Examination of Po - 210 in Halophila Stipulacea in Aqaba Gulf – Jordan

Manal J. Abdallah, Wesam M. Al Khateeb, Sajedah M. Alameer

Abstract

This study investigates whether the activity concentrations of polonium-210 (²¹⁰Po) in the seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forsk.) collected from different sites in the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea) can be used as an indicator of genotoxicity in the region. The research adopts a novel approach by employing seagrass as a natural bioindicator to explore the relationship between environmental radiation exposure to ²¹⁰Po and potential genetic damage in marine ecosystems.
Samples were collected from five sites characterized by different levels of anthropogenic activity in order to identify spatial patterns of radionuclide accumulation and associated environmental risks. The activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Po in Halophila stipulacea were determined using high-resolution alpha spectrometry. The results reveal clear spatial variability in ²¹⁰Po accumulation across the study area.
The highest activity concentration (mean ± SD) was recorded at the Old Phosphate Port (27.16 ± 1.52 Bq/kg), while the lowest value was observed at the Marine Science Station (12.44 ± 0.76 Bq/kg). Intermediate activity concentrations were measured at other industrially influenced sites, namely Big Bay (16.30 ± 0.97 Bq/kg), Tala Bay (20.10 ± 1.19 Bq/kg), and the Fertilizers Factory site (21.47 ± 1.41 Bq/kg).
The findings provide an overview of ²¹⁰Po accumulation in Halophila stipulacea within the Gulf of Aqaba and highlight its potential use as a bioindicator of environmental radioactive pollution. The observed spatial distribution of ²¹⁰Po may reflect varying degrees of anthropogenic impact and suggests a possible link between radionuclide exposure and genomic instability in the studied marine environment.

 

Keywords: Halophila stipulacea; Seagrass; Polonium-210; Environmental pollution; Alpha spectrometry; Genotoxicity.

 

DOI https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.52.12.15


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