Speciation of cesium in tree tissues and its implication for uptake and translocation of radiocesium in tree bodies

Tanaka, Kazuya; Kanasashi, Tsutomu*; Takenaka, Chisato*; Takahashi, Yoshio*

Science of the Total Environment, 755(Part 2), p.142598_1 - 142598_8, 2021/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142598

In this study, we investigated coordination structures of Cs in Cs-doped bark, sapwood, heartwood, needle, and branch samples of trees collected in Fukushima by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. We examined four representative tree species in Fukushima, , , , and . EXAFS spectra suggested that Cs was adsorbed as an outer-sphere complex on all parts of the four species, with electrostatic binding to negatively charged functional groups in components of tree tissues. These results were supported by extraction experiments where most of the sorbed Cs was desorbed from all parts of each tree species using 1 M CHCOONH.

A Unique high natural background radiation area; Dose assessment and perspectives

Hosoda, Masahiro*; Nugraha, E. D.*; Akata, Naofumi*; Yamada, Ryohei; Tamakuma, Yuki*; Sasaki, Michiya*; Kelleher, K.*; Yoshinaga, Shinji*; Suzuki, Takahito*; Rattanapongs, C. P.*; et al.

Science of the Total Environment, 750, p.142346_1 - 142346_11, 2021/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142346

The biological effects of low dose-rate radiation exposures on humans remains unknown. In fact, the Japanese nation still struggles with this issue after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Recently, we have found a unique area in Indonesia where naturally high radiation levels are present, resulting in chronic low dose-rate radiation exposures. We aimed to estimate the comprehensive dose due to internal and external exposures at the particularly high natural radiation area, and to discuss the enhancement mechanism of radon. A car-borne survey was conducted to estimate the external doses from terrestrial radiation. Indoor radon measurements were made in 47 dwellings over three to five months, covering the two typical seasons, to estimate the internal doses. Atmospheric radon gases were simultaneously collected at several heights to evaluate the vertical distribution. The absorbed dose rates in air in the study area vary widely between 50 nGy h and 1109 nGy h. Indoor radon concentrations ranged from 124 Bq m to 1015 Bq m. That is, the indoor radon concentrations measured exceed the reference levels of 100 Bq m recommended by the World Health Organization. Furthermore, the outdoor radon concentrations measured were comparable to the high indoor radon concentrations. The annual effective dose due to external and internal exposures in the study area was estimated to be 27 mSv using the median values. It was found that many residents are receiving radiation exposure from natural radionuclides over the dose limit for occupational exposure to radiation workers. This enhanced outdoor radon concentration might be as a result of the stable atmospheric conditions generated at an exceptionally low altitude. Our findings suggest that this area provides a unique opportunity to conduct an epidemiological study related to health effects due to chronic low dose-rate radiation exposure.

Key factors controlling radiocesium sorption and fixation in river sediments around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, 1; Insights from sediment properties and radiocesium distributions

Tachi, Yukio; Sato, Tomofumi*; Akagi, Yosuke*; Kawamura, Makoto*; Nakane, Hideji*; Terashima, Motoki; Fujiwara, Kenso; Iijima, Kazuki

Science of the Total Environment, 724, p.138098_1 - 138098_11, 2020/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138098

To understand and predict radiocesium transport behaviors in the environment, highly contaminated sediments from Ukedo and Odaka rivers around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant were investigated systematically focusing on key factors controlling radiocesium sorption and fixation, including particle size, clay mineralogy and organic matter.

Processes affecting land-surface dynamics of I impacted by atmospheric I releases from a spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant

Ota, Masakazu; Terada, Hiroaki; Hasegawa, Hidenao*; Kakiuchi, Hideki*

Science of the Total Environment, 704, p.135319_1 - 135319_15, 2020/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135319

Land-surface transfers of I are modeled and incorporated into a land-surface model (SOLVEG-II), and the model was applied to the observed transfer of I at a vegetated field impacted by atmospheric releases of I from Rokkasho reprocessing plant during 2007 to investigate the importance of each I-transfer pathway. The model calculation revealed that contamination of leaves of wild bamboo grasses was mostly caused by foliar adsorption of I (81%) induced via wet deposition of I. Wet deposition of I was the main I-input to the soil, ten-fold the dry deposition of I; however, the deposition of I during 2007 was only 2% of the model-assumed I that pre-existed in the soil; indicating the importance of long-term accumulation of I in soils. The model calculation also revealed that root uptake of I, not methylation, control the long-term turnover of soil I.

Nagasaki sediments reveal that long-term fate of plutonium is controlled by select organic matter moieties

Lin, P.*; Xu, C.*; Kaplan, D. I.*; Chen, H.*; Yeager, C. M.*; Xing, W.*; Sun, L.*; Schwehr, K. A.*; Yamazaki, Hideo*; Kokubu, Yoko; et al.

