Plutonium concentrations in waters from the southern Baltic Sea and their distribution in cod (Gadus morhua) skin and gills.

The concentrations of (238)Pu and (239+240)Pu in water samples and suspended particulate fractions, as well as in colloidal fraction from the southern Baltic Sea are presented. The (239+240)Pu concentration in surface seawater samples fall within range from 5.2 mBq.m(-3) for Gdańsk Bay to 150 mBq.m(-3) for Pomeranian Bay, most of which (from 52 to 96%) constituted filterable forms (</=0.45 microm). Also the distribution of plutonium in parts of cod gills and skin are presented and discussed. Over 60% of the plutonium in cod gills is accumulated in the gill arch, which suggests its metabolic origin. Most of plutonium associated with skin is in mucus, which suggests its adsorption from water.