101
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Yu W, He J, Lin W, Li Y, Men W, Wang F, Huang J. Distribution and risk assessment of radionuclides released by Fukushima nuclear accident at the northwest Pacific. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 142:54-61. [PMID: 25644751 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Revised: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In order to understand the impact of Fukushima Nuclear Accident (FNA) on the marine environment, seawater and a composite squid (Ommastrephe bartrami) sample were collected on the monitoring cruise XT01 during June 16-July 4, 2011. The concentration levels of Cesium-134, Cesium-137, Strontium-90, Silver-110 m, Cobalt-58 and Cobalt-60 were measured both for the seawater and squid samples. The elevated activity levels of Cesium-134 and Cesium-137 were found in the sampling area. Cesium-134 and Silver-110 m, which were usually undetectable before FNA, were also found in the squid sample, with the activity levels of 1.65 ± 0.13 Bq/kg-wet and 0.07 ± 0.01 Bq/kg-wet, respectively. The radiological assessment result showed that the radioactive release from the FNA would not have a significant adverse effect on marine biota at the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Yu
- Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Jianhua He
- Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Wuhui Lin
- Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yiliang Li
- Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Wu Men
- Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Fenfen Wang
- Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jiang Huang
- Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, China
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102
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Povinec PP, Hirose K. Fukushima radionuclides in the NW Pacific, and assessment of doses for Japanese and world population from ingestion of seafood. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9016. [PMID: 25761420 PMCID: PMC4356974 DOI: 10.1038/srep09016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Variations of Fukushima-derived radionuclides ((90)Sr, (134)Cs and (137)Cs) in seawater and biota offshore Fukushima and in the NW Pacific Ocean were investigated and radiation doses to the Japanese and world population from ingestion of seafood contaminated by Fukushima radionuclides were estimated and compared with those from other sources of anthropogenic and natural radionuclides. The total effective dose commitment from ingestion of radionuclides in fish, shellfish and seaweed caught in coastal waters off Fukushima was estimated to be 0.6 ± 0.4 mSv/y. The individual effective dose commitment from consumption of radioactive-contaminated fish caught in the open Pacific Ocean was estimated to be 0.07 ± 0.05 mSv/y. These doses are comparable or much lower than doses delivered from the consumption of natural (210)Po in fish and in shellfish (0.7 mSv/y). The estimated individual doses have been below the levels when any health damage of the Japanese and world population could be expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel P. Povinec
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katsumi Hirose
- Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan
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103
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Wai KM, Yu PKN. Trans-oceanic transport of 137Cs from the Fukushima nuclear accident and impact of hypothetical Fukushima-like events of future nuclear plants in Southern China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 508:128-135. [PMID: 25474170 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.11.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A Lagrangian model was adopted to assess the potential impact of (137)Cs released from hypothetical Fukushima-like accidents occurring on three potential nuclear power plant sites in Southern China in the near future (planned within 10 years) in four different seasons. The maximum surface (0-500 m) (137)Cs air concentrations would be reached 10 Bq m(-3) near the source, comparable to the Fukushima case. In January, Southeast Asian countries would be mostly affected by the radioactive plume due to the effects of winter monsoon. In April, the impact would be mainly on Southern and Northern China. Debris of radioactive plume (~1 mBq m(-3)) would carry out long-range transport to North America. The area of influence would be the smallest in July due to the frequent and intense wet removal events by trough of low pressure and tropical cyclone. The maximum worst-case areas of influence were 2382000, 2327000, 517000 and 1395000 km(2) in January, April, July and October, respectively. Prior to the above calculations, the model was employed to simulate the trans-oceanic transport of (137)Cs from the Fukushima nuclear accident. Observed and modeled (137)Cs concentrations were comparable. Sensitivity runs were performed to optimize the wet scavenging parameterization. The adoption of higher-resolution (1° × 1°) meteorological fields improved the prediction. The computed large-scale plume transport pattern over the Pacific Ocean was compared with that reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka-Ming Wai
- Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA; Department of Physics and Material Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Peter K N Yu
- Department of Physics and Material Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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104
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Tsuboi JI, Abe SI, Fujimoto K, Kaeriyama H, Ambe D, Matsuda K, Enomoto M, Tomiya A, Morita T, Ono T, Yamamoto S, Iguchi K. Exposure of a herbivorous fish to ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs from the riverbed following the Fukushima disaster. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 141:32-37. [PMID: 25500064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Ayu Plecoglossus altivelis, a herbivorous fish, is an important fishery resource and key component of the foodweb in many Japanese streams. Radionuclide contamination of this species is likely transferred to higher trophic levels, include humans, in the food chain. After the Fukushima accident in March 2011, ayu were exposed to highly contaminated silt while feeding on algae attached to the riverbed stones. To understand the route by which herbivorous fish are exposed to radionuclides, the activity concentrations of sum of (134)Cs and (137)Cs (radiocesium) were analyzed in riverbed samples (algae and silt) and in the internal organs and the muscle of ayu in five river systems in the Fukushima Prefecture between summer 2011 and autumn 2013. Although there was a positive correlation between the radiocesium activity concentrations in the muscle and the internal organs of ayu, the median activity concentration in the muscle was much lower than those in the internal organs. The activity concentrations of radiocesium in the riverbed samples and the internal organs and the muscle of ayu were correlated with contamination levels in soil samples taken from the watershed upstream of the sample sites. The results of the generalized linear mixed models suggest that the activity concentrations in both the internal organs and the muscle of ayu declined over time. Additionally, the activity concentrations in the internal organs were correlated with those in the riverbed samples that were collected around the same time as the ayu. The activity concentrations in the muscle were correlated with ayu body size. Our results suggest that ayu ingest (134)Cs and (137)Cs while grazing silt and algae from the riverbed, and a part of the (134)Cs and (137)Cs is assimilated into the muscle of the fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-ichi Tsuboi
- National Research Institute of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Agency, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1661, Japan.
| | - Shin-ichiro Abe
- Japan Sea National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Agency, Suido-cho, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8121, Japan
| | - Ken Fujimoto
- National Research Institute of Fisheries Science, Fisheries Research Agency, Fukuura, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-8648, Japan
| | - Hideki Kaeriyama
- National Research Institute of Fisheries Science, Fisheries Research Agency, Fukuura, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-8648, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ambe
- National Research Institute of Fisheries Science, Fisheries Research Agency, Fukuura, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-8648, Japan
| | - Keishi Matsuda
- National Research Institute of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Agency, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1661, Japan
| | - Masahiro Enomoto
- Fukushima Prefectural Inland Fishery Institute, Nagata-Higashinakamaru, Inawashiro, Yama, Fukushima 969-3283, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tomiya
- Fukushima Prefectural Inland Fishery Institute, Nagata-Higashinakamaru, Inawashiro, Yama, Fukushima 969-3283, Japan
| | - Takami Morita
- National Research Institute of Fisheries Science, Fisheries Research Agency, Fukuura, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-8648, Japan
| | - Tsuneo Ono
- National Research Institute of Fisheries Science, Fisheries Research Agency, Fukuura, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-8648, Japan
| | - Shoichiro Yamamoto
- National Research Institute of Aquaculture, Fisheries Research Agency, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1661, Japan
| | - Kei'ichiro Iguchi
- Nagasaki University, Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan
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105
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Długosz-Lisiecka M. Excess of ²¹⁰polonium activity in the surface urban atmosphere. Part (1) fluctuation of the ²¹⁰Po excess in the air. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2015; 17:458-464. [PMID: 25567523 DOI: 10.1039/c4em00389f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of (210)Pb, (210)Bi, and (210)Po in the urban atmosphere of Lodz city were measured from February 2010 to May 2010 and from May 2011 to April 2012. The seasonal changes in the activity ratios for (210)Po/(210)Pb and (210)Bi/(210)Pb indicated that the observed fluctuations were independent of the concentration of tropospheric (210)Pb and its decay products, particularly (210)Po. A simple calculation method was proposed for the estimation of the excess of (210)Po in urban aerosols in relation to the fraction of its activity formed from (210)Pb. On the basis of the results obtained, it was concluded that a substantial part of the (210)Po in urban air did not come from the decay of atmospheric (222)Rn, but rather it was from artificial sources. The highest levels of measured total (210)Po activity were observed during the winter period. This observation suggests that the main source of (210)Po in the investigated region could be related to anthropogenic emissions from domestic heating systems and local coal power plants, rather than from other sources, such as soil resuspension or stratospheric air intrusion as usually suggested in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Długosz-Lisiecka
- Technical University of Lodz, Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Wróblewskiego 15, 90-924 Łódź, Poland.