Science of the Total Environment, 678, p.409 - 418, 2019/08

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.375

Nagasaki sediments containing bomb-derived Pu provided a unique opportunity to explore the long term geochemical behavior of Pu. Through a combination of selective extractions and molecular characterization via electrospray ionization Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, we determined that 55 3% of the Pu was preferentially associated with more persistent organic matter compounds in Nagasaki sediments, particularly those natural organic matter (NOM) stabilized by Fe oxides. Other organic matter compounds served as a secondary sink of these Pu (31 2% on average), and less than 20% of the Pu was immobilized by inorganic mineral particles. While present long-term disposal and environmental remediation modeling assume that solubility limits and sorption to mineral surfaces control Pu subsurface mobility, our observations suggest that NOM undoubtedly plays an important role in sequestering Pu. Ignoring the role of NOM in controlling Pu fate and transport is not justified in most environmental systems.

Effect of topsoil removal and selective countermeasures on radiocesium accumulation in rice plants in Fukushima paddy field

Yang, B.*; Onda, Yuichi*; Omori, Yoshihiro*; Sekimoto, Hitoshi*; Fujiwara, Toru*; Wakiyama, Yoshifumi*; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Takahashi, Junko*; Sun, X.*

Science of the Total Environment, 603-604, p.49 - 56, 2017/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.026

Modeling dynamics of Cs in forest surface environments; Application to a contaminated forest site near Fukushima and assessment of potential impacts of soil organic matter interactions

Ota, Masakazu; Nagai, Haruyasu; Koarashi, Jun

Science of the Total Environment, 551-552, p.590 - 604, 2016/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.02.068

A model for Cs transfer in forest was developed to assess behavior of Fukushima-derived Cs. The model simulation well reproduced observed 3 year migration of Cs in organic layer and mineral soil. Long-term predictions indicated that more than 90% of the deposited Cs remains in the top 5 cm soil till 30 years, suggesting that forest acts as a long-term reservoir of Cs with limited loss via groundwater pathway. Impacts of soil organic matter (SOM) on Cs dynamics were investigated by modifying parameters of Cs turnover. The results showed that SOM-induced reduction of Cs adsorption, slower fixation of Cs by clay and enhanced mobilization of the fixed Cs elevate soil-to-plant transfer of Cs by increasing fraction of dissolved Cs. A substantial proportion (27% 73%) of Cs in these soils was delivered to horizons deeper than 5 cm decades later. These results suggested that SOM significantly influences behavior of Cs over long-term.

Speciation of iodine isotopes inside and outside of a contaminant plume at the Savannah River Site

Schwehr, K. A.*; Otosaka, Shigeyoshi; Merchel, S.*; Kaplan, D. I.*; Zhang, S.*; Xu, C.*; Li, H.-P.*; Ho, Y.-F.*; Yeager, C. M.*; Santschi, P. H.*; et al.

Science of the Total Environment, 497-498, p.671 - 678, 2014/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.07.006

A new, accurate and simple pH-dependent solvent extraction method combined with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurement for I/I isotopes and iodine speciation (iodide, iodate, and organo-I) quantification in liquids of any ionic strength has been developed. We then validated the AMS method for activity concentration measurements with a recently developed gas chromatography mass spectrometry method for I concentrations of 1 Bq/L or higher. This technique was applied to I-contaminated groundwater from the Savannah River Site, USA, and demonstrated changes of I and I concentrations and speciation along a pH, redox potential, and organic carbon gradient. The data suggest that I/I and species distribution is strongly pH dependent. The new method can now be applied to a wide range of chemically-diverse aquatic systems, including uncontaminated environments.

Factors affecting vertical distribution of Fukushima accident-derived radiocesium in soil under different land-use conditions

Koarashi, Jun; Atarashi-Andoh, Mariko; Matsunaga, Takeshi; Sato, Tsutomu*; Nagao, Seiya*; Nagai, Haruyasu

Science of the Total Environment, 431, p.392 - 401, 2012/08

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.05.041

no abstracts in English

Detection and activity of iodine-131 in brown algae collected in the Japanese coastal areas

Morita, Takami*; Niwa, Kentaro*; Fujimoto, Ken*; Kasai, Hiromi*; Yamada, Haruya*; Nishiuchi, Ko*; Sakamoto, Tatsuya*; Godo, Waichiro*; Taino, Seiya*; Hayashi, Yoshihiro*; et al.

Science of the Total Environment, 408(16), p.3443 - 3447, 2010/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.04.001

Iodine-131 (I) was detected in brown algae collected off the Japanese coast. The maximum measured specific activity of I in brown algae was 0.370.010 Bq/kg-wet. Cesium-137 (Cs) was also detected in all brown algal samples used in this study. There was no correlation between specific activities of I and Cs in these seaweeds. Low specific activity and minimal variability of Cs in brown algae indicated that past nuclear weapon tests were the source of Cs. Although nuclear power facilities are known to be pollution sources of I, there was no relationship between the sites where I was detected and the locations of nuclear power facilities. Most of the sites where I was detected were near big cities with large populations. On the basis of the results, we suggest that the likely pollution source of I, detected in brown seaweeds, is not nuclear power facilities, but nuclear medicine procedures.