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After the Fukushima nuclear accident, the Japanese government implemented extensive decontamination work in 137Cs contaminated catchments for residents' health and local revitalization. Whether dramatic land use changes in the upstream decontaminated regions affected river suspended sediment (SS) and particulate 137Cs discharge downstream remain unknown because of the poor quantification on land cover changes and long-term river SS dynamics. We here introduce a 6-year concurrent database of the Niida River Basin, a decontaminated catchment, including the first available vector decontamination maps, satellite images in decontaminated regions with a spatial resolution of 10 m, and long-term river monitoring datasets spanning decontamination (2013–2016) and subsequent natural restoration stages (2017–2018). These datasets allow us, for the first time, to directly link the transport dynamics of river SS (particulate 137Cs) to land use changes caused by humans in real-time, which provide fundamental data for better understanding the river response of sediment to land use change. Moreover, the data obtained by interdisciplinary methods offer a template for land use change impact assessment in other river basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident released large amounts of radioactive materials into the environment. River systems play an important role in the terrestrial redistribution of FDNPP‐derived 137Cs in association with water and sediment movement. We examined the seasonal fluctuations in dissolved and particulate 137Cs activity concentrations and clarified the biological and physicochemical factors controlling 137Cs seasonality in the Abukuma River's middle course in the region affected by the FDNPP accident. The results showed seasonal fluctuations in the dissolved 137Cs activity concentration, with an increase in summer and a decrease in winter, although there was no clear seasonal change in the particulate 137Cs activity concentration. Water temperature and K+ concentration dominated the seasonality of the dissolved 137Cs activity concentration. The volumetric activity concentration of the organically bound 137Cs was found to be several orders of magnitude lower than that of the dissolved 137Cs. Therefore, we concluded that the 137Cs in organic matter is not a source of dissolved 137Cs in river water. The study also revealed the temperature dependence of Kd in riverine environments from a Van't Hoff equation. The standard reaction enthalpy of 137Cs in the Abukuma River was calculated to be approximately −19.3 kJ/mol. This was the first study to clearly reveal the mechanisms by which the dissolved 137Cs activity concentration and Kd are influenced by chemical and thermodynamic processes in the middle course of a large river, and it is expected to lead to an improved model of 137Cs dynamics in rivers. Plain Language Summary: The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident released large amounts of radioactive materials into the environment. River systems play an important role in the terrestrial redistribution of FDNPP‐derived 137Cs in association with water and sediment movement. The dissolved 137Cs activity concentration in the Abukuma River showed clear seasonal fluctuations, with an increase in summer and a decrease in winter, although there was no clear seasonal change in the particulate 137Cs activity concentration. Water temperature and K+ concentration dominated the seasonality of the dissolved 137Cs activity concentration. Previously, decomposition of 137Cs‐contaminated organic matter was thought to be the reason for the seasonality of the dissolved 137Cs activity concentration in rivers. However, in the middle course of the river, the organically bound 137Cs activity concentration is much lower than that of the dissolved 137Cs activity concentration, indicating that the decomposition of organic matter does not directly affect the dissolved 137Cs in the middle course. This study revealed that seasonal fluctuations in river temperature determine the seasonality of the dissolved 137Cs activity concentration in the middle course in the region affected by the FDNPP accident. Key Points: Dissolved 137Cs in the Abukuma River displays significant seasonal fluctuationsThe main factors determining the seasonality of dissolved 137Cs activity concentrations are water temperature and K+The standard enthalpy of 137Cs desorption from sediments was determined to be approximately −19.3 kJ/mol [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiocarbon and radiocesium were measured on litter fractions (LF) collected on November 19th, 2011 at 40 km NW of the FDNPP. The 137Cs concentration is much higher in the lower fraction LFb at 226,650 ± 170 Bq kg−1 than in the upper fraction LFa at 7290 ± 40 Bq kg−1. From leaf-air 14C comparison, no excess 14C due to the FDNPP accident is detected in LFa deposited in 2010-2011. A significant 14C difference of 1.4% exists between pine needles and deciduous