Linking combustion-derived magnetite and black carbon; Insights from magnetic characterization of PM in downwind East Asia

Nozomu, Tsuchiya*; Ikemori, Fumikazu*; Kawasaki, Kazuo*; Yamada, Rena*; Hata, Mitsuhiko*; Furuuchi, Masami*; Iwamoto, Yoko*; Kaneyasu, Naoki*; Sadanaga, Yasuhiro*; Watanabe, Takahiro; et al.

Environmental Science & Technology, 59(21), p.10400 - 10410, 2025/05

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c14187

Black carbon (BC) is a typical primary aerosol emitted from combustion. While its co-existence with iron oxides (FeO) has recently been reported, the extent of bias caused by FeO mixing to the BC observations is largely unknown. To identify the dominant FeO emission sources and associated overestimation of BC, magnetics properties of PM collected at a remote site in East Asia was investigated in combination with detailed isotopic and chemical analyses. Consequently, biomass burning events did not enhance aerosol magnetism as they did for the mass concentration of BC, whereas coal burning events coincided with periods of high magnetization. Therefore, magnetization/BC ratio is proposed as a highly selective indicator for identifying combustion sources (i.e. coal, oil or biomass burning).

Research plan on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste (Scientific program for fiscal year 2024)

Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Akiomi; Asamori, Koichi; Sueoka, Shigeru; Komatsu, Tetsuya; Nakajima, Toru; Ogata, Manabu; Uchida, Mao; Nishiyama, Nariaki; Tanaka, Kiriha; et al.

JAEA-Review 2024-035, 29 Pages, 2024/09

JAEA-Review-2024-035.pdf:1.24MB

This report is a plan of research and development (R&D) on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), in fiscal year 2024. The objectives and contents of this research are described in detail based on the JAEA 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028). In addition, the background of this research is described from the necessity and the significance for site investigation and safety assessment, and the past progress. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques.

Degradation of a lithium cobalt oxide cathode under high voltage operation at an interface with an oxide solid electrolyte

Ito, Kotaro*; Tamura, Kazuhisa; Shimizu, Keisuke*; Yamada, Norifumi*; Watanabe, Kenta*; Suzuki, Kota*; Kanno, Ryoji*; Hirayama, Masaaki*

RSC Applied Interfaces (Internet), 1(4), p.790 - 799, 2024/04

https://doi.org/10.1039/D3LF00251A

LiCoO is widely used as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries. However, the reversible capacity of LiCoO at high voltage is not well known because of the oxidative degradation of the electrolyte. In this study, a thin-film all-solid-state battery was fabricated with epitaxially grown LiCoO cathode and LiPO solid electrolyte as a model battery that operates stably at high voltages, ranging up to 4.6 V, without drastic degradation. However, the charge-discharge capacities of the battery decreased with cycling at 4.7 V. synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies revealed that LiCoO was deactivated via a change in its crystal structure to O1 type, with narrow interlayer distances, at 4.7 V. The reduced distance between the interlayers in the O1 structure possibly prevents the re-intercalation of Li ions, leading to irreversibility.

Arrangements for telephone consultation on radiation health effects in a nuclear emergency in Japan; Lessons learned from the nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan, 2011

Okuno, Hiroshi; Kawakami, Takeshi; Watanabe, Fumitaka; Horikoshi, Hidehiko*

Journal of Disaster Research, 18(8), p.911 - 917, 2023/12

https://doi.org/10.20965/jdr.2023.p0911

In response to residents' concerns about the radiation health effects following the nuclear accidents at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of the Tokyo Electric Power Company in March 2011, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) established a telephone consultation system. Eight toll-free telephone lines were prepared, and employees with knowledge of radiation health effects were assigned for consultation. Approximately 35,000 consultations were conducted from March 17, 2011, to September 18, 2012. The results of the text mining analysis revealed that the greatest source of anxiety was the impact on children's health from radiation. The JAEA's system for telephone consultation was improved following this telephone consultation experience. The description of telephone hotlines in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guide, GSG-14, was discussed for further improvements of the JAEA's telephone consultation system.

Be analysis of the rock samples from the northeastern shore of Lake Pumoyum Co in south Tibetan Plateau

Nara, Fumiko*; Watanabe, Takahiro; Kokubu, Yoko; Zhu, L.*

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, 539, p.28 - 32, 2023/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2023.03.007

Lake Pumoyum Co is located on the south Tibetan Plateau. The lake terraces are developed on the eastern lake shore, and it supposed that the large lake level changes would have happened in Pumoyum Co. The in-situ terrestrial cosmogenic adionuclides can be used to estimate the earth surface processes, such as the erosion rate and exposure age dating of rocks. Here we report the results of Be values of the rock samples from the lake terraces around Pumoyum Co. The concentrations of Be were measured by the JAEA-AMS-TONO-5MV in the Tono Geoscience Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The Be concentrations ranged from 3.78 to 10.810 (atoms/g), but the Be values showed the decreasing trend following to the distance from the lake shore. This result indicates that Be values of the rocks at the shore of Pumoyum Co could be influenced from the erosion rate or tectonic process rather than the exposure date resulting from the lake level changes.

