Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

The dependence of 137Cs absorption by carp fish feed on the content of various types of Prussian Blue

Valerii Kashparov, Sviatoslav Levchuk, Alexandra Shvardak, Dmytro Kondratyuk, Maryna Zhurba
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Abstract

In the context of increased radioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystems following the Chornobyl accident, there is a clear need for a scientifically sound selection of feed additives to reduce 137Cs accumulation in fish. This study aimed to determine the optimal concentrations and types of Prussian Blue (PB)/hexacyanoferrates in feed, considering both their radiological effectiveness and economic viability. The research employed a wet granulation method for feeds, with the addition of ferrocin, potassium ferric hexacyanoferrate (KFCF), and ammonium ferric hexacyanoferrate (AFCF) at concentrations of 0.1% and 1%. This was followed by a series of batch experiments to measure the activity concentration of 137Cs and calculate the distribution coefficients over time. The results indicated that moistening the feed in an aqueous medium led to a three-fold increase in its mass within the first hour of contact, after which a steady state was achieved. For all types of PB, the 137Cs distribution coefficients consistently increased during the first 120 minutes, reaching 3.5-4.5 L/kg at 0.1% PB content and 5.6-6.2 L/kg at 1%. No statistically significant difference was recorded between the types of hexacyanoferrates, suggesting similar effectiveness for ferrocin, KFCF, and AFCF at the same concentration. However, it was established that increasing the concentration from 0.1% to 1% only doubled the effectiveness, which raises questions about the economic viability of such a step. The practical significance of the data obtained lies in the potential for using feeds supplemented with the most accessible forms of Prussian Blue to reduce the radioactive burden in fish farming, particularly in radioactively contaminated water bodies

Keywords

radiocaesium, hexacyanoferrate, countermeasure, radioactive contamination, freshwater fish, reduction factor

Suggested citation
Kashparov, V., Levchuk, S., Shvardak, A., Kondratyuk, D., & Zhurba, M. (2025). The dependence of 137Cs absorption by carp fish feed on the content of various types of Prussian Blue. Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 21(3),49-61. https://doi.org/10.31548/dopovidi/3.2025.49
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