leaves in LFb, which may be due either to post-depositional processes or to a turnover time of 0.5-1 year of stored carbon for deciduous leaves growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Approximately 70% of the total land area affected by the fallout from the Fukushima accident is forested, and therefore monitoring of the ambient dose rate in forest environments is essential to ensure that the population and natural habitats of these areas are protected from radiological hazards. However, there are little available data on the ambient dose rate for forest environments. This study investigated temporal changes in the ambient dose rate in different forest environments of Fukushima Prefecture. We conducted repeated measurements of the ambient dose rate in 2014 and 2016 at the same measurement points as those used by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry of Japan (MAFF) in 2011. The measurements revealed that the decreasing trend in the ambient dose rate varied among the different forest types and time periods. The ambient dose rate in EGC decreased slower than that induced by the physical decay of radiocesium for the period of 2011–2014. However, such slow declining trend of ambient dose rate was likely followed by quick reduction during the following years (2014–2016 and 2011–2016). On the other hand, in MBL and DBF forests, the ambient dose rate decreased 10–20% faster than that induced solely by physical decay of radiocesium for the observation period 2011–2016. Highlights • Ambient dose rate in Fukushima forests was repeatedly measured. • Ambient dose rates in mixed broad-leaved and deciduous forests were higher than evergreen conifers. • Ambient dose rate in evergreen conifer decreased slower than mixed broad-leaved and deciduous broad-leaved forests for the period of 2011–2014. • Decline of dose in evergreen conifer during the period of 2011–2014 was slower than that induced solely by physical decay of radiocesium. • Decline of dose in mixed and deciduous broad-leaved forest was 10–20% faster than the physical decay of radiocesium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident resulted in a significant release of radionuclides that were deposited on soils in Northeastern Japan. Plutonium was detected at trace levels in soils and sediments collected around the FDNPP. However, little is known regarding the spatial-temporal variation of plutonium in sediment transiting rivers in the region. In this study, plutonium isotopic compositions were first measured in soils (n = 5) in order to investigate the initial plutonium deposition. Then, plutonium isotopic compositions were measured on flood sediment deposits (n = 12) collected after major typhoon events in 2011, 2013 and 2014. After a thorough radiochemical purification, isotopic ratios ( 240 Pu/ 239 Pu, 241 Pu/ 239 Pu and 242 Pu/ 239 Pu) were measured with a Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometer (MC ICP-MS), providing discrimination between plutonium derived from global fallout, from atmospheric nuclear weapon tests, and plutonium derived from the FDNPP accident. Results demonstrate that soils with the most Fukushima-derived plutonium were in the main radiocaesium plume and that there was a variable mixture of plutonium sources in the flood sediment samples. Plutonium concentrations and isotopic ratios generally decreased between 2011 and 2014, reflecting the progressive erosion and transport of contaminated sediment in this coastal river during flood events. Exceptions to this general trend were attributed to the occurrence of decontamination works or the remobilisation of contaminated material during typhoons. The different plutonium concentrations and isotopic ratios obtained on three aliquots of a single sample suggest that the Fukushima-derived plutonium was likely borne by discrete plutonium-containing particles. In the future, these particles should be isolated and further characterized in order to better understand the fate of this long-lived radionuclide in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident a vast amount of radiocesium was released polluting the land. Afterwards, a variety of decontamination practices has been done, reducing the ambient dose rates. In this study we evaluated the effectiveness of eight forest decontamination practices by means of monitoring the radiocesium ( 137 Cs) concentration in soil and leaf samples, and the daily discharge rates in ten plots during 27 months (May 2013–July 2015). A forest plantation located 16 km southwest to the FDNPP and within the exclusion area was selected. Radiocesium concentrations were analysed using a germanium gamma ray detector. The differences in radiocesium activities between the different plots were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and four homogeneous groups were distinguished. Tree thinning and litter removal greatly reduced the radioactivity and the two plots devoted to these practices presented the highest discharge rates of 137 Cs (Th + LR; 350–380 