pollutant concentration by the process of biological magnification The concentration of the chemical increases as the pollutant moves up the food chain. Bioaccumulation and biological magnification even in low concentrations (depending on toxic potential) can have detrimental effects on a species.

Explanation of Solution

The powerful earthquake occurred in the northeast coast of Japan in March 2011 caused tsunami that killed 15,000 people. During this time, the nuclear power plant on the shore of the city Fukushima became damaged and released some radioactive materials into the air and sea. The water was polluted with cesium 137 (¹³⁷Cs), a radioactive material having a half-life of 30 years.

The bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive materials released into the sea. These tuna fishes breed in the western Pacific and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Researcher D suspected that the tuna might have transported the radioactive material off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, the concentration of cesium radioisotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near the San Diego in August 2011were analyzed for the presence of cesium.

The yellowfin tuna reside in the California’s coastal water and they do not cross the Pacific. Therefore, the presence of cesium in yellowfin tuna was compared with bluefin tuna.

Refer to Fig. 48.9, “Radioactive (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California” in the question. From the figure, the bluefin tuna caught in 2011 have 6.3 Bq and 4 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively; whereas the bluefin tuna caught in 2008 have 1.4 Bq and 0 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively.

Therefore, the bluefin tuna caught after the Fukushima nuclear plant incident (2011) have a higher level of cesium radioactivity than the bluefin tuna caught before the incident (2008).

Conclusion

¹³⁴Cs radioisotope and a lower level of ¹³⁷Cs were found in the bluefin tuna caught in 2008; however, the tuna caught after the accident in 2011 contained a higher level of both radioisotopes.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 5

Textbook Question

Answer 6

Textbook Question

Answer 7

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

To determine: How the radioactive content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident).

Concept introduction: Bioaccumulation is the concentration of a pollutant inside an organism’s tissues causing the amount of the pollutants to increase over time. Trophic level also affects the pollutant concentration by the process of biological magnification The concentration of the chemical increases as the pollutant moves up the food chain. Bioaccumulation and biological magnification even in low concentrations (depending on toxic potential) can have detrimental effects on a species.

Explanation of Solution

The powerful earthquake occurred in the northeast coast of Japan in March 2011 caused tsunami that killed 15,000 people. During this time, the nuclear power plant on the shore of the city Fukushima became damaged and released some radioactive materials into the air and sea. The water was polluted with cesium 137 (¹³⁷Cs), a radioactive material having a half-life of 30 years.

The bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive materials released into the sea. These tuna fishes breed in the western Pacific and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Researcher D suspected that the tuna might have transported the radioactive material off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, the concentration of cesium radioisotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near the San Diego in August 2011were analyzed for the presence of cesium.

The yellowfin tuna reside in the California’s coastal water and they do not cross the Pacific. Therefore, the presence of cesium in yellowfin tuna was compared with bluefin tuna.

Refer to Fig. 48.9, “Radioactive (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California” in the question. From the figure, the bluefin tuna caught in 2011 have 6.3 Bq and 4 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively; whereas the bluefin tuna caught in 2008 have 1.4 Bq and 0 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively.

Therefore, the bluefin tuna caught after the Fukushima nuclear plant incident (2011) have a higher level of cesium radioactivity than the bluefin tuna caught before the incident (2008).

Conclusion

¹³⁴Cs radioisotope and a lower level of ¹³⁷Cs were found in the bluefin tuna caught in 2008; however, the tuna caught after the accident in 2011 contained a higher level of both radioisotopes.

Answer 8

Expert Solution & Answer

Summary Introduction

To determine: How the radioactive content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident).

Concept introduction: Bioaccumulation is the concentration of a pollutant inside an organism’s tissues causing the amount of the pollutants to increase over time. Trophic level also affects the pollutant concentration by the process of biological magnification The concentration of the chemical increases as the pollutant moves up the food chain. Bioaccumulation and biological magnification even in low concentrations (depending on toxic potential) can have detrimental effects on a species.

