Detection and temporal variation of Co in the digestive glands of the common octopus, , in the East China Sea

Morita, Takami*; Otosaka, Shigeyoshi  ; Fujimoto, Ken*; Nishiuchi, Ko*; Kimoto, Katsunori*; Yamada, Haruya*; Kasai, Hiromi*; Minakawa, Masayuki*; Yoshida, Katsuhiko*

Significant concentrations of Co, Cs and Ag were detected in common octopus specimens collected in the East China Sea during two periods, 1986-1989 and 1996-2005. The radionuclides detected in the former period were thought to originate from the global fallout. On the other hand, the source of Co in the latter period has remained unclear because the Co concentration decreased continuously with shorter half-lives than the physical half-lives. This tendency suggests that the source of Co in 1996-2005 was identical and was temporary supplied to the East China Sea. Investigations of common octopus in the other area indicated that the origin of the pollutant source of Co in 1996-2005 occurred locally in the restricted area in the East China Sea rather than in the coastal area of Japan.