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Kang TW, Han YU, Na EH, Koo BJ, Park WP. Deposition of Fukushima nuclear power plant accident-derived radiocesium in the soils of Jeju Island, Korea, and evidence for long- and short-lived radionuclides in rainwater. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 264:128457. [PMID: 33059210 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the concentrations of Fukushima nuclear power plant accident (FNPPA)-derived radiocesium (134Cs, 137Cs) deposited in the topsoil of Jeju Island, Korea. We also evaluated the soil inventories of radionuclides and compared the concentrations deposited by rainwater and fallout. We present the first evidence of FNPPA-derived radionuclides directly entering the environment of Jeju Island. In the case of FNPPA-derived 134Cs in soil, only a trace amount was identified in the surface layer (1 cm depth), whereas 137Cs derived from past atmospheric deposition of nuclear testing were detected along with those derived from the nuclear power plant accident. The total measured radiocesium (134Cs + 137Cs) indicates that although the value obtained from soils was slightly lower, both values were within the same order of magnitude. Of the FNPPA-derived radiocesium deposited in the soil, the impact from April 2011 was the largest at most sampling sites indicating that the radioactive plume directly covered Jeju Island. Furthermore, a variety of long- and short-lived gamma-emitting radionuclides were detected in the rainwater samples collected on April 7, 2011. Among them, short-lived radionuclides such as 140La, 110mAg, 95Nb, 125Sb, 113Sn, 129Te, 129mTe, 132Te, 132I, and 136Cs, were observed. The findings of this study provide evidence for the direct effects of FNPPA-derived radionuclides in Jeju Island. This is the first location in Korea and the first in the entire East Asian region, excluding Japan that is confirmed to have been directly affected FNPP accident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Woo Kang
- Yeongsan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Gwangju, 61011, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young-Un Han
- Yeongsan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Gwangju, 61011, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hye Na
- Yeongsan River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Gwangju, 61011, Republic of Korea
| | - Bon-Jun Koo
- Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA, 92504-3297, USA
| | - Won-Pyo Park
- Major of Plant Resources and Environment, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea.
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Külahcı F, Bilici A. Advances on identification and animated simulations of radioactivity risk levels after Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident (with a data bank): A Critical Review. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-019-06559-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Koivurova M, Leppänen AP. Derivation and validation of a novel Semi Empirical Deposition Estimation Model (SEDEM). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 165:206-218. [PMID: 27770699 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Predictive models are necessary in order to minimize potential damages in the event of a nuclear or radiological release. For this reason, a novel model for the calculation of both wet and dry deposition from airborne radioactivity is proposed. Full derivation of the model and the estimation of uncertainty are presented, and the validity of the model is evaluated by calculating deposition based on several measured airborne activities in different countries. The results are compared with the corresponding measured deposition activities and the predictive power of the model is found to be good, i.e. calculated depositions being within the limits of measurement uncertainty. Additionally, limitations of the model and possible sources of error in the calculations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matias Koivurova
- University of Eastern Finland, Department of Physics and Mathematics, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101, Joensuu, Finland.
| | - Ari-Pekka Leppänen
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority - STUK, Environmental Surveillance and Measurement, Lähteentie 2, FIN-96400, Rovaniemi, Finland
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Hirose K. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant accident: Atmospheric and oceanic impacts over the five years. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 157:113-130. [PMID: 27032342 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant (FDNPP) accident resulted in huge environmental and socioeconomic impacts to Japan. To document the actual environmental and socioeconomic effects of the FDNPP accident, we describe here atmospheric and marine contamination due to radionuclides released from the FDNPP accident using papers published during past five years, in which temporal and spatial variations of FDNPP-derived radionuclides in air, deposition and seawater and their mapping are recorded by local, regional and global monitoring activities. High radioactivity-contaminated area in land were formed by the dispersion of the radioactive cloud and precipitation, depending on land topography and local meteorological conditions, whereas extremely high concentrations of (131)I and radiocesium in seawater occurred due to direct release of radioactivity-contaminated stagnant water in addition to atmospheric deposition. For both of atmosphere and ocean, numerical model simulations, including local, regional and global-scale modeling, were extensively employed to evaluate source terms of the FDNPP-derived radionuclides from the monitoring data. These models also provided predictions of the dispersion and high deposition areas of the FDNPP-derived radionuclides. However, there are significant differences between the observed and simulated values. Then, the monitoring data would give a good opportunity to improve numerical modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsumi Hirose
- Department of Materials and Life Sciences, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan.
