Distribution, dynamics, and fate of radiocesium derived from FDNPP accident in the ocean

Otosaka, Shigeyoshi*  ; Kamidaira, Yuki   ; Ikenoue, Tsubasa  ; Kawamura, Hideyuki  

After the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), many oceanographic observations were carried out from various perspectives. Numerical simulations were also effectively applied to understand the distribution of radionunclides. By integrating these results, the dynamics of the accident-derived radionuclides in the ocean were highlighted. The transport processes of the accident-derived radionuclides to the ocean include (1) direct discharge to the ocean, (2) deposition in the ocean via the atmosphere, and (3) inflow from rivers after deposition to the land surface. In the case of Cs, one of major accident-derived radionuclides, most of the supply to the ocean immediately after the accident (8-21 PBq) was estimated to be due to processes (1) and (2). The amount of Cs accumulated on the seafloor is only about 1% (0.2PBq) of the amount carried to the ocean, but it remains in the sediments in the coastal area for a long period of time and gradually migrates to the seawater and ecosystems near the seafloor.