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106
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Zhang Z, Ninomiya K, Takahashi N, Shinohara A. Daily variation of I-131, Cs-134 and Cs-137 activity concentrations in the atmosphere in Osaka during the early phase after the FDNPP accident. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3752-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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107
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Evangeliou N, Balkanski Y, Cozic A, Hao WM, Mouillot F, Thonicke K, Paugam R, Zibtsev S, Mousseau TA, Wang R, Poulter B, Petkov A, Yue C, Cadule P, Koffi B, Kaiser JW, Møller AP. Fire evolution in the radioactive forests of Ukraine and Belarus: future risks for the population and the environment. ECOL MONOGR 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/14-1227.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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108
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Xu S, Zhang L, Freeman SPHT, Hou X, Shibata Y, Sanderson D, Cresswell A, Doi T, Tanaka A. Speciation of radiocesium and radioiodine in aerosols from Tsukuba after the Fukushima nuclear accident. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:1017-1024. [PMID: 25522224 DOI: 10.1021/es504431w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Aerosol samples were collected from Tsukuba, Japan, soon after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident and analyzed for speciation of radiocesium and radioiodine to explore their chemical behavior and isotopic ratios after the release. Most (134)Cs and (137)Cs were bound in organic matter (53–91%) and some in water-soluble fractions (5–15%), whereas a negligible proportion of radiocesium remained in minerals. This pattern suggests that sulfate salts and organic matter may be the main carrier of Cs-bearing particles. The (129)I in aerosol samples is contained in various proportions as soluble inorganic iodine (I(–) and IO3(–)), soluble organic iodine, and unextractable iodine. The measured mean (129)I/(131)I atomic ratio of 16.0 ± 2.2 is in good agreement with that measured from rainwater and consistent with ratios measured in surface soil samples. Together with other aerosols and seawater samples, an initial (129)I/(137)Cs activity ratio of ∼4 × 10(–7) was obtained. In contrast to the effectively constant (134)Cs/(137)Cs activity ratios (1.04 ± 0.04) and (129)I/(131)I atomic ratios (16.0 ± 2.2), the (129)I/(137)Cs activity ratios scattered from 3.5 × 10(–7) to 5 × 10(–6) and showed temporally and spatially different dispersion and deposition patterns between radiocesium and radioiodine. These findings confirm that (129)I, instead of (137)Cs, should be considered as a proxy for (131)I reconstruction.
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109
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Atmospheric Dispersion of Radioactivity from Nuclear Power Plant Accidents: Global Assessment and Case Study for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. ENERGIES 2014. [DOI: 10.3390/en7128338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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110
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Nagakawa Y, Sotodate T, Kinjo Y, Suzuki T. One-year time variations of anthropogenic radionuclides in aerosols in Tokyo after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant reactor failures. J NUCL SCI TECHNOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/00223131.2014.985279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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111
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Ramzaev V, Barkovsky A, Gromov A, Ivanov S, Kaduka M. Epiphytic fruticose lichens as biomonitors for retrospective evaluation of the (134)Cs/(137)Cs ratio in Fukushima fallout. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2014; 138:177-85. [PMID: 25244697 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In 2011-2013, sampling of epiphytic fruticose lichens of the genera Usnea, Bryoria and Alectoria was carried out on Sakhalin and Kuril Islands (the Sakhalin region, Russia) to investigate contamination of these organisms with the Fukushima-derived (134)Cs and (137)Cs. Activities of the radionuclides were determined in all 56 samples of lichens taken for the analysis. After correction for radioactive decay (on 15 March 2011), the activity concentrations ranged from 2.1 Bq kg(-1) (d.w.) to 52 Bq kg(-1) for (134)Cs and from 2.3 Bq kg(-1) to 52 Bq kg(-1) for (137)Cs. Cesium-134 and (137)Cs activities for the whole set of lichens (n = 56) were strongly positively correlated; Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated as 0.991 (P < 0.01). The activity concentrations of (134)Cs and (137)Cs in Usnea lichens from the Sakhalin and Kunashir islands declined with a factor of three in the period from 2011 to 2013. The average biological half-time for both cesium radionuclides in lichens of the genus Usnea is estimated as 1.3 y. The mean of 0.99 ± 0.10 and median of 0.99 were calculated for the decay corrected (134)Cs/(137)Cs activities ratios in the lichens (n = 56). The radionuclides ratio in the lichens did not depend on location of sampling site, species and the time that had passed after the Fukushima accident. The regression analysis has shown the background pre-Fukushima level of (137)Cs of 0.4 ± 0.3 Bq kg(-1), whereas the ratio between the Fukushima-borne (134)Cs and (137)Cs in the lichens was estimated as 1.04. The (134)Cs/(137)Cs activities ratio in lichens from the Sakhalin region is consistent with the ratios reported by others for the heavy contaminated areas on Honshu Island in Japan following the Fukushima accident. The activity concentrations of natural (7)Be in lichens from the Sakhalin region varied between 100 Bq kg(-1) and 600 Bq kg(-1); the activity concentrations did not exhibit temporal variations during a 2y-period of observations. The applicability of epiphytic fruticose lichens as retrospective bio-monitors for the air-borne radiocesium contamination of the environment is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Ramzaev
- Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after professor P.V. Ramzaev, Mira Str. 8, 197101 St.-Petersburg, Russia.
| | - A Barkovsky
- Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after professor P.V. Ramzaev, Mira Str. 8, 197101 St.-Petersburg, Russia
| | - A Gromov
- Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after professor P.V. Ramzaev, Mira Str. 8, 197101 St.-Petersburg, Russia
| | - S Ivanov
- Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after professor P.V. Ramzaev, Mira Str. 8, 197101 St.-Petersburg, Russia
| | - M Kaduka
- Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after professor P.V. Ramzaev, Mira Str. 8, 197101 St.-Petersburg, Russia
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112
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Evangeliou N, Balkanski Y, Cozic A, Møller AP. How "lucky" we are that the Fukushima disaster occurred in early spring: predictions on the contamination levels from various fission products released from the accident and updates on the risk assessment for solid and thyroid cancers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 500-501:155-172. [PMID: 25217754 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.08.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The present paper studies how a random event (earthquake) and the subsequent disaster in Japan affect transport and deposition of fallout and the resulting health consequences. Therefore, except for the original accident in March 2011, three additional scenarios are assessed assuming that the same releases took place in winter 2010, summer 2011 and autumn 2011 in order to cover a full range of annual seasonality. This is also the first study where a large number of fission products released from the accident are used to assess health risks with the maximum possible efficiency. Xenon-133 and (137)Cs are directly estimated within the model, whereas 15 other radionuclides are calculated indirectly using reported isotopic ratios. As much as 85% of the released (137)Cs would be deposited in continental regions worldwide if the accident occurred in winter 2010, 22% in spring 2011 (when it actually happened), 55% in summer 2011 and 48% if it occurred during autumn 2011. Solid cancer incidents and mortalities from Fukushima are estimated to be between 160 and 880 and from 110 to 640 close to previous estimations. By adding thyroid cancers, the total number rises from 230 to 850 for incidents and from 120 to 650 for mortalities. Fatalities due to worker exposure and mandatory evacuation have been reported to be around 610 increasing total estimated mortalities to 730-1260. These estimates are 2.8 times higher than previously reported ones for radiocaesium and (131)I and 16% higher than those reported based on radiocaesium only. Total expected fatalities from Fukushima are 32% lower than in the winter scenario, 5% that in the summer scenario and 30% lower than in the autumn scenario. Nevertheless, cancer fatalities are expected to be less than 5% of those from the tsunami (~20,000).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Evangeliou
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), CEA-UVSQ-CNRS UMR 8212, Institut Pierre et Simon Laplace, L'Orme des Merisiers, F-91191 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France.
