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Honda, Mitsunori; Kaneta, Yui; Muraguchi, Masakazu*; Hayakawa, Kosetsu*; Oda, Masato*; Iino, Chiaki*; Ishii, Hiroyuki*; Goto, Takuya*
AIP Advances (Internet), 14(5), p.055034_1 - 055034_6, 2024/05
This study examines the utilization of Fukushima weathered biotite(WB)as an alternative to conventional thermoelectric materials traditionally derived from rare and toxic substances. WB underwent milling, classification, and subsequent heat treatment via molten-salt treatment to produce crystals exhibiting conductivity akin to semiconductors within from 650C to 850C range. Evaluation of WB and the derived crystal's electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient showcased their viability for high-temperature thermoelectric applications. Consequently, WB attained a dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) of 0.015, signaling its potential as a thermoelectric material that surpasses 650C.
Nakanishi, Chika*; Ota, Masakazu; Hirouchi, Jun; Takahara, Shogo
JAEA-Research 2023-012, 29 Pages, 2024/02
The OSCAAR program is a probabilistic risk assessment program for reactor accidents developed by Japan Atomic Energy Agency. To improve the model included in the OSCAAR program, which is about long-term exposure caused by the resuspension of radioactive materials deposited on soil surfaces, we calculated resuspension factors for Cs-137. The one- dimensional atmosphere-SOiL-VEGetation model, SOLVEG-R was utilized to compute resuspension factor. The wind velocity was kept constant in this study since it significantly affects particle resuspension behavior. Our calculations indicate that wind velocities below 6 m s resulted in little variation in the annual mean resuspension factor at a height of 1 m. However, as wind velocities increased above 6 m s, the resuspension factor significantly increased. The resuspension factors ranged from 10 to 10 m for wind velocities ranging from 1 m s to 7 m s.
Yasumiishi, Misa*; Masoudi, P.*; Nishimura, Taku*; Ochi, Kotaro; Ye, X.*; Aldstadt, J.*; Komissarov, M.*
Radiation Measurements, 168, p.106978_1 - 106978_16, 2023/11
Times Cited Count:0 Percentile:0.01(Nuclear Science & Technology)In this study, we surveyed air dose rates using hand-held and backpack-type scintillators in a forest of deciduous and evergreen trees in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The effects of topographic features on air dose rates were examined using multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) against five selected topographic parameters. The air dose rates were distributed unevenly in the forest, and air dose rates varied by more than 1Sv/h as a function of time, likely owing to ground wetness etc. The effect of different topographic parameters varied between survey dates. The MARS model predictions with all topographic parameters yielded an R of 0.54 or higher. To discuss whether the effect of topography on air dose rates and soil contamination levels is consistent, air dose rates measured in the field were compared with those estimated from the depth profile of radiocesium in soil. Most air dose rates estimated from the soil samples were in the range of field measurements.
Ikenoue, Tsubasa; Shimadera, Hikari*; Nakanishi, Takahiro; Kondo, Akira*
Science of the Total Environment, 876, p.162846_1 - 162846_12, 2023/06
Times Cited Count:2 Percentile:64.43(Environmental Sciences)We conducted 30 years simulation of environmental fate of Cs in the Abukuma River basin considering the characteristics of the Cs behavior in land uses. Overall, in the Abukuma River basin, the Cs transported into the ocean for 30 years was estimated to correspond to 4.6% of the initial deposition in the basin, and the effective half-life of Cs deposited in the basin was estimated to be 3.7 years shorter (by 11.6%) than its physical half-life. These results suggested that Cs deposited from the accident could still remain for decades. Based on the analysis of the Cs behavior in land use, in 2011, the contribution of Cs export to the ocean from urban lands was estimated to correspond to 70% of the total Cs export. Meanwhile, from 2012 to 2040, the contribution of Cs export from agricultural lands was estimated to correspond to 75% of the total Cs export. The reduction ratios excluding radioactive decay of Cs remained in areas with and without human activities for 30 years after the accident, defined as the ratios of the total outflow to the initial deposition, were estimated to be 11.5%-17.7% and 0.4%-1.4%, respectively. These results suggested that human activities enhance the reduction of Cs remaining in land in the past and future.