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Mészáros R, Leelőssy Á, Kovács T, Lagzi I. Predictability of the dispersion of Fukushima-derived radionuclides and their homogenization in the atmosphere. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19915. [PMID: 26817513 PMCID: PMC4730138 DOI: 10.1038/srep19915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-range simulation of the dispersion of air pollutants in the atmosphere is one of the most challenging tasks in geosciences. Application of precise and fast numerical models in risk management and decision support can save human lives and can diminish consequences of an accidental release. Disaster at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has been the most serious event in the nuclear technology and industry in the recent years. We present and discuss the results of the numerical simulations on dispersion of Fukushima-derived particulate (131)I and (137)Cs using a global scale Lagrangian particle model. We compare concentrations and arrival times, using two emission scenarios, with the measured data obtained from 182 monitoring stations located all over the Northern Hemisphere. We also investigate the homogenization of isotopes in the atmosphere. Peak concentrations were predicted with typical accuracy of one order of magnitude showing a general underestimation in the case of (131)I but not for (137)Cs. Tropical and Arctic plumes, as well as the early detections in American and European midlatitudes were generally well predicted, however, the later regional-scale mixing could not be captured by the model. Our investigation highlights the importance of the parameterization of free atmospheric turbulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Róbert Mészáros
- Department of Meteorology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ádám Leelőssy
- Department of Meteorology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - István Lagzi
- Department of Physics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
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Aliyu AS, Evangeliou N, Mousseau TA, Wu J, Ramli AT. An overview of current knowledge concerning the health and environmental consequences of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 85:213-28. [PMID: 26425805 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Since 2011, the scientific community has worked to identify the exact transport and deposition patterns of radionuclides released from the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) in Japan. Nevertheless, there still remain many unknowns concerning the health and environmental impacts of these radionuclides. The present paper reviews the current understanding of the FDNPP accident with respect to interactions of the released radionuclides with the environment and impacts on human and non-human biota. Here, we scrutinize existing literature and combine and interpret observations and modeling assessments derived after Fukushima. Finally, we discuss the behavior and applications of radionuclides that might be used as tracers of environmental processes. This review focuses on (137)Cs and (131)I releases derived from Fukushima. Published estimates suggest total release amounts of 12-36.7PBq of (137)Cs and 150-160PBq of (131)I. Maximum estimated human mortality due to the Fukushima nuclear accident is 10,000 (due to all causes) and the maximum estimates for lifetime cancer mortality and morbidity are 1500 and 1800, respectively. Studies of plants and animals in the forests of Fukushima have recorded a range of physiological, developmental, morphological, and behavioral consequences of exposure to radioactivity. Some of the effects observed in the exposed populations include the following: hematological aberrations in Fukushima monkeys; genetic, developmental and morphological aberrations in a butterfly; declines in abundances of birds, butterflies and cicadas; aberrant growth forms in trees; and morphological abnormalities in aphids. These findings are discussed from the perspective of conservation biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu
- Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, P.M.B 1022 Keffi, Nigeria; Department of Physics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Baru, Malaysia.