| | - Yves Balkanski
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), CEA-UVSQ-CNRS UMR 8212, Institut Pierre et Simon Laplace, L'Orme des Merisiers, F-91191 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Anne Cozic
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), CEA-UVSQ-CNRS UMR 8212, Institut Pierre et Simon Laplace, L'Orme des Merisiers, F-91191 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 362, F-91405 Orsay Cedex, France
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113
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Bolsunovsky A, Dementyev D. Radioactive contamination of pine (Pinus sylvestris) in Krasnoyarsk (Russia) following fallout from the Fukushima accident. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2014; 138:87-91. [PMID: 25201085 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Following the Fukushima accident in March 2011, samples of pine trees (Pinus sylvestris) were collected from three sites near the city of Krasnoyarsk (Siberia, Russia) during 2011-2012 and analyzed for artificial radionuclides. Concentrations of Fukushima-derived radionuclides in the samples of pine needles in April 2011 reached 5.51 ± 0.52 Bq kg(-1)(131)I, 0.92 ± 0.04 Bq kg(-1)(134)Cs, and 1.51 ± 0.07 Bq kg(-1)(137)Cs. An important finding was the detection of (134)Cs from the Fukushima accident not only in the pine needles and branches but also in the new shoots in 2012, which suggested a transfer of Fukushima cesium isotopes from branches to shoots. In 2011 and 2012, the (137)Cs/(134)Cs ratio for pine needles and branches collected in sampling areas Krasnoyarsk-1 and Krasnoyarsk-2 was greater than 1 (varying within a range of 1.2-2.6), suggesting the presence of "older", pre-Fukushima accident (137)Cs. Calculations showed that for pine samples growing in areas of the Krasnoyarskii Krai unaffected by contamination from the nuclear facility, the activity of the Fukushima-derived cesium isotopes was two-three times higher than the activity of the pre-accident (137)Cs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bolsunovsky
- Institute of Biophysics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 50-50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk 660036, Russia.
| | - D Dementyev
- Institute of Biophysics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 50-50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk 660036, Russia
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114
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Evangeliou N, Balkanski Y, Cozic A, Hao WM, Møller AP. Wildfires in Chernobyl-contaminated forests and risks to the population and the environment: a new nuclear disaster about to happen? ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2014; 73:346-358. [PMID: 25222299 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Radioactive contamination in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia after the Chernobyl accident left large rural and forest areas to their own fate. Forest succession in conjunction with lack of forest management started gradually transforming the landscape. During the last 28 years dead wood and litter have dramatically accumulated in these areas, whereas climate change has increased temperature and favored drought. The present situation in these forests suggests an increased risk of wildfires, especially after the pronounced forest fires of 2010, which remobilized Chernobyl-deposited radioactive materials transporting them thousand kilometers far. For the aforementioned reasons, we study the consequences of different forest fires on the redistribution of (137)Cs. Using the time frequency of the fires that occurred in the area during 2010, we study three scenarios assuming that 10%, 50% and 100% of the area are burnt. We aim to sensitize the scientific community and the European authorities for the foreseen risks from radioactivity redistribution over Europe. The global model LMDZORINCA that reads deposition density of radionuclides and burnt area from satellites was used, whereas risks for the human and animal population were calculated using the Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model and the computerized software ERICA Tool, respectively. Depending on the scenario, whereas between 20 and 240 humans may suffer from solid cancers, of which 10-170 may be fatal. ERICA predicts insignificant changes in animal populations from the fires, whereas the already extreme radioactivity background plays a major role in their living quality. The resulting releases of (137)Cs after hypothetical wildfires in Chernobyl's forests are classified as high in the International Nuclear Events Scale (INES). The estimated cancer incidents and fatalities are expected to be comparable to those predicted for Fukushima. This is attributed to the fact that the distribution of radioactive fallout after the wildfires occurred to the intensely populated Western Europe, whereas after Fukushima it occurred towards the Pacific Ocean. The situation will be exacerbated near the forests not only due to the expected redistribution of refractory radionuclides (also trapped there), but also due to the nutritional habits of the local human and animal population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Evangeliou
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), CEA-UVSQ-CNRS UMR 8212, Institut Pierre et Simon Laplace, L'Orme des Merisiers, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
| | - Yves Balkanski
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), CEA-UVSQ-CNRS UMR 8212, Institut Pierre et Simon Laplace, L'Orme des Merisiers, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Anne Cozic
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), CEA-UVSQ-CNRS UMR 8212, Institut Pierre et Simon Laplace, L'Orme des Merisiers, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Wei Min Hao
- Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory, Rocky Mountain Research Station, United States Forest Service, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 362, F-91405 Orsay Cedex, France
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115
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Rasilainen TM, Rissanen K. Distribution of 137Cs in reindeer meat: A comparison of situations with high and low activity concentrations. RADIOCHEMISTRY 2014. [DOI: 10.1134/s1066362214060125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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116
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Walsh L, Zhang W, Shore RE, Auvinen A, Laurier D, Wakeford R, Jacob P, Gent N, Anspaugh LR, Schüz J, Kesminiene A, van Deventer E, Tritscher A, del Rosarion Pérez M. A framework for estimating radiation-related cancer risks in Japan from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident. Radiat Res 2014; 182:556-72. [PMID: 25251702 DOI: 10.1667/rr13779.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
We present here a methodology for health risk assessment adopted by the World Health Organization that provides a framework for estimating risks from the Fukushima nuclear accident after the March 11, 2011 Japanese major earthquake and tsunami. Substantial attention has been given to the possible health risks associated with human exposure to radiation from damaged reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station. Cumulative doses were estimated and applied for each post-accident year of life, based on a reference level of exposure during the first year after the earthquake. A lifetime cumulative dose of twice the first year dose was estimated for the primary radionuclide contaminants ((134)Cs and (137)Cs) and are based on Chernobyl data, relative abundances of cesium isotopes, and cleanup efforts. Risks for particularly radiosensitive cancer sites (leukemia, thyroid and breast cancer), as well as the combined risk for all solid cancers were considered. The male and female cumulative risks of cancer incidence attributed to radiation doses from the accident, for those exposed at various ages, were estimated in terms of the lifetime attributable risk (LAR). Calculations of LAR were based on recent Japanese population statistics for cancer incidence and current radiation risk models from the Life Span Study of Japanese A-bomb survivors. Cancer risks over an initial period of 15 years after first exposure were also considered. LAR results were also given as a percentage of the lifetime baseline risk (i.e., the cancer risk in the absence of radiation exposure from the accident). The LAR results were based on either a reference first year dose (10 mGy) or a reference lifetime dose (20 mGy) so that risk assessment may be applied for relocated and non-relocated members of the public, as well as for adult male emergency workers. The results show that the major contribution to LAR from the reference lifetime dose comes from the first year dose. For a dose of 10 mGy in the first year and continuing exposure, the lifetime radiation-related cancer risks based on lifetime dose (which are highest for children under 5 years of age at initial exposure), are small, and much smaller than the lifetime baseline cancer risks. For example, after initial exposure at age 1 year, the lifetime excess radiation risk and baseline risk of all solid cancers in females were estimated to be 0.7 · 10(-2) and 29.0 · 10(-2), respectively. The 15 year risks based on the lifetime reference dose are very small. However, for initial exposure in childhood, the 15 year risks based on the lifetime reference dose are up to 33 and 88% as large as the 15 year baseline risks for leukemia and thyroid cancer, respectively. The results may be scaled to particular dose estimates after consideration of caveats. One caveat is related to the lack of epidemiological evidence defining risks at low doses, because the predicted risks come from cancer risk models fitted to a wide dose range (0-4 Gy), which assume that the solid cancer and leukemia lifetime risks for doses less than about 0.5 Gy and 0.2 Gy, respectively, are proportional to organ/tissue doses: this is unlikely to seriously underestimate risks, but may overestimate risks. This WHO-HRA framework may be used to update the risk estimates, when new population health statistics data, dosimetry information and radiation risk models become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Walsh
- a BfS - Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Radiation Protection and Health, Neuherberg, Germany
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Arai T. Radioactive cesium accumulation in freshwater fishes after the Fukushima nuclear accident. SPRINGERPLUS 2014; 3:479. [PMID: 25210665 PMCID: PMC4159481 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (F1NPP) accident released large amounts of radioactive substances into the environment and contaminated the terrestrial and marine ecosystems in East Japan. The unpredicted nuclear accident is of global concern for human health and ecosystems. Investigations of radionuclides in the local environments were performed shortly after the accident began; however the temporal and spatial effects and variations in the released radionuclides on the natural environment remain unclear. In the present study, three-year (May 2011 to March 2014) fluctuations and accumulations of total Cs, (134)Cs and (137)Cs in freshwater fishes in Fukushima prefecture after the F1NPP accident were examined. The total Cs, (134)Cs and (137)Cs concentrations decreased gradually during the three-year period that followed the F1NPP accident. However higher levels, i.e., exceeding 100 Bq kg(-1), which is the interim limit of radiocesium level in Japan, were detected in several fish species. Radiocesium accumulation patterns in fishes in Fukushima prefecture varied between regions and corresponded to the environmental radiocesium levels in the Fukushima region. These radionuclides are widely distributed and remain in the natural environment. Moreover, a fresh input of radiocesium substances from the F1NPP site into the terrestrial environment remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaomi Arai
- Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Malaysia
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118
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Khan A, Semkow T, Beach S, Haines D, Bradt C, Bari A, Syed UF, Torres M, Marrantino J, Kitto M, Menia T, Fielman E. Application of low-background gamma-ray spectrometry to monitor radioactivity in the environment and food. Appl Radiat Isot 2014; 90:251-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2014.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Revised: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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119
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Koo YH, Yang YS, Song KW. Radioactivity release from the Fukushima accident and its consequences: A review. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2014.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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120
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Arai T. Salmon Migration Patterns Revealed the Temporal and Spatial Fluctuations of the Radiocesium Levels in Terrestrial and Ocean Environments. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100779. [PMID: 24964195 PMCID: PMC4071060 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The disabling of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (F1NPP) resulted in the release of radionuclides, including 134Cs and 137Cs, into the air and the ocean. The unpredicted nuclear accident is of global concern for human health and the ecosystem. Although investigations of radionuclides in environments were performed shortly after the accident started, the temporal and spatial impacts and fluctuations on the releasing radionuclides to natural environment remain unclear. I focused on salmon, which migrate from inland to the open ocean globally, to reveal the three-year (May 2011 to February 2014) fluctuations and accumulations of 134Cs and 137Cs from terrestrial to open ocean environments after the F1NPP accident. The 134Cs and 137Cs concentrations in six salmonids exhibited lower temporal variations for three years after the F1NPP accident, suggesting that these radionuclides are widely distributed and these radionuclides remain in the natural environment globally with less convergence. The accumulation patterns were significantly different among the different salmon species. Fluvial (freshwater residence) type salmons exhibited significantly higher accumulation in 134Cs (25.3–40.2 Bq kg−1 in mean) and 137Cs (41.4–51.7 Bq kg−1 in mean) than did the anadromous (sea-run) type salmons (0.64–8.03 Bq kg−1 in mean 134Cs and 0.42–10.2 Bq kg−1 in mean 137Cs) suggesting widespread contamination in terrestrial environments versus the coastal and open ocean environments. Salmonids are the most highly migratory animals and are characterised by their strong tendency to return home to their natal site for reproduction. Salmonids have a potential to be a good indicator as an effective monitoring animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaomi Arai
- Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
- * E-mail:
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121
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Worldwide isotope ratios of the Fukushima release and early-phase external dose reconstruction. Sci Rep 2014; 3:2520. [PMID: 24018776 PMCID: PMC3767953 DOI: 10.1038/srep02520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Measurements of radionuclides (RNs) in air made worldwide following the Fukushima accident are quantitatively compared with air and soil measurements made in Japan. Isotopic ratios RN:137Cs of 131I, 132Te, 134,136Cs, are correlated with distance from release. It is shown, for the first time, that both within Japan and globally, ratios RN:137Cs in air were relatively constant for primarily particle associated radionuclides (134,136Cs; 132Te) but that 131I shows much lower local (<80 km) isotope ratios in soils relative to 137Cs. Derived isotope ratios are used to reconstruct external dose rate during the early phase post-accident. Model “blind” tests show more than 95% of predictions within a factor of two of measurements from 15 sites to the north, northwest and west of the power station. It is demonstrated that generic isotope ratios provide a sound basis for reconstruction of early-phase external dose rates in these most contaminated areas.
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Simgen H, Arnold F, Aufmhoff H, Baumann R, Kaether F, Lindemann S, Rauch L, Schlager H, Schlosser C, Schumann U. Detection of (133)Xe from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in the upper troposphere above Germany. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2014; 132:94-99. [PMID: 24607612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
After the accident in the Japanese Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in March 2011 large amounts of radioactivity were released and distributed in the atmosphere. Among them were also radioactive noble gas isotopes which can be used as tracers to test global atmospheric circulation models. This work presents unique measurements of the radionuclide (133)Xe from Fukushima in the upper troposphere above Germany. The measurements involve air sampling in a research jet aircraft followed by chromatographic xenon extraction and ultra-low background gas counting with miniaturized proportional counters. With this technique a detection limit of the order of 100 (133)Xe atoms in liter-scale air samples (corresponding to about 100 mBq/m(3)) is achievable. Our results provide proof that the (133)Xe-rich ground level air layer from Fukushima was lifted up to the tropopause and distributed hemispherically. Moreover, comparisons with ground level air measurements indicate that the arrival of the radioactive plume at high altitude over Germany occurred several days before the ground level plume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardy Simgen
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Frank Arnold
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany; Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, D-82234 Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
| | - Heinfried Aufmhoff
- Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, D-82234 Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
| | - Robert Baumann
- Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, D-82234 Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
| | - Florian Kaether
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Lindemann
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ludwig Rauch
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans Schlager
- Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, D-82234 Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany.
| | - Clemens Schlosser
- Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, Rosastraße 9, D-79098 Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Schumann
- Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, D-82234 Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
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123
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Brown J. Assessment of radiation doses in the UK from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear accident. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2014; 34:N41-N46. [PMID: 24727407 DOI: 10.1088/0952-4746/34/2/n41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
PHE has undertaken a simple dose assessment for members of the public living in the UK at the time of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station in March 2011. PHE reported that there was no public health risk to the UK from the release of material from the accident in a statement made on 29 March 2013. This assessment confirms the initial estimate of the doses which were about the same as a person in the UK would receive in an hour from natural background.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Brown
- PHE-CRCE, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ, UK
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124
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Steinhauser G. Fukushima's forgotten radionuclides: a review of the understudied radioactive emissions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:4649-4663. [PMID: 24754713 DOI: 10.1021/es405654c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In environmental monitoring campaigns for anthropogenic radionuclides released in the course of the Fukushima nuclear accident (2011), most focus had been on gamma-emitting radionuclides. More than 99% of the released activity was due to radionuclides of the elements Kr, Te, I, Xe, and Cs. However, little work had been done on the monitoring of radionuclides other than (131)I, (132)Te, (134)Cs, (136)Cs, and (137)Cs. Radionuclides such as those of less volatile elements (e.g., (89)Sr, (90)Sr, (103)Ru, (106)Ru, plutonium), pure beta-emitters ((3)H, (14)C, (35)S), gaseous radionuclides ((85)Kr, (133)Xe, (135)Xe) or radionuclides with very long half-lives (e.g., (36)Cl, (99)Tc, (129)I, some actinides such as (236)U) have been understudied by comparison. In this review, we summarize previous monitoring work on these "orphan" radionuclides in various environmental media and outline further challenges for future monitoring campaigns. Some of the understudied radionuclides are of radiological concern, others are promising tracers for environmental, geochemical processes such as oceanic mixing. Unfortunately, the shorter-lived nuclides of radioxenon, (103)Ru, (89)Sr and (35)S will no longer exhibit detectable activities in the environment. Activity concentrations of other radionuclides such as tritium, (14)C, or (85)Kr will become blurred in the significant background of previous releases (nuclear explosions and previous accidents). Isotope ratios such as (240)Pu/(239)Pu will allow for the identification of Fukushima plutonium despite the plutonium background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Steinhauser
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
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125
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Zhang R, Zhang H, Hou X, Chai Z, Chen Y, Fan Y. 129I assessment reveals the impact of Fukushima incident on Dapeng Peninsula, Shenzhen, China. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3137-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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126