Ochi, Kotaro; Funaki, Hironori; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Iimoto, Takeshi*; Matsuda, Norihiro; Sanada, Yukihisa
Radiation and Environmental Biophysics, 61(1), p.147 - 159, 2022/03
Times Cited Count:2 Percentile:42.05(Biology)Shimada, Asako; Sawaguchi, Takuma; Takeda, Seiji
Health Physics, 120(5), p.517 - 524, 2021/05
Times Cited Count:0 Percentile:0.01(Environmental Sciences)Ikenoue, Tsubasa; Shimadera, Hikari*; Kondo, Akira*
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 225, p.106452_1 - 106452_12, 2020/12
Times Cited Count:4 Percentile:18.88(Environmental Sciences)This study focused on the uncertainty of the factors of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and evaluated its impacts on the environmental fate of Cs simulated by a radiocesium transport model in the Abukuma River basin. The USLE has five physically meaningful factors: the rainfall and runoff factor (R), soil erodibility factor (K), topographic factor (LS), cover and management factor (C), and support practice factor (P). The simulation results showed total suspended sediment and Cs outflows were the most sensitive to C and P among the all factors. Therefore, land cover and soil erosion prevention act have the great impact on outflow of suspended sediment and Cs. Focusing on land use, the outflow rates of Cs from the forest areas, croplands, and undisturbed paddy fields were large. This study indicates that land use, especially forest areas, croplands, and undisturbed paddy fields, has a significant impact on the environmental fate of Cs.
Murata, Chinatsu; Kitahara, Masaru; Tanaka, Kiwamu; Amazawa, Hiroya; Takebe, Shinichi; Yamada, Osamu*; Kameo, Yutaka
Dekomisshoningu Giho, (62), p.20 - 31, 2020/09
On the basis of Act on Special Measures, municipalities stripped surface soil off the playground of park to decontaminate the soil which had been contaminated with radionuclides released from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. To minimize the exposure dose of the residents, it was essential to decide safe disposal of the contaminated soil which has been stored at temporary storage areas. Therefore, the ministry of the Environment and Tokai-mura office required Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) to perform demonstration project of burying the contaminated soil generated by decontamination of public facilities in order to provide decision on the enforcement ordinance and guidelines of burying it. In this project, we acquired data of air dose rate and the personal exposure dose during transporting, burying, and storing the contaminated soil. In addition, we measured radioactivity concentration of dust collected from surroundings of the landfill and seepage water through contaminated soil.
Sawaguchi, Takuma; Takai, Shizuka; Takeda, Seiji
JAEA-Research 2020-005, 47 Pages, 2020/06
After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, large quantities of radiocesium-contaminated soil were generated from decontamination activities in the Fukushima prefecture. The removed soil has been stored in the prefecture until its final disposal. To complete the final disposal outside Fukushima prefecture, reducing the disposal volume through recycling can prove effective. The Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOE) has presented a policy to recycle low-radioactive removed soil as recycled materials under the management of public authority. The recycling is limited to civil engineering structures in public projects. In this study, to contribute to guideline development for removed soil recycling by MOE, dose estimation in recycling of removed soil as embankment materials of seaside protection forest was conducted. First, additional doses to workers and the public in construction and service scenarios were evaluated. From the result, the radioactive cesium concentration level of recycled materials, where all additional doses meet the radiation criterion of 1 mSv/y, was derived to be 5,000 Bq/kg. Then, construction conditions were reviewed to reduce additional doses to the public in a service scenario. With the derived radioactivity level of 5,000 Bq/kg, the covered soil thickness of 39 cm or more limited the doses to less than 10 Sv/y. Finally, additional doses in a disaster scenario were evaluated. The doses were confirmed to be below 1 mSv/y when the removed soil of 5,000 Bq/kg was used.
