Characteristic of environmental microorganisms around Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Dotsuta, Yuma

There are a wide variety of microorganisms around us, such as the pedosphere and hydrosphere, as well as the human body surface and intestines. The radiation environment is no exception, and the presence of microorganisms has been reported after the severe accidents at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. At the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (1F), injection of seawater immediately after the accident and inflow of groundwater, and it is thought microorganisms have invaded the building from the surrounding environment. It is important to understand the characteristics of microorganisms that have invaded the building in risk management since decommissioning takes a long time. In this study, we conducted gene analysis and culture tests of environmental samples (soil and groundwater) collected from around the 1F and examined the characteristics of the microbial community. As a result, it was clarified that in the sample used in this study, a microbial flora centered on the redox of iron and the metabolism of lower hydrocarbons and sulfur was constructed.