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Neroda AS, Mishukov VF, Goryachev VA, Simonenkov DV, Goncharova AA. Radioactive isotopes in atmospheric aerosols over Russia and the Sea of Japan following nuclear accident at Fukushima Nr. 1 Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in March 2011. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:5669-5677. [PMID: 24430499 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-2472-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Artificial radionuclides, such as iodine-131 ((131)I), cesium-134 ((134)Cs), and cesium-137 ((137)Cs), as well as natural isotopes of beryllium-7 ((7)Be) and potassium-40 ((40)K) have been registered in atmospheric aerosols over Vladivostok selected from 11 March to 17 June 2011. Additionally, (134)Cs and (137)Cs were detected in atmospheric aerosols over Tomsk selected from 16 March to 17 June 2011. Artificial radionuclides were also discovered in atmospheric wet depositions sampled in Vladivostok from 3 to 17 May 2011. Moreover, these radionuclides have been registered in atmospheric aerosols over the sea surface of the Sea of Japan selected from 3 to 31 May 2011 during an expedition of the "Nadezhda" sailing ship. From 18 March to 15 April, an increase in concentrations of atmospheric aerosols over Vladivostok from 108.8 to 321.5 μg/m(3) has been registered. It was accompanied by increased activity concentrations of (134)Cs, (137)Cs, and the (131)I. During the period from 18 March to 15 April, activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (134)Cs in atmospheric aerosols increased 100 times compared with the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) level and peaked in the weekly sample gathered from 8 to 15 April (145.0 and 105.3 μBq/m(3), respectively). Variability of concentrations of natural isotopes of (7)Be and (40)K was not greater than 1 order of magnitude throughout the sampling period. Maximal values of (137)Cs and (134)Cs concentrations (1,281.5 ± 141 and 384.4 ± 42.3 μBq/m(3), respectively) in Tomsk were reached in samples taken from 1 to 2 April. For the atmospheric aerosol samples from the Sea of Japan, the largest concentration of (131)I (392.3 ± 215.7 μBq/m(3)) was detected from 13 to 19 May, while all other samples had much lower concentration values. Synoptic analysis of back trajectories movement of air masses showed that the radioactive cloud came to Vladivostok from the regions of Siberia and northeastern part of China. Synoptic analysis for Tomsk showed that during the period of maximal activity concentrations (1-9 April), air masses were arriving from the European part of Russia and north of Kazakhstan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey S Neroda
- V.I.Il'ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, FEB RAS, 43, Baltiyskaya Street, Vladivostok, 690041, Russia,
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Shinonaga T, Steier P, Lagos M, Ohkura T. Airborne Plutonium and non-natural Uranium from the Fukushima DNPP found at 120 km distance a few days after reactor hydrogen explosions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:3808-3814. [PMID: 24621142 DOI: 10.1021/es404961w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Plutonium (Pu) and non-natural uranium (U) originating from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) were identified in the atmosphere at 120 km distance from the FDNPP analyzing the ratio of number of atoms, following written as n(isotope)/n(isotope), of Pu and U. The n((240)Pu)/n((239)Pu), n((241)Pu)/n((239)Pu), n((234)U)/n((238)U), n((235)U)/n((238)U) and n((236)U)/n((238)U) in aerosol samples collected before and after the FDNPP incident were analyzed by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). The activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (134)Cs in the same samples were also analyzed by gamma spectrometry before the destructive analysis. Comparing the time series of analytical data on Pu and U obtained in this study with previously reported data on Pu, U, and radioactive Cs, we concluded that Pu and non-natural U from the FDNPP were transported in the atmosphere directly over a 120 km distance by aerosol and wind within a few days after the reactor hydrogen explosions. Effective dose of Pu were calculated using the data of Pu: (130 ± 21) nBq/m(3), obtained in this study. We found that the airborne Pu contributes only negligibly to the total dose at the time of the incident. However the analytical results show that the amount of Pu and non-natural U certainly increased in the environment after the incident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taeko Shinonaga
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Radiation Protection , D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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128
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Evangeliou N, Balkanski Y, Cozic A, Møller AP. Global and local cancer risks after the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident as seen from Chernobyl: a modeling study for radiocaesium ((134)Cs &(137)Cs). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2014; 64:17-27. [PMID: 24361922 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Japan resulted in the release of a large number of fission products that were transported worldwide. We study the effects of two of the most dangerous radionuclides emitted, (137)Cs (half-life: 30.2years) and (134)Cs (half-life: 2.06years), which were transported across the world constituting the global fallout (together with iodine isotopes and noble gasses) after nuclear releases. The main purpose is to provide preliminary cancer risk estimates after the Fukushima NPP accident, in terms of excess lifetime incident and death risks, prior to epidemiology, and compare them with those occurred after the Chernobyl accident. Moreover, cancer risks are presented for the local population in the form of high-resolution risk maps for 3 population classes and for both sexes. The atmospheric transport model LMDZORINCA was used to simulate the global dispersion of radiocaesium after the accident. Air and ground activity concentrations have been incorporated with monitoring data as input to the LNT-model (Linear Non-Threshold) frequently used in risk assessments of all solid cancers. Cancer risks were estimated to be small for the global population in regions outside Japan. Women are more sensitive to radiation than men, although the largest risks were recorded for infants; the risk is not depended on the sex at the age-at-exposure. Radiation risks from Fukushima were more enhanced near the plant, while the evacuation measures were crucial for its reduction. According to our estimations, 730-1700 excess cancer incidents are expected of which around 65% may be fatal, which are very close to what has been already published (see references therein). Finally, we applied the same calculations using the DDREF (Dose and Dose Rate Effectiveness Factor), which is recommended by the ICRP, UNSCEAR and EPA as an alternative reduction factor instead of using a threshold value (which is still unknown). Excess lifetime cancer incidents were estimated to be between 360 and 850, whereas 220-520 of them will be fatal. Nevertheless, these numbers are expected to be even smaller, as the response of the Japanese official authorities to the accident was rapid. The projected cancer incidents are much lower than the casualties occurred from the earthquake itself (>20,000) and also smaller than the accident of Chernobyl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Evangeliou
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), CEA-UVSQ-CNRS UMR 8212, Institut Pierre et Simon Laplace, L'Orme des Merisiers, F-91191 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France.
| | - Yves Balkanski
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), CEA-UVSQ-CNRS UMR 8212, Institut Pierre et Simon Laplace, L'Orme des Merisiers, F-91191 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Anne Cozic
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), CEA-UVSQ-CNRS UMR 8212, Institut Pierre et Simon Laplace, L'Orme des Merisiers, F-91191 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 362, F-91405 Orsay Cedex, France
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129
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Shi E, Cui Y, Zhang Q, Li D, Li X, Yao S, Liu MH, Guo JQ. Radioactive impact of the Fukushima nuclear accident on Shenyang in the northeast of China. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2014; 34:223-229. [PMID: 24487274 DOI: 10.1088/0952-4746/34/1/223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Environmental monitoring was carried out in Shenyang in the northeast of China after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident which was caused by the earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011. The fission product radionuclide (131)I was detected as present in the atmosphere on the 20th day after the nuclear accident, while the radionuclides (134)Cs and (137)Cs were found in the atmosphere on the 27th day after the accident. The radionuclides (131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs continued to be present in the atmosphere for 25, 4 and 6 days, respectively, with maximum concentrations of 4.60 ± 0.2, 0.29 ± 0.06 and 0.42 ± 0.08 mBq m(-3). The contents of fission radionuclides in vegetables, drinking water and milk from Shenyang were below the detection limits. The atmosphere was slightly contaminated in Shenyang due to the Fukushima nuclear accident, but no contamination was detected in vegetables, milk and drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwei Shi
- Liaoning Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenyang 110005, People's Republic of China
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130
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Radiation dose rates now and in the future for residents neighboring restricted areas of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:E914-23. [PMID: 24567380 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1315684111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation dose rates were evaluated in three areas neighboring a restricted area within a 20- to 50-km radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in August-September 2012 and projected to 2022 and 2062. Study participants wore personal dosimeters measuring external dose equivalents, almost entirely from deposited radionuclides (groundshine). External dose rate equivalents owing to the accident averaged 1.03, 2.75, and 1.66 mSv/y in the village of Kawauchi, the Tamano area of Soma, and the Haramachi area of Minamisoma, respectively. Internal dose rates estimated from dietary intake of radiocesium averaged 0.0058, 0.019, and 0.0088 mSv/y in Kawauchi, Tamano, and Haramachi, respectively. Dose rates from inhalation of resuspended radiocesium were lower than 0.001 mSv/y. In 2012, the average annual doses from radiocesium were close to the average background radiation exposure (2 mSv/y) in Japan. Accounting only for the physical decay of radiocesium, mean annual dose rates in 2022 were estimated as 0.31, 0.87, and 0.53 mSv/y in Kawauchi, Tamano, and Haramachi, respectively. The simple and conservative estimates are comparable with variations in the background dose, and unlikely to exceed the ordinary permissible dose rate (1 mSv/y) for the majority of the Fukushima population. Health risk assessment indicates that post-2012 doses will increase lifetime solid cancer, leukemia, and breast cancer incidences by 1.06%, 0.03% and 0.28% respectively, in Tamano. This assessment was derived from short-term observation with uncertainties and did not evaluate the first-year dose and radioiodine exposure. Nevertheless, this estimate provides perspective on the long-term radiation exposure levels in the three regions.
