Distribution and transport process of radiocarbon in the Japan Sea

Otosaka, Shigeyoshi  ; Suzuki, Takashi  ; Tanaka, Takayuki

It is considered that recent distribution of anthropogenic radionuclides in the Japan Sea was controlled by supply of the radionuclides due to the global fallout and seawater circulation of the interior of the sea, rather than by a specific nuclear facility/incident. The detailed transport processes, however, have not been elucidated at the present. In this study, the authors surveyed distribution of radiocarbon at 81 stations in the Japan Sea and traced the fate of anthropogenic radiocarbon. As a result, principal transport process of radiocarbon, such as (1) supply from the East China Sea, (2) northward transport at the surface according to the Tsushima Warm Current, and (3) vertical transport in the northwestern region, were confirmed. In addition, the amount of anthropogenic radiocarbon in the sea was estimated by using a simple box-model.