Validation of underwater radiation monitoring detector

Ji, W.*; Lee, E.*; Ji, Y.-Y.*; Ochi, Kotaro; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Funaki, Hironori; Sanada, Yukihisa

Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 58(2), p.103933_1 - 103933_6, 2026/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2025.103933

We aimed to validate the performance of an in situ underwater radiation detector, MARK-U1 (Monitoring of Ambient Radiation of KAERI - Underwater), was used to estimate Cs activity concentration in river and reservoir sediment at predicted sites of contamination. Additionally, underwater core samples were collected to measure the radioactivity using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. To estimate radioactivity, a conversion factor was derived by comparing the measured spectrum and Cs activity in the sample. A Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) simulation was conducted to determine the effective source geometry for in situ measurement. The simulation results correlated well with the on-site MARK-U1 monitoring results, with a deviation of 31.62%. These findings validate the performance of the in situ detector. This device can therefore be used to estimate Cs activity concentration in the underwater sediment via on-site monitoring, without requiring sample collection.

Assessment of suspended sediment and Cs sources during the flood event in the Fukushima river using C and C

Nakanishi, Takahiro; Tsuruta, Tadahiko; Funaki, Hironori

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 7 Pages, 2025/07

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-025-10253-5

In this study, the radiocarbon isotope ratio, C, was used to identify the sources of suspended sediment and Cs discharged into rivers after the Fukushima nuclear accident. Suspended sediments were collected during the flood event and under normal water conditions to determine Cs concentrations, C, and stable carbon isotope ratios. The results indicated that the contribution of forest surface soil runoff increased during the flood peak. Furthermore, the distribution of Cs deposition in the watershed was reflected in temporal changes in suspended Cs concentration during the flood event. This approach provides a comprehensive understanding of both Cs and carbon dynamics.

Soil dust and bioaerosols as potential sources for resuspended Cs occurring near the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant

Ota, Masakazu; Takahara, Shogo; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Nagakubo, Azusa; Hirouchi, Jun; Hayashi, Naho; Abe, Tomohisa; Funaki, Hironori; Nagai, Haruyasu

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 264, p.107198_1 - 107198_15, 2023/08

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107198

One of the current major radiation exposure pathways from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident-fallout is inhalation of the re-suspended Cs occurring in air. While wind-induced soil particle resuspension has been recognized as a primary mechanism of Cs resuspension, studies following the FDNPP accident suggested that fungal spores can be a significant source of the atmospheric Cs particularly in the rural areas such as difficult-to-return zone (DRZ). To elucidate the relative importance of the two resuspension phenomena, we propose a model simulating resuspension of Cs as soil particles and fungal spores, and applied it to DRZ. Our model's calculation showed that soil particle resuspension was responsible for the surface-air Cs observed during winter-spring, but could not account for the higher Cs concentrations observed in summer-autumn. The higher concentrations in the summer-autumn were in general reproduced by implementing fungal spore Cs emission, that replenished low soil particle Cs resuspension in that period. According to our model's concept, Cs accumulation in fungal spores and high spore emission rate characterized by the rural environment were likely responsible for the abundance of spore Cs in the air. It was inferred that the influence of the fungal spores on the atmospheric Cs would last longer since un-decontaminated forests still exist in DRZ.

Evaluation of external dose exposure of workers during house demolition and dose reduction work in a difficult-to-return zone

Sanada, Yukihisa; Tokiyoshi, Masanori*; Nishiyama, Kyohei*; Sato, Rina; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Funaki, Hironori; Abe, Tomohisa; Ishida, Mutsushi*; Nagamine, Haruo*; Fujisaka, Motoyuki*

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai Wabun Rombunshi (Internet), 22(2), p.87 - 96, 2023/04

https://doi.org/10.3327/taesj.J22.011

Since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, many decontamination works have been carried out, but it is difficult to say that much data on workers' exposure has necessarily been analyzed in detail. In this paper, based on the GPS location information carried by the workers together with their personal dosimeters, the air dose rate in the work area and the characteristics of each type of work were analyzed. The results showed that more than 50% of the measured actual doses were more than twice the median planned dose calculated from the air dose rate and actual working hours. Furthermore, as a result of the analysis by work type, it was found that the exposure doses of demolition workers tended to be high, and that this was due to the fact that most of the work was carried out before the work was carried out to reduce the dose at the work site. In addition, when the conversion from air dose to effective dose was taken into account, there were many cases of underestimation where the planned values were lower than the measured values, and it is considered important for management to set appropriate working factor.