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131
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Carvalho FP, Oliveira JM, Malta M. Exposure to radionuclides in smoke from vegetation fires. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 472:421-424. [PMID: 24295758 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Revised: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring radionuclides of uranium, thorium, radium, lead and polonium were determined in bushes and trees and in the smoke from summer forest fires. Activity concentrations of radionuclides in smoke particles were much enriched when compared to original vegetation. Polonium-210 ((210)Po) in smoke was measured in concentrations much higher than all other radionuclides, reaching 7,255 ± 285 Bq kg(-1), mostly associated with the smaller size smoke particles (<1.0 μm). Depending on smoke particle concentration, (210)Po in surface air near forest fires displayed volume concentrations up to 70 m Bq m(-3), while in smoke-free air (210)Po concentration was about 30 μ Bq m(-3). The estimated absorbed radiation dose to an adult member of the public or a firefighter exposed for 24h to inhalation of smoke near forest fires could exceed 5 μSv per day, i.e, more than 2000 times above the radiation dose from background radioactivity in surface air, and also higher than the radiation dose from (210)Po inhalation in a chronic cigarette smoker. It is concluded that prolonged exposure to smoke allows for enhanced inhalation of radionuclides associated with smoke particles. Due to high radiotoxicity of alpha emitting radionuclides, and in particular of (210)Po, the protection of respiratory tract of fire fighters is strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando P Carvalho
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139,7, 2695-066 Bobadela, LRS, Portugal.
| | - João M Oliveira
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139,7, 2695-066 Bobadela, LRS, Portugal
| | - Margarida Malta
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139,7, 2695-066 Bobadela, LRS, Portugal
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132
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Emission of spherical cesium-bearing particles from an early stage of the Fukushima nuclear accident. Sci Rep 2014; 3:2554. [PMID: 23989894 PMCID: PMC3757362 DOI: 10.1038/srep02554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fukushima nuclear accident released radioactive materials into the environment over the entire Northern Hemisphere in March 2011, and the Japanese government is spending large amounts of money to clean up the contaminated residential areas and agricultural fields. However, we still do not know the exact physical and chemical properties of the radioactive materials. This study directly observed spherical Cs-bearing particles emitted during a relatively early stage (March 14–15) of the accident. In contrast to the Cs-bearing radioactive materials that are currently assumed, these particles are larger, contain Fe, Zn, and Cs, and are water insoluble. Our simulation indicates that the spherical Cs-bearing particles mainly fell onto the ground by dry deposition. The finding of the spherical Cs particles will be a key to understand the processes of the accident and to accurately evaluate the health impacts and the residence time in the environment.
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133
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Steinhauser G, Brandl A, Johnson TE. Comparison of the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents: a review of the environmental impacts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 470-471:800-17. [PMID: 24189103 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 443] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The environmental impacts of the nuclear accidents of Chernobyl and Fukushima are compared. In almost every respect, the consequences of the Chernobyl accident clearly exceeded those of the Fukushima accident. In both accidents, most of the radioactivity released was due to volatile radionuclides (noble gases, iodine, cesium, tellurium). However, the amount of refractory elements (including actinides) emitted in the course of the Chernobyl accident was approximately four orders of magnitude higher than during the Fukushima accident. For Chernobyl, a total release of 5,300 PBq (excluding noble gases) has been established as the most cited source term. For Fukushima, we estimated a total source term of 520 (340-800) PBq. In the course of the Fukushima accident, the majority of the radionuclides (more than 80%) was transported offshore and deposited in the Pacific Ocean. Monitoring campaigns after both accidents reveal that the environmental impact of the Chernobyl accident was much greater than of the Fukushima accident. Both the highly contaminated areas and the evacuated areas are smaller around Fukushima and the projected health effects in Japan are significantly lower than after the Chernobyl accident. This is mainly due to the fact that food safety campaigns and evacuations worked quickly and efficiently after the Fukushima accident. In contrast to Chernobyl, no fatalities due to acute radiation effects occurred in Fukushima.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Steinhauser
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States.
| | - Alexander Brandl
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Thomas E Johnson
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
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134
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Murakami M, Ohte N, Suzuki T, Ishii N, Igarashi Y, Tanoi K. Biological proliferation of cesium-137 through the detrital food chain in a forest ecosystem in Japan. Sci Rep 2014; 4:3599. [PMID: 24398571 PMCID: PMC3884222 DOI: 10.1038/srep03599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Radionuclides, including (137)Cs, were released from the disabled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and had been deposited broadly over forested areas of north-eastern Honshu Island, Japan. In the forest, (137)Cs was highly concentrated on leaf litters deposited in autumn 2010, before the accident. Monitoring of the distribution of (137)Cs among functional groups clearly showed the role of the detrital food chain as the primary channel of (137)Cs transfer to consumer organisms. Although many studies have reported the bioaccumulation (or dilution) of radioactive materials through trophic interactions, the present results highlight the importance of examining multiple possible pathways (e.g., grazing vs. detrital chains) in the proliferation of (137)Cs through food webs. These results provide important insight into the future distribution and transfer of (137)Cs within forest ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Murakami
- Community Ecology Lab., Faculty of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Nobuhito Ohte
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Takahiro Suzuki
- Community Ecology Lab., Faculty of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Ishii
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Igarashi
- Community Ecology Lab., Faculty of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Keitaro Tanoi
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
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135
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Güngör E, Güngör N, Yüksel A, Bağ G, Orhan N. Fukushima radionuclides at air filter and rain water samples collected from Istanbul and their atmospheric removal time. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2014; 158:195-200. [PMID: 23962699 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nct205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) is one of the most serious accident in the world after Chernobyl accident. Following the continuing release of radionuclides in air after FDNPP, traces of fission products ((131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs) were recorded in the air filter and rain water samples collected from the ÇNAEM area at İstanbul on 4 April 2011. Airborne particle samples were collected daily in air filters and radio assayed with a high purity germanium detector. The fission products (131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs were measured with the maximum activity concentrations of 1.03±0.08, 0.25±0.03 and 0.23±0.03 mBq m(-3), respectively. For determination of the origin of the releases the (134)Cs/(137)Cs ratio was calculated between 1.09 and 0.85. The authors find removal times for (137)Cs of 8.13 d, (134)Cs of 7.25 d and (131)I of 6.82 d.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Güngör
- TAEK, Cekmece Nuclear Research and Training Centre, Altınsehir Yolu 5 km, Halkali, 34303 Istanbul, Turkey
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136
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Kim YH, Yiacoumi S, Lee I, McFarlane J, Tsouris C. Influence of radioactivity on surface charging and aggregation kinetics of particles in the atmosphere. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 48:182-189. [PMID: 24308778 DOI: 10.1021/es4047439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Radioactivity can influence surface interactions, but its effects on particle aggregation kinetics have not been included in transport modeling of radioactive particles. In this research, experimental and theoretical studies have been performed to investigate the influence of radioactivity on surface charging and aggregation kinetics of radioactive particles in the atmosphere. Radioactivity-induced charging mechanisms have been investigated at the microscopic level, and heterogeneous surface potential caused by radioactivity is reported. The radioactivity-induced surface charging is highly influenced by several parameters, such as rate and type of radioactive decay. A population balance model, including interparticle forces, has been employed to study the effects of radioactivity on particle aggregation kinetics in air. It has been found that radioactivity can hinder aggregation of particles because of similar surface charging caused by the decay process. Experimental and theoretical studies provide useful insights into the understanding of transport characteristics of radioactive particles emitted from severe nuclear events, such as the recent accident of Fukushima or deliberate explosions of radiological devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Ha Kim