Explanation of Solution

The powerful earthquake occurred in the northeast coast of Japan in March 2011 caused tsunami that killed 15,000 people. During this time, the nuclear power plant on the shore of the city Fukushima became damaged and released some radioactive materials into the air and sea. The water was polluted with cesium 137 (¹³⁷Cs), a radioactive material having a half-life of 30 years.

The bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive materials released into the sea. These tuna fishes breed in the western Pacific and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Researcher D suspected that the tuna might have transported the radioactive material off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, the concentration of cesium radioisotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near the San Diego in August 2011were analyzed for the presence of cesium.

The yellowfin tuna reside in the California’s coastal water and they do not cross the Pacific. Therefore, the presence of cesium in yellowfin tuna was compared with bluefin tuna.

Refer to Fig. 48.9, “Radioactive (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California” in the question. From the figure, the bluefin tuna caught in 2011 have 6.3 Bq and 4 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively; whereas the bluefin tuna caught in 2008 have 1.4 Bq and 0 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively.

Therefore, the bluefin tuna caught after the Fukushima nuclear plant incident (2011) have a higher level of cesium radioactivity than the bluefin tuna caught before the incident (2008).

Conclusion

¹³⁴Cs radioisotope and a lower level of ¹³⁷Cs were found in the bluefin tuna caught in 2008; however, the tuna caught after the accident in 2011 contained a higher level of both radioisotopes.

Answer 9

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer 10

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer 11

Summary Introduction

To determine: How the radioactive content of the bluefin tuna caught in August of 2011 compare to that of bluefins caught in 2008 (before the Fukushima accident).

Concept introduction: Bioaccumulation is the concentration of a pollutant inside an organism’s tissues causing the amount of the pollutants to increase over time. Trophic level also affects the pollutant concentration by the process of biological magnification The concentration of the chemical increases as the pollutant moves up the food chain. Bioaccumulation and biological magnification even in low concentrations (depending on toxic potential) can have detrimental effects on a species.

Answer 12

Explanation of Solution

The powerful earthquake occurred in the northeast coast of Japan in March 2011 caused tsunami that killed 15,000 people. During this time, the nuclear power plant on the shore of the city Fukushima became damaged and released some radioactive materials into the air and sea. The water was polluted with cesium 137 (¹³⁷Cs), a radioactive material having a half-life of 30 years.

The bluefin tuna are among the fishes that were exposed to radioactive materials released into the sea. These tuna fishes breed in the western Pacific and some migrate to the Eastern Pacific when they are 1 to 2 years old. Researcher D suspected that the tuna might have transported the radioactive material off the coast of California. To test this hypothesis, the concentration of cesium radioisotopes (¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs) in bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna caught near the San Diego in August 2011were analyzed for the presence of cesium.

The yellowfin tuna reside in the California’s coastal water and they do not cross the Pacific. Therefore, the presence of cesium in yellowfin tuna was compared with bluefin tuna.

Refer to Fig. 48.9, “Radioactive (Cs) concentration in two species of tuna caught along the coast of California” in the question. From the figure, the bluefin tuna caught in 2011 have 6.3 Bq and 4 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively; whereas the bluefin tuna caught in 2008 have 1.4 Bq and 0 Bq of ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, respectively.

Therefore, the bluefin tuna caught after the Fukushima nuclear plant incident (2011) have a higher level of cesium radioactivity than the bluefin tuna caught before the incident (2008).

Answer 13

Conclusion

¹³⁴Cs radioisotope and a lower level of ¹³⁷Cs were found in the bluefin tuna caught in 2008; however, the tuna caught after the accident in 2011 contained a higher level of both radioisotopes.

Answer 14

Ch. 48 - Bioaccumlation in tuna Bluefin tuna are among the...Ch. 48 - Prob. 2DAA Ch. 48 - Prob. 3DAA Ch. 48 - Prob. 4DAA Ch. 48 - Prob. 1SQ Ch. 48 - Prob. 2SQ Ch. 48 - Prob. 3SQ Ch. 48 - Prob. 4SQ Ch. 48 - Prob. 5SQ Ch. 48 - With biological magnification, a ___ will have the...

Videos

Explanation of Solution

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Chapter 48 Solutions

Additional Science Textbook Solutions