Bq/m 2 day), followed by the two Th plots (163–174 Bq/m 2 day). The clearcutting with LR and the LR plots (104 and 92 Bq/m 2 day) also had higher rates than those rates in the control plots (51 Bq/m 2 day). We only observed low rates in the two plots with matting (19–25 Bq/m 2 day). The temporal variability was explained by (i) the different rainfall depths registered during the measurement intervals (accumulated precipitation from 14 to 361 mm); and (ii) the fluctuations of the total surface coverage. The decrease trend in radiocesium concentration was high in 2013, moderate in 2014 and low in 2015 owing to the vegetation recovery after the countermeasures, thus reducing the possibility of the second pollution of the neighbouring areas. The average proportions of contribution of 137 Cs discharge by soil and leaf fraction were 96.6% and 3.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cesium-137 ( 137 Cs) migration in the litter layer consists of various processes, such as input via throughfall, output via litter decomposition, and input from deeper layers via soil organism activity. We conducted litter bag experiments over 2 years (December 2014–November 2016) to quantify the inputs and outputs of 137 Cs in the litter layer in a Japanese cedar plantation ( Cryptomeria japonica ) and a mixed broadleaf forest dominated by Quercus serrata located 40 km northwest of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. The experiments included four conditions, combining contaminated and non-contaminated litter and deeper layer material, and the inputs and outputs were estimated from the combination of 137 Cs increases and decreases in the litter layer under each condition. The 137 Cs dynamics differed between the two forests. In the C. japonica forest, some 137 Cs input via throughfall remained in the litter layer, and downward 137 Cs flux passed through the litter layer was 0.42 (/year).Upward flux of 137 Cs from the deeper layer was very restricted, < 0.017 (/year). In the broadleaf forest, migration of 137 Cs in throughfall into deeper layers was restricted, downward 137 Cs flux was less than 0.003 (/year).Upward input of 137 Cs from the deeper layer was prominent, 0.037 (/year). 137 Cs output via litter decomposition was observed in both forests. The flux in the C. japonica forest was slower than that in the broadleaf forest, 0.12 and 0.15 (/year), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial patterns of atmospherically deposited radiocesium on the forest floor and the temporal evolution were measured in two Japanese cedar stands and a secondary mixed broad-leaved forest in the early phase of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. In situ measurements of the 137 Cs gamma count were made using a portable germanium gamma ray detector. These measurements revealed that the forest floors were contaminated with radionuclides derived from the accident. In the cedar stands, the inter-canopy area had higher 137 Cs count rate relative to the under-canopy area, whereas no clear relationship was found between the radiocesium pattern and canopy cover in the mixed broad-leaved forest. Repeated radiocesium measurements revealed that the spatial pattern of radiocesium activity on the forest floor did not substantially change following additional deposition inputs. Furthermore, the magnitude of canopy cover partially explained spatial variability of the 137 Cs on the forest floor in cedar stands. These results suggest that canopy structure affected the genesis of the horizontal variability of atmospherically deposited radiocesium on the forest floor during the early phase of the Fukushima accident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wide area of paddy fields was contaminated by radiocesium derived from the Fukushima nuclear accident. Implement of agricultural countermeasures is one of the principle methods to reduce the contamination of rice plants. In this study, the effect of topsoil removal measure and fertilizer application on radiocesium uptake by rice plants was investigated over a four-year period. Some other available countermeasures carried out after the Fukushima nuclear accident were also summarized. The results indicate that the effect of topsoil removal measure on the accumulation of radiocesium in rice plants was effective, but the concentration ratio of radiocesium activity concentration between rice plant and soil increased. This may be correlated with the radiocesium imported from irrigation water and relatively high exchangeable radiocesium proportion of plowing soil in the topsoil removal paddy. We summarized four year's data to further confirm that potassium and nitrogen fertilizers had an opposite effect on the accumulation of radiocesium in rice plants. Increasing potassium and reducing nitrogen fertilizer conditions tended to inhibit the radiocesium uptake by rice plants. Moreover, of all the available countermeasures applied in the paddy fields, the most effective countermeasure was the application of phlogopite. However, further