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0373, United States
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137
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Leppänen AP, Mattila A, Kettunen M, Kontro R. Artificial radionuclides in surface air in Finland following the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 126:273-283. [PMID: 24161726 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Revised: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We present observations of radionuclides released during the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident in ambient air and in deposition made in Finland during March-May 2011. The first observed fission product was (131)I, which arrived in Finland 8-9 days after the accident. Detections of (137)Cs and (134)Cs were made 2-3 days after the first (131)I observations. The highest concentrations of fission products in Finland were observed during March 31st and April 1st. The highest observed concentrations of the following isotopes were: (131)I (10.6 ± 0.4 mBq/m(3)), (134)Cs (0.397 ± 0.020 mBq/m(3)), (137)Cs (0.405 ± 0.017 mBq/m(3)), (136)Cs (28 ± 2 μBq/m(3)), (129)Te (129 ± 9 μBq/m(3)), (129m)Te (234 ± 20 μBq/m(3)), (132)Te (51 ± 3 μBq/m(3)) and (132)I (54 ± 3 μBq/m(3)). Generally, higher concentrations of fission product were observed in Southern Finland than in Northern Finland. The variations in the (137)Cs and (134)Cs activity concentration data suggest that three separate plumes passed over Finland with decreasing concentrations. The first plume, with highest cesium concentrations, passed over Finland during March 31st - April 2nd, the second plume during April 4th - 6th and the third and smallest one during April 10th - April 11th. Both aerosol and gaseous iodine fractions were sampled simultaneously and thus an accurate view of the behaviour of aerosol and gaseous fractions was obtained. Large variations between different fractions were observed with the gaseous fraction representing 65-98% of the total (131)I. The (134)Cs/(137)Cs ratio was determined to be 0.99 ± 0.10, which indicates a fuel burnup of approximately 30 MWd/t. The (136)Cs/(137)Cs and (129m)Te/(132)Te ratios were used to estimate the time lapse after the accident. The differences between true time lapse and the ones deduced from the isotope ratios were from the correct time lapse to 0-3 days for (136)Cs/(137)Cs and 5 days for (129m)Te/(132)Te, respectively. Radionuclides from the Fukuhisma Dai-ichi nuclear power plant were also observed in deposition samples. In Norther Finland, the total deposition of 0.28-0.62 Bq/m(2) for (137)Cs and 0.21-0.57 Bq/m(2) for (134)Cs was determined during March-May 2011. For (131)I the deposition of 8.5 ± 2.9 Bq/m(2) was determined at Rovaniemi from the samples from the sample collected during April 1st - 12th.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari-Pekka Leppänen
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority - STUK, Lähteentie 2, FIN-96400 Rovaniemi, Finland.
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138
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Malá H, Rulík P, Bečková V, Mihalík J, Slezáková M. Particle size distribution of radioactive aerosols after the Fukushima and the Chernobyl accidents. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 126:92-98. [PMID: 23974074 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2013] [Revised: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/28/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Following the Fukushima accident, a series of aerosol samples were taken between 24th March and 13th April 2011 by cascade impactors in the Czech Republic to obtain the size distribution of (131)I, (134)Cs, (137)Cs, and (7)Be aerosols. All distributions could be considered monomodal. The arithmetic means of the activity median aerodynamic diameters (AMADs) for artificial radionuclides and for (7)Be were 0.43 and 0.41 μm with GDSs 3.6 and 3.0, respectively. The time course of the AMADs of (134)Cs, (137)Cs and (7)Be in the sampled period showed a slight decrease at a significance level of 0.05, whereas the AMAD pertaining to (131)I increased at a significance level of 0.1. Results obtained after the Fukushima accident were compared with results obtained after the Chernobyl accident. The radionuclides released during the Chernobyl accident for which we determined the AMAD fell into two categories: refractory radionuclides ((140)Ba, (140)La (141)Ce, (144)Ce, (95)Zr and (95)Nb) and volatile radionuclides ((134)Cs, (137)Cs, (103)Ru, (106)Ru, (131)I, and (132)Te). The AMAD of the refractory radionuclides was approximately 3 times higher than the AMAD of the volatile radionuclides; nevertheless, the size distributions for volatile radionuclides having a mean AMAD value of 0.51 μm were very close to the distributions after the Fukushima accident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Malá
- National Radiation Protection Institute (SÚRO), 140 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
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139
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Lujanienė G, Byčenkienė S, Povinec P. Fukushima radionuclides in Vilnius/Lithuania aerosols: Modelling of aerosol transport. Appl Radiat Isot 2013; 81:330-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.03.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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140
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de Vismes Ott A, Gurriaran R, Cagnat X, Masson O. Fission product activity ratios measured at trace level over France during the Fukushima accident. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 125:6-16. [PMID: 23548474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 02/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The nuclear accident of Fukushima Dai-ichi (Japan) which occurred after the tsunami that impacted the northeast coasts of Japan on March 11th, 2011 led to significant releases of radionuclides into the atmosphere and resulted in the detection of those radionuclides at a global scale. In order to track airborne radionuclides from the damaged reactors and to survey their potential impact on the French territory, the French Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire IRSN) set up an enhanced surveillance system to give quick results as needed and later give quality trace level measurements. Radionuclides usually measured at trace levels such as (137)Cs and in a very sporadic way (131)I were reported. Radionuclides that we had never measured in air since the Chernobyl accident: (134)Cs, (136)Cs, the mother/daughter pairs (129m)Te-(129)Te and (132)Te-(132)I, and (140)La (from the mother-daughter pair (140)Ba- (140)La) were also reported. Except the (131)I/(137)Cs ratio, activity concentration ratios were constant. These ratios could be used to help source term assessment, or as data for transfer studies realized after the passage of contaminated air masses, typically using the (134)Cs/(137)Cs ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- A de Vismes Ott
- Laboratoire de Mesure de la Radioactivité dans l'Environnement, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PRP-ENV/STEME/LMRE, Bois des Rames, Bât 501, 91400 Orsay, France.
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141
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Povinec P, Gera M, Holý K, Hirose K, Lujaniené G, Nakano M, Plastino W, Sýkora I, Bartok J, Gažák M. Dispersion of Fukushima radionuclides in the global atmosphere and the ocean. Appl Radiat Isot 2013; 81:383-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.03.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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142
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Remarks on representative ground-level air monitoring. Appl Radiat Isot 2013; 81:284-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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143
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Environmental radioactivity measurements in north–western Greece following the Fukushima nuclear accident. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-013-2527-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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144
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Steinmann P, Zeller M, Beuret P, Ferreri G, Estier S. Cosmogenic (7)Be and (22)Na in ground level air in Switzerland (1994-2011). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 124:68-73. [PMID: 23665565 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Revised: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/29/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We report monthly averages of weekly (7)Be and (22)Na concentrations in aerosol samples collected with high volume aerosol filters at 5 sampling sites in Switzerland from 1994 to 2011 ((7)Be) and from 2000 to 2011 ((22)Na). Monthly average concentrations of the two cosmogenic isotopes varied between 2600 and 4600 μBq/m(3) for (7)Be and between 0.2 μBq/m(3) and 0.5 μBq/m(3) for (22)Na. The (22)Na concentration in ground level air strongly increased from March to May, while a corresponding (7)Be increase was seen from March until July. The observed variations of the (7)Be and (22)Na activities together with the changes in the (7)Be/(22)Na ratio indicate input of stratospheric air between March and May, increased mixing of upper tropospheric air from June to August, and less exchange between the upper and lower troposphere in autumn and winter. Additionally, the 11-year solar cycle is clearly seen in the annual averages of the (7)Be concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Steinmann
- Federal Office of Public Health, Schwarzenburgstrasse 165, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland.