| | - Nikolaos Evangeliou
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Department of Atmospheric and Climate Research (ATMOS), Kjeller, Norway
| | - Timothy Alexander Mousseau
- Environment and Sustainability Program, and Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States; Faculty of Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Junwen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Ahmad Termizi Ramli
- Department of Physics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Baru, Malaysia
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Evangeliou N, Balkanski Y, Florou H, Eleftheriadis K, Cozic A, Kritidis P. Global deposition and transport efficiencies of radioactive species with respect to modelling credibility after Fukushima (Japan, 2011). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 149:164-175. [PMID: 26254209 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study we conduct a detailed comparison of the modelling response of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident with global and local observations. We use five different model versions characterized by different horizontal and vertical resolutions of the same General Circulation Model (GCM). Transport efficiencies of (137)Cs across the world are presented as an indication of the expected radioactive impact. Activity concentrations were well represented showing lower Normalized Mean Biases (NMBs) when the better resolved versions of the GCM were used. About 95% of the results using the zoom configuration over Europe (zEur) remained within a factor of 10 from the observations. Close to Japan, the model reproduced well (137)Cs concentrations using the zoom version over Asia (zAsia) showing high correlations, while more than 64% of the modelling results were found within a factor of two from the observations and more than 92% within a factor of 10. Labile and refractory rare radionuclides calculated indirectly showed larger deviations, with about 60% of the simulated concentrations within a factor of 10 from the observations. We estimate that around 23% of the released (137)Cs remained into Japan, while 76% deposited in the oceans. Around 163 TBq deposited over North America, among which 95 TBq over USA, 40 TBq over Canada and 5 TBq over Greenland). About 14 TBq deposited over Europe (mostly in the European part of Russia, Sweden and Norway) and 47 TBq over Asia (mostly in the Asian part of Russia, Philippines and South Korea), while traces were observed over Africa, Oceania and Antarctica. Since the radioactive plume followed a northward direction before its arrival to USA and then to Europe, a significant amount of about 69 TBq deposited in the Arctic, as well. These patterns of deposition are fully consistent with the most recent reports for the accident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Evangeliou
- CEA-CNRS-UVSQ UMR 8212, IPSL/LSCE (Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement), L'Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
| | - Yves Balkanski
- CEA-CNRS-UVSQ UMR 8212, IPSL/LSCE (Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement), L'Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Heleni Florou
- NCSR "Demokritos", Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety (INRASTES), Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, 15310 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Eleftheriadis
- NCSR "Demokritos", Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety (INRASTES), Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, 15310 Athens, Greece
| | - Anne Cozic
- CEA-CNRS-UVSQ UMR 8212, IPSL/LSCE (Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement), L'Orme des Merisiers, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Panayotis Kritidis
- NCSR "Demokritos", Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety (INRASTES), Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory, 15310 Athens, Greece
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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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9
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Kılıç Ö, Belivermiş M, Gözel F, Carvalho FP. Radioactivity levels in mussels and sediments of the Golden Horn by the Bosphorus Strait, Marmara Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2014; 86:555-561. [PMID: 25023437 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Revised: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The Golden Horn is an estuary located in the center of İstanbul receiving freshwater discharges from two creeks and connecting to the Bosphorus Strait. Activity concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides were determined in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and sediments from the Golden Horn sampled in February 2012. Mean activity concentrations of (137)Cs, (40)K, (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (210)Po and (210)Pb in the mussels were determined at 1.03±0.23, 389±41.6, 2.61±1.23, not detected (ND), 91.96±37.88 and 11.48±4.85 Bq kg(-1), respectively. In sediments, it was observed that (137)Cs, (40)K, (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (210)Po and (210)Pb activity concentrations in<63 μm particle fraction of sediment were generally higher than those determined in mussels. Po-210 and (210)Po/(210)Pb ratios in mussels from the Golden Horn were much lower than in mussels from other coastal regions and this was related to low plankton productivity and eutrophication of the Golden Horn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Önder Kılıç
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Vezneciler, 34134 Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Murat Belivermiş
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Vezneciler, 34134 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Furkan Gözel
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Vezneciler, 34134 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fernando P Carvalho
- Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico/Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal
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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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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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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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Carvalho FP, Matine OF, Taímo S, Oliveira JM, Silva L, Malta M. Radionuclides and radiation doses in heavy mineral sands and other mining operations in Mozambique. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2014; 158:181-186. [PMID: 23956048 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nct202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Sites at the littoral of Mozambique with heavy mineral sands exploited for ilmenite, rutile and zircon and inland mineral deposits exploited for tantalite, uranium and bauxite were surveyed for ambient radiation doses, and samples were collected for the determination of radionuclide concentrations. In heavy mineral sands, (238)U and (232)Th concentrations were 70±2 and 308±9 Bq kg(-1) dry weight (dw), respectively, whereas after separation of minerals, the concentrations in the ilmenite fraction were 2240±64 and 6125±485 Bq kg(-1) (dw), respectively. Tantalite displayed the highest concentrations with 44 738±2474 Bq kg(-1) of (238)U. Radiation exposure of workers in mining facilities is likely to occur at levels above the dose limit for members of the public (1 mSv y(-1)) and therefore radiation doses should be assessed as occupational exposures. Local populations living in these regions in general are not exposed to segregated minerals with high radionuclide concentrations. However, there is intensive artisanal mining and a large number of artisanal miners and their families may be exposed to radiation doses exceeding the dose limit. A radiation protection programme is therefore needed to ensure radiation protection of the public and workers of developing mining projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando P Carvalho
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear (IST/ITN), Universidade de Lisboa, E.N. 10, 2686-953 Sacavém, Portugal
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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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Thakur P, Ballard S, Nelson R. An overview of Fukushima radionuclides measured in the northern hemisphere. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 458-460:577-613. [PMID: 23707866 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.03.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Revised: 03/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/30/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 resulted in the tragic accident at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and subsequently uncontrolled release of radioactive contaminants into the atmosphere. This review article attempts to compile and interpret data collected by various national and international monitoring networks in response to the Fukushima releases across the northern hemisphere. The majority of the releases occurred during the period March 12-22 with a maximum release phase from March 14-17, 2011. The radioactivity released was dominated by volatile fission products including isotopes of the noble gases (xenon and krypton), iodine, cesium, and tellurium. The radioactive gases and particles released in the accident were dispersed over the middle latitudes of the entire northern hemisphere and for the first time also measured in the southern Hemisphere. Isotopes of iodine and cesium were detected in air, water, milk and food samples collected across the entire northern hemisphere. Elevated levels of fission products were detected from March to May 2011 at many locations over the northern hemisphere. This article focuses on the most prevalent cesium and iodine isotopes, but other secondary isotopes are also discussed. Spatial and temporal patterns and differences are contrasted. The activity ratios of (131)I/(137)Cs and (134)Cs/(137)Cs measured at several locations are evaluated to gain an insight into the fuel burn-up, the inventory of radionuclides in the reactor and the isotopic signature of the accident. It is important to note that all of the radiation levels detected outside of Japan have been very low and are well below any level of public and environmental hazard.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Thakur
- Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center, 1400 University Drive, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA.
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Doi T, Masumoto K, Toyoda A, Tanaka A, Shibata Y, Hirose K. Anthropogenic radionuclides in the atmosphere observed at Tsukuba: characteristics of the radionuclides derived from Fukushima. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 122:55-62. [PMID: 23542231 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Revised: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
During a serious accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), a huge quantity of radionuclides was released into the atmosphere and ocean. We measured anthropogenic radionuclides in surface air at Tsukuba, about 170 km from the FDNPP. On March 15, 2011, we detected the radioactivity released from the Fukushima accident in air samples at Tsukuba. The major radionuclides that we observed were radioiodine ((131)I, (132)I, (133)I) and radiocesium ((134)Cs, (136)Cs, (137)Cs). This radioiodine consisted of gaseous and particulate forms; the percentage of particulate (131)I in the total (131)I ranged from 0 to 86%. The percentage of the particulate (131)I to the total (131)I increased on the arrival of the plumes from major emissions of the FDNPP. After activities of the radionuclides attained the maximum on March 15, 2011, the FDNPP-derived radionuclides decreased rapidly in surface air. The activity median aerodynamic diameter of (131)I-bearing particles was 0.7 μm, while those of (134)Cs- and (137)Cs-bearing particles were larger than 1 μm. Large variations of ratios of (131)I/(137)Cs, (132)Te/(137)Cs, and (99)Mo ((99m)Tc)/(137)Cs (all involving different elements) suggest that the behaviors of these radionuclides in the atmosphere, including the processes of their emission, differed each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taeko Doi
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan.
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Gudelis A, Gorina I, Nedveckaitė T, Kovař P, Dryak P, Suran J. Activity measurement of gamma-ray emitters in aerosol filters exposed in Lithuania, in March-April 2011. Appl Radiat Isot 2013; 81:362-5. [PMID: 23541789 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Two aerosol sampling stations in Lithuania were simultaneously used for assessing consequences of the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. The maximum activity concentrations of (129 m)Te, (131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs were 0.59 ± 0.06, 3.5 ± 0.3, 0.90 ± 0.08, 0.90 ± 0.07 mBq m(-3) at station #1 in Vilnius, and 0.29 ± 0.03, 1.0 ± 0.1, 0.41 ± 0.04, 0.41 ± 0.0 4 mBq m(-3) at station #2 in northeastern part of Lithuania, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gudelis
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Ionizing Radiation Metrology Laboratory, Savanorių Ave. 231, LT-02300 Vilnius, Lithuania.
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