analyses are required to confirm the effectiveness of application of phlogopite considering the limited available information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiocesium ( 137 Cs) migration from headwaters in forested areas provides important information, as the output from forest streams subsequently enters various land-use areas and downstream rivers. Thus, it is important to determine the composition of 137 Cs fluxes (dissolved fraction, suspended sediment, or coarse organic matter) that migrate through a headwater stream. In this study, the 137 Cs discharge by suspended sediment and coarse organic matter from a forest headwater catchment was monitored. The 137 Cs concentrations in suspended sediment and coarse organic matter, such as leaves and branches, and the amounts of suspended sediment and coarse organic matter were measured at stream sites in three headwater catchments in Yamakiya District, located ∼35 km northwest of Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) from August 2012 to September 2013, following the earthquake and tsunami disaster. Suspended sediment and coarse organic matter were sampled at intervals of approximately 1–2 months. The 137 Cs concentrations of suspended sediment and coarse organic matter were 2.4–49 kBq/kg and 0.85–14 kBq/kg, respectively. The 137 Cs concentrations of the suspended sediment were closely correlated with the average deposition density of the catchment. The annual proportions of contribution of 137 Cs discharge by suspended sediment, coarse organic matter, and dissolved fraction were 96–99%, 0.0092–0.069%, and 0.73–3.7%, respectively. The total annual 137 Cs discharge from the catchment was 0.02–0.3% of the deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the transfer of canopy-intercepted radiocesium to the forest floor following the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. The 137 Cs content of throughfall, stemflow, and litterfall were monitored in two coniferous stands (plantations of Japanese cedar) and a deciduous mixed broad-leaved forest stand (oak with red pine) from July 2011 to December 2012. The forest floor of cedar stands had received higher levels of additional 137 Cs deposition compared with the mixed broad-leaved stand during the sampling period. The cumulative 137 Cs deposition during the study period was 119 kBq m −2 for the mature cedar stand, 105 kBq m −2 for the young cedar stand, and 41.5 kBq m −2 for the broad-leaved stand. The deposition of 137 Cs to the forest floor occurred mainly in throughfall during the first rainy season, from July to September 2011 (<200 d after the initial fallout); thereafter, the transfer of 137 Cs from the canopy to forest floor occurred mainly through litterfall. A double exponential field-loss model, which was used to simulate the removal of 137 Cs from canopies, was the best fit for the temporal changes in the canopy 137 Cs inventory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The depth distribution of pre-Fukushima and Fukushima-derived 137 Cs in undisturbed coniferous forest soil was investigated at four sampling dates from nine months to 18 months after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. The migration rate and short-term temporal variability among the sampling profiles were evaluated. Taking the time elapsed since the peak deposition of pre-Fukushima 137 Cs and the median depth of the peaks, its downward displacement rates ranged from 0.15 to 0.67 mm yr −1 with a mean of 0.46 ± 0.25 mm yr −1 . On the other hand, in each examined profile considerable amount of the Fukushima-derived 137 Cs was found in the organic layer (51%–92%). At this moment, the effect of time-distance on the downward distribution of Fukushima-derived 137 Cs seems invisible as its large portion is still found in layers where organic matter is maximal. This indicates that organic matter seems the primary and preferential sorbent of radiocesium that could be associated with the physical blockage of the exchanging sites by organic-rich dusts that act as a buffer against downward propagation of radiocesium, implying radiocesium to be remained in the root zone for considerable time period. As a result, this soil section can be a potential source of radiation dose largely due to high radiocesium concentration coupled with its low density. Generally, such kind of information will be useful to establish a dynamic safety-focused decision support system to ease and assist management actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fukushima Daiishi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident led to a massive radionuclide deposition mainly onto Japanese forest canopies. In our previous study, an improved double exponential (IDE) equation including rainfall intensity was proposed to estimate the 137 Cs hydrological transport from evergreen canopies to the ground. This equation used two types of parameters, kinetic ( k 1 and k 2 ) and leachable stock ( A 1 and A 2 ). Those parameters have been estimated by