Takai, Shizuka; Shimada, Asako; Sawaguchi, Takuma; Takeda, Seiji; Kimura, Hideo
Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 188(1), p.1 - 7, 2020/01
Times Cited Count:0 Percentile:0.01(Environmental Sciences)After the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident, most of radiocesium-contaminated soil generated from decontamination activities outside Fukushima prefecture has been stored at decontamination sites such as schools, parks and residential lands (storage at sites) according to the Decontamination Guidelines. However, additional exposure due to the present storage has not been evaluated. Moreover, entering storage sites, which is not restricted for storage at sites, was not considered in safety assessment conducted in the guidelines. To continue the storage and confirm the effectiveness, understanding of present possible exposures is important. In this study, we evaluated exposure doses for residents and users of storage sites based on the present situation. As a result, annual doses due to residence were 10 to 10 mSv y and doses due to annual entries were of the order of 10 mSv y. Hence, we confirmed that the exposure due to present storage outside Fukushima is significantly less than 1 mSv y.
Tsuji, Hideki*; Ishii, Yumiko*; Shin, M.*; Taniguchi, Keisuke*; Arai, Hirotsugu*; Kurihara, Momo*; Yasutaka, Tetsuo*; Kuramoto, Takayuki*; Nakanishi, Takahiro; Lee, S*; et al.
Science of the Total Environment, 697, p.134093_1 - 134093_11, 2019/12
Times Cited Count:18 Percentile:60.14(Environmental Sciences)To investigate the main factors that control the dissolved radiocesium concentration in river water in the area affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, the correlations between the dissolved Cs concentrations at 66 sites normalized to the average Cs inventories for the watersheds with the land use, soil components, topography, and water quality factors were assessed. We found that the topographic wetness index is significantly and positively correlated with the normalized dissolved Cs concentration. Similar positive correlations have been found for European rivers because wetland areas with boggy organic soils that weakly retain Cs are mainly found on plains. However, for small Japanese river watersheds, the building area ratio in the watershed strongly affected the dissolved Cs concentration.
Muto, Kotomi; Atarashi-Andoh, Mariko; Matsunaga, Takeshi*; Koarashi, Jun
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 208-209, p.106040_1 - 106040_10, 2019/11
Times Cited Count:13 Percentile:48.08(Environmental Sciences)Vertical distributions of Cs in the soil profile were observed at five forest sites with different vegetation types for 4.4 years after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, and Cs migration in the organic layer and mineral soil was analyzed based on a comparison of models and observations. Cesium-137 migration from the organic layer was faster than that observed in European forests, suggesting that the mobility and bioavailability of Cs could be suppressed rapidly in Japanese forests. The diffusion coefficients of Cs in the mineral soil were estimated to be 0.042-0.55 cmy, which were roughly comparable with those of European forest soils affected by the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident. Model predictions indicated Cs mainly distributed in the surface mineral soil at 10 years after the accident. It suggest that the Cs deposited onto Japanese forest ecosystems will be retained in the surface layers of mineral soil for a long time.
Suno, Hiroya; Okumura, Masahiko; Machida, Masahiko
Jiban Kogakkai-Shi, 67(10), p.34 - 35, 2019/10
no abstracts in English
Saito, Kimiaki
Environmental Contamination from the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster; Dispersion, Monitoring, Mitigation and Lessons Learned, p.38 - 43, 2019/09
Times Cited Count:0no abstracts in English
Koma, Yoshikazu; Murakami, Erina
Radiochimica Acta, 107(9-11), p.965 - 977, 2019/09
Times Cited Count:1 Percentile:10.65(Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear)Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, which is owned by Tokyo Electric Power Company, suffered from the great earthquake and Tsunami on 11 March 2011, and serious contamination with radioactive nuclides occurred. To investigate methodologies of waste management, contaminated materials have been radiochemically analyzed. This paper reviews the analytical data for actinide elements. Actinide nuclides are detected in the contaminated water. The contaminated water is chemically decontaminated, although actinide concentration does not decrease with time. This suggests that actinides come from the damaged fuel with slow dissolution. From the topsoil at the site, Pu, Am and Cm were detected and come from the damaged fuel, whereas U from natural. TRU would slowly move to deeper. Contamination of rubble is nonuniform and actinides are detected as well as fission products. For vegetation, TRU nuclides were found from fallen leaves near the reactor buildings.