Design and actual performance of J-PARC 3 GeV rapid cycling synchrotron for high-intensity operation

Yamamoto, Kazami; Kinsho, Michikazu; Hayashi, Naoki; Saha, P. K.; Tamura, Fumihiko; Yamamoto, Masanobu; Tani, Norio; Takayanagi, Tomohiro; Kamiya, Junichiro; Shobuda, Yoshihiro; et al.

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 59(9), p.1174 - 1205, 2022/09

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2022.2038301

In the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex, the purpose of the 3 GeV rapid cycling synchrotron (RCS) is to accelerate a 1 MW, high-intensity proton beam. To achieve beam operation at a repetition rate of 25 Hz at high intensities, the RCS was elaborately designed. After starting the RCS operation, we carefully verified the validity of its design and made certain improvements to establish a reliable operation at higher power as possible. Consequently, we demonstrated beam operation at a high power, namely, 1 MW. We then summarized the design, actual performance, and improvements of the RCS to achieve a 1 MW beam.

Late-Holocene salinity changes in Lake Ogawara, Pacific coast of northeast Japan, related to sea-level fall inferred from sedimentary geochemical signatures

Nara, Fumiko*; Watanabe, Takahiro; Matsunaka, Tetsuya*; Yamasaki, Shinichi*; Tsuchiya, Noriyoshi*; Seto, Koji*; Yamada, Kazuyoshi*; Yasuda, Yoshinori*

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 592, p.110907_1 - 110907_11, 2022/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.110907

Radiocarbon dating, tephrochronology, and geochemical signatures such as bromine (Br), iodine (I), total sulfur (TS), total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN) in a continuous sediment core (OG12-2) were applied to estimate past salinity change on the Lake Ogawara, Pacific coast of northeast Japan. Since the Lake Ogawara was the inner bay of the Pacific Ocean and became the brackish lake in the late Holocene, clarifying the past salinity change on the lake Ogawara could give us important insight into the past sea level changes of the Pacific Ocean. The core OG12-2 has two tephra layers, the Towada eruption and the Changbaishan eruption (B-Tm: AD 946). The age model for the core OG12-2 was established using the radiocarbon measurements of the plant residues in the core, also was constrained by the B-Tm tephra. Depletions of marine-derived elements (Br, I, and TS), from 88.4 to 64.2 mg/kg, 20.0 to 14.1 mg/kg, and 3.1 to 1.1 mass %, respectively, were observed in the layers with 2200-2000 cal BP. These results indicate paleosalinity changes from saline (inner bay) to brackish conditions within Lake Ogawara caused by sea level fluctuations during the late Holocene.

Multilayered lamellar materials and thin films by instant self-assembly of amphiphilic random copolymers

Ikami, Takaya*; Watanabe, Yuki*; Ogawa, Hiroki*; Takenaka, Mikihito*; Yamada, Norifumi*; Ouchi, Makoto*; Aoki, Hiroyuki; Terashima, Takaya*

ACS Macro Letters (Internet), 10(12), p.1524 - 1528, 2021/12

https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00571

An Effect of forest floor condition on radiocesium outflow in mountainous forest of Fukushima, Japan

Niizato, Tadafumi; Sasaki, Yoshito; Watanabe, Takayoshi; Amamiya, Hiroki*

Dai-31-Kai Shakai Chishitsugaku Shimpojiumu Rombunshu, p.19 - 22, 2021/11

A three-year monitoring of Cs outflow associated with soil erosion from decontaminated and burnt sites using an experimental plot was conducted in a mountainous forest of Fukushima, Japan. Corresponding with recovery of the forest floor cover, such as undergrowth and litter layer, the Cs outflow during the monitoring period in the rainy season of Fukushima decreased from 3.24% to 0.61% and 2.79% to 0.03% in the decontaminated and burnt sites, respectively. The forest floor cover ratio of 60% or more is a threshold for an effect on the Cs outflow in the monitoring sites. In the burnt site, a change of dominant outflowed materials from soil particles into litter and its fragments also contributes to the decreasing in the Cs outflow. A protective function of forest floor cover against the soil erosion inherent in the natural forest environment is effective for the migration control of the Cs outflow.

Carrying-out of whole nuclear fuel materials in Plutonium Research Building No.1

Inagawa, Jun; Kitatsuji, Yoshihiro; Otobe, Haruyoshi; Nakada, Masami; Takano, Masahide; Akie, Hiroshi; Shimizu, Osamu; Komuro, Michiyasu; Oura, Hirofumi*; Nagai, Isao*; et al.

JAEA-Technology 2021-001, 144 Pages, 2021/08

JAEA-Technology-2021-001.pdf:12.98MB

Plutonium Research Building No.1 (Pu1) was qualified as a facility to decommission, and preparatory operations for decommission were worked by the research groups users and the facility managers of Pu1. The operation of transportation of whole nuclear materials in Pu1 to Back-end Cycle Key Element Research Facility (BECKY) completed at Dec. 2020. In the operation included evaluation of criticality safety for changing permission of the license for use nuclear fuel materials in BECKY, cask of the transportation, the registration request of the cask at the institute, the test transportation, formulation of plan for whole nuclear materials transportation, and the main transportation. This report circumstantially shows all of those process to help prospective decommission.