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145
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Potiriadis C, Anagnostakis MJ, Clouvas A, Eleftheriadis K, Florou E, Housiadas C, Ioannides K, Ioannidou A, Karangelos DI, Karfopoulos KL, Kehagia K, Kolovou M, Kritidis P, Manolopoulou M, Papastefanou K, Savva MI, Simopoulos SE, Stamoulis K, Stoulos S, Xanthos S, Xarchoulakos D. Environmental measurements and inspections on imported foods and feedstuffs in Greece after the Fukushima accident. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2013; 156:465-474. [PMID: 23604742 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nct094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The radionuclides released during the accident at the Fukushima Daichii nuclear power plant following the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011 were dispersed in the whole north hemisphere. Traces of (131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs reached Greece and were detected in air, grass, sheep milk, ground deposition, rainwater and drainage water. Members of Six Greek laboratories of the national network for environmental radioactivity monitoring have collaborated with the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and carried out measurements during the time period between 11 March 2011 and 10 May 2011 and reported their results to GAEC. These laboratories are sited in three Greek cities, Athens, Thessaloniki and Ioannina, covering a large part of the Greek territory. The concentrations of the radionuclides were studied as a function of time. The first indication for the arrival of the radionuclides in Greece originating from Fukushima accident took place on 24 March 2011. After 28 April 2011', concentrations of all the radionuclides were below the minimum detectable activities (<10 μBq m(-3) for (131)I). The range of concentration values in aerosol particles was 10-520 μBq m(-3) for (131)I, 10-200 μBq m(-3) for (134)Cs and 10-200 μBq m(-3) for (137)Cs and was 10-2200 μBq m(-3) for (131)I in gaseous phase. The ratios of (131)I/(137)Cs and (134)Cs/(137)Cs concentrations are also presented. For (131)I, the maximum concentration detected in grass was 2.2 Bq kg(-1). In the case of sheep milk, the maximum concentration detected for (131)I was 2 Bq l(-1). Furthermore, more than 200 samples of imported foodstuff have been measured in Greece, following the EC directives on the inspection of food and feeding stuffs.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Potiriadis
- Greek Atomic Energy Commission, Agia Paraskevi GR-15310, Greece
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146
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Masson O, Ringer W, Malá H, Rulik P, Dlugosz-Lisiecka M, Eleftheriadis K, Meisenberg O, De Vismes-Ott A, Gensdarmes F. Size distributions of airborne radionuclides from the fukushima nuclear accident at several places in europe. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:10995-11003. [PMID: 24001315 DOI: 10.1021/es401973c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Segregation and radioactive analysis of aerosols according to their aerodynamic size were performed in France, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, and Greece after the arrival of contaminated air masses following the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in March 2011. On the whole and regardless of the location, the highest activity levels correspond either to the finest particle fraction or to the upper size class. Regarding anthropogenic radionuclides, the activity median aerodynamic diameter (AMAD) ranged between 0.25 and 0.71 μm for (137)Cs, from 0.17 to 0.69 μm for (134)Cs, and from 0.30 to 0.53 μm for (131)I, thus in the "accumulation mode" of the ambient aerosol (0.1-1 μm). AMAD obtained for the naturally occurring radionuclides (7)Be and (210)Pb ranged from 0.20 to 0.53 μm and 0.29 to 0.52 μm, respectively. Regarding spatial variations, AMADs did not show large differences from place to place compared with what was observed concerning bulk airborne levels registered on the European scale. When air masses arrived in Europe, AMADs for (131)I were about half those for cesium isotopes. Higher AMAD for cesium probably results from higher AMAD observed at the early stage of the accident in Japan. Lower AMAD for (131)I can be explained by the adsorption of gaseous iodine on particles of all sizes met during transport, especially for small particles. Additionally, weathering conditions (rain) encountered during transport and in Europe in March and April contributed to the equilibrium of the gaseous to total (131)I ratio. AMAD slightly increased with time for (131)I whereas a clear decreasing trend was observed with the AMADs for (137)Cs and (134)Cs. On average, the associated geometric standard deviation (GSD) appeared to be higher for iodine than for cesium isotopes. These statements also bear out a gaseous (131)I transfer on ambient particles of a broad size range during transport. Highest weighted activity levels were found on the 0.49-0.95 μm and on the 0.18-0.36 μm size ranges in France and in Poland, respectively. The contribution from resuspension of old deposited (137)Cs was assessed for the coarse particle fractions only for the first sampling week.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Masson
- Nuclear Safety and Radioprotection Institute (IRSN), Laboratory for Continental and Marine Radioecological Studies (LERCM), BP 3 - 13115 St Paul lez Durance CEDEX, France
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147
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Xu S, Freeman SPHT, Hou X, Watanabe A, Yamaguchi K, Zhang L. Iodine isotopes in precipitation: temporal responses to (129)i emissions from the fukushima nuclear accident. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:10851-10859. [PMID: 24000802 DOI: 10.1021/es401527q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011 has released a large amount of radionuclides to the atmosphere, and the radioactive plume has been dispersed to a large area in Europe and returned to Asia. To explore long-term trend of the Fukushima-derived radioactive plume and the behavior of harmful radioiodine in the atmosphere, long-term precipitation samples have been collected over 2010-2012 at Fukushima, Japan for determination of long-lived (129)I. It was observed that (129)I concentrations of 1.2 × 10(8) atom/L in 2010 before the accident dramatically increased by ∼4 orders of magnitude to 7.6 × 10(11) atom/L in March 2011 immediately after the accident, with a (129)I/(127)I ratio up to 6.9 × 10(-5). Afterward, the (129)I concentrations in precipitation decreased exponentially to ∼3 × 10(9) atom/L by October 2011 with a half-life of about 29 days. This declining trend of (129)I concentrations in precipitation was interrupted around October 2011 by a new input of (129)I to the atmosphere following a second exponential decrease. Such a cycle has occurred three times until the present. This temporal variation can be attributed to alternating (129)I dispersion and resuspension from the contaminated local environment. A (129)I/(131)I atomic ratio of 16 ± 1 obtained from rainwater samples is comparable with a value estimated for surface soil samples. (129)I results from Denmark suggest an insignificant effect of (129)I released from Fukushima to the (129)I levels in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Xu
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Center , East Kilbride, G75 0QF, U.K
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148
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Zhang LY, Hou XL. Speciation analysis of 129I and its applications in environmental research. RADIOCHIM ACTA 2013. [DOI: 10.1524/ract.2013.2077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Summary
129I, a long-lived radionuclide, is important in view of geological repository of nuclear waste, and environmental tracing applications related to diverse natural processes of iodine. The environmental behaviors and bioavailability of 129I are highly related to its species. A number of methods have been reported for speciation analysis of 129I in a variety of environmental samples. These methods have been applied in many researches, including conversion processes of iodine species in marine and terrestrial systems, migration and retention of iodine in soil and sediment, geochemical cycling of iodine, as well as studies on atmospheric chemistry of iodine. This article aims to review these methods and their applications in environmental research.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Y. Zhang
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - X. L. Hou
- Center for Nuclear Technologies, Technical University of Denmark, Risø Campus, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
- Xi’an AMS Center, SKLLQG, Institute of Earth Environment, CAS, Xi’an 710075, China
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149
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Molchanova IV, Mikhailovskaya LN, Pozolotina VN, Zhuravlev YN, Timofeeva YO, Burdukovskii ML. Technogenic pollution of soil and plant cover in southern Primorye. RUSS J ECOL+ 2013. [DOI: 10.1134/s1067413613050111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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150
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Lou Y, Wan L, Ma Y, Li H, Meng Q, Kong Y, Zhu W, Wu D, Cui L. Survey on radioactive contamination in Beijing following the Japanese Fukushima nuclear accident. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2013; 33:661-668. [PMID: 23803226 DOI: 10.1088/0952-4746/33/3/661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The radioactive contamination in Beijing caused by the Japanese Fukushima nuclear accident was monitored. In this research, samples of air, rainwater, surface water and vegetables in Beijing were collected and measured to estimate the radioactive contamination levels in Beijing. During the period from the 15th to the 41st day after the first emission of radioactive material (first emission) from the Japanese Fukushima nuclear power station (NPS) on 12 March 2011, obvious radioactive contamination was found in the Beijing air samples. The maximum concentration of I-131 was 5.89 mBq m(-3) in the air samples detected on the 22nd day after the first emission, and the maximum concentration of Cs-137 and Cs-134 was found on the 20th day after the first emission. Except for one sample of rainwater, no artificial radionuclides associated with Fukushima were found in surface water. The measurement results showed that there was no harm to the health of local Beijing residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Lou
- Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100013, People’s Republic of China
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