Ota, Masakazu; Tanaka, Taku*
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 201, p.5 - 18, 2019/05
Times Cited Count:4 Percentile:16.20(Environmental Sciences)CH released from deep underground radioactive waste disposal facilities can be a belowground source of CO owing to microbial oxidation of CH to CO in soils. Environmental C models assume that the transfer of CO from soil to plant occurs via foliar uptake of CO. Nevertheless, the importance of CO root uptake is not well understood. In the present study, belowground transport and oxidation of CH were modeled and incorporated into an existing land surface CO model (SOLVEG-II) to assess the importance of root uptake on CO transfer to plants. Performance of the model in calculating the belowground dynamics of CH was validated by simulating a field experiment of CH injection into subsoil. The model was then applied to C transfer in a hypothetical ecosystem impacted by continuous CH input from the water table (bottom of one-meter thick soil). In a shallowly rooted ecosystem with rooting depth of 11 cm, foliar uptake of CO was significant, accounting for 80% of the C accumulation in the leaves. In a deeply rooted ecosystem (rooting depth of 97 cm), where the root penetrated to depths close to the water-table, more than half (63%) the C accumulated in the leaves was transferred by the root uptake. We found that CO root uptake in this ecosystem depended on the distribution of methane oxidation in the soil; all C accumulated in the leaves was transferred by the root uptake when methane oxidation occurred at considerable depths (e-folding depths of 20 cm, or 80 cm). These results indicate that CO root uptake contributes significantly to CO transfer to plants if CH oxidation occurs at great depths and roots penetrate deeply into the soil.
Shimada, Asako; Nemoto, Hiromi*; Sawaguchi, Takuma; Takeda, Seiji
Proceedings of 27th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-27) (Internet), 6 Pages, 2019/05
no abstracts in English
Saito, Kimiaki
Genshiryoku No Ima To Ashita, p.148 - 151, 2019/03
no abstracts in English
Takai, Shizuka; Sawaguchi, Takuma; Takeda, Seiji
Health Physics, 115(4), p.439 - 447, 2018/10
Times Cited Count:4 Percentile:37.66(Environmental Sciences)After the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station accident, large quantities of radiocesium-contaminated soil generated from decontamination activities have been stored in the Fukushima Prefecture. To reduce the disposal volume, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan has presented a policy to recycle low-radioactive decontamination soil limited to civil engineering structures. However, there has been no practical instance or safety assessment of decontamination soil recycling. In this study, the way of ensuring the safety for decontamination soil recycling for road embankments was discussed. First, based on Japanese construction standards, additional doses to workers and the public in construction and service scenarios were evaluated. From the result, the radioactive cesium concentration level of recycled materials, where all additional doses meet the radiation criterion of 1 mSv y, was derived to be 6,000 Bq kg. To confine additional doses to the public in a service scenario below 0.01 mSv y, soil slope protection of 40 cm or more was needed. Finally, additional doses in a disaster scenario were confirmed to be below 1 mSv y.
Okumura, Masahiko; Kerisit, S.*; Bourg, I. C.*; Lammers, L. N.*; Ikeda, Takashi*; Sassi, M.*; Rosso, K. M.*; Machida, Masahiko
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 189, p.135 - 145, 2018/09
Times Cited Count:52 Percentile:87.35(Environmental Sciences)no abstracts in English