Validation study of ambient dose equivalent conversion coefficients for radiocaesium distributed in the ground; Lessons from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident

Ochi, Kotaro; Funaki, Hironori; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Iimoto, Takeshi*; Matsuda, Norihiro; Sanada, Yukihisa

Radiation and Environmental Biophysics, 61(1), p.147 - 159, 2022/03

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-022-00969-3

Characterization of radiocesium-bearing microparticles with different morphologies in soil around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

Hagiwara, Hiroki; Funaki, Hironori; Shiribiki, Natsu*; Kanno, Marina*; Sanada, Yukihisa

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 331(1), p.415 - 426, 2022/01

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-08061-8

Design, construction and monitoring of temporary storage facilities for removed contaminants

Saegusa, Hiromitsu*; Funaki, Hironori; Kurikami, Hiroshi; Sakamoto, Yoshiaki; Tokizawa, Takayuki*

Insights Concerning the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident, Vol.4; Endeavors by Scientists, p.170 - 187, 2021/10

https://doi.org/10.15669/fukushimainsights.Vol.4.170

Removed contaminants including soil, grass and trees are to be stored safely at temporary storage facilities for several years, after which they will be transferred to a planned interim storage facility. The decontamination pilot project was carried out in both the restricted and planned evacuation areas in order to assess decontamination methods and demonstrate measures for radiation protection of workers. Fourteen temporary storage facilities of different technical specifications were designed and constructed under various topographic conditions and land use. In order to support the design, construction and monitoring of temporary storage facilities for removed contaminants during the full-scale decontamination within the prefecture of Fukushima, technical know-how obtained during the decontamination pilot project has been identified and summarized in this paper.

Factors affecting Cs concentrations in river water under base-flow conditions near the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant

Nakanishi, Takahiro; Funaki, Hironori; Sakuma, Kazuyuki

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 328(3), p.1243 - 1251, 2021/06

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07735-7

To confirm factors affecting Cs concentration in river water after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, this study conducted monthly observations of nine rivers near the FDNPP from April 2017 to March 2018 under base-flow conditions. The annual mean dissolved and particulate Cs concentrations correlated well with the mean Cs deposition in the catchment. The normalized Cs concentrations in both phases by dividing by the mean Cs deposition in the catchment showed significant negative correlations with the Cs deposition ratio for forests. The inflow from the downstream plain areas increased the Cs concentrations near the FDNPP.

Evaluation of bioavailable radiocesium in the sediment in forest river and dam reservoir

Takechi, Seiichi*; Tsuji, Hideki*; Koshikawa, Masami*; Ito, Shoko*; Funaki, Hironori; Hayashi, Seiji*

Rikusuigaku Zasshi, 82(1), p.1 - 16, 2021/02

Since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011, soil minerals and organic matter including radiocesium have been deposited in the dam lakes near the nuclear power plant. There is concern that radiocesium will gradually leach from the lake bottom into the lake water, resulting in prolonged radioactive contamination of the freshwater ecosystems especially in downstream of the dams. In this study, we collected undisturbed sediment core samples at the center of the Yokokawa Dam lake in Fukushima Prefecture and suspended sediment in the inflowing river of the dam for 4 years and evaluated the amount of bioavailable form of radiocesium (exchanged, oxidized, and organic forms) in these samples by sequential extraction tests using the BCR method focusing on the temporal change.

Status of study of long-term assessment of transport of radioactive contaminants in the environment of Fukushima (FY2018) (Translated document)

Nagao, Fumiya; Niizato, Tadafumi; Sasaki, Yoshito; Ito, Satomi; Watanabe, Takayoshi; Dohi, Terumi; Nakanishi, Takahiro; Sakuma, Kazuyuki; Hagiwara, Hiroki; Funaki, Hironori; et al.

JAEA-Research 2020-007, 249 Pages, 2020/10

JAEA-Research-2020-007.pdf:15.83MB

The accident of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. occurred due to the Great East Japan Earthquake, Sanriku offshore earthquake, of 9.0 magnitude and the accompanying tsunami. As a result, large amount of radioactive materials was released into the environment. Under these circumstances, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been conducting "Long-term Assessment of Transport of Radioactive Contaminants in the Environment of Fukushima" concerning radioactive materials released in environment, especially migration behavior of radioactive cesium since November 2012. This report is a summary of the research results that have been obtained in environmental dynamics research conducted by JAEA in Fukushima Prefecture.