Distribution of Na, K, Rb, Cs, and 137Cs in some Austrian higher fungi.

The level of 137Cs in 28 species of mushroom collected and analyzed between 1986 and 1992, after the Chernobyl accident, are reported. Xerocomus badius was found to accumulate 137Cs (the median value of 58 samples is 3667 Bq/kg). The 137Cs content of Rozites caperata, Scleroderma vulgare, and Tylopilus felleus exceeded 600 Bq/kg. Some of these samples collected in August 1992 were investigated for their 134Cs and 137Cs content as well as their Na, K, Rb, and Cs levels by applying instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results show a high correlation coefficient (0.80) between the contents of 137Cs and Na, but none between 137Cs and K.