Development of a radiation survey device for a multipurpose unmanned surface vehicle

Sanada, Yukihisa; Miyamoto, Kenji*; Momma, Hiroyasu*; Miyazaki, Nobuyuki*; Nakasone, Takamasa*; Tahara, Junichiro*; Baba, Shoichiro*; Furuyama, Hiroki*

Marine Technology Society Journal, 55(5), p.222 - 230, 2021/09

https://doi.org/10.4031/MTSJ.55.5.19

Large quantities of volatile radionuclides were released into the atmosphere following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) accident in March 2011. To evaluate their effect on aquatic organisms and radiocesium behavior in the environment, the monitoring of radioactive cesium in the waterbed soil is important. We developed a dedicated radiation survey device that can both directly measure and collect some sediment samples. A comprehensive test was conducted using this device, which was installed in an unmanned surface vehicle at Fukushima offshore contaminated by radiocesium that resulted from the FDNPS accident. Consequently, the effectiveness of this device was confirmed because the measurement results of the sediment-core sample and in-situ radiation survey results show a good correlation. A successful application of this device in the time of post-nuclear facility accident is expected.