The Formation mechanism of radiocesium-bearing microparticles derived from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant using electron microscopy

Hagiwara, Hiroki  ; Kondo, Keietsu  ; Hidaka, Akihide   

Radiocesium-bearing microparticles (CsMPs) were released from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant during the 2011 accident. We examined the CsMP formation process by analyzing Type-A particles and conducting in situ glass fiber experiments. The results demonstrated that heating glass fibers to 450C - 800C formed spherical particles, their morphologies and elemental compositions were similar to those of actual CsMPs. The mock-up particles size was strongly dependent on the glass-fiber thickness. Our findings reveal that glass fibers can form microparticles after being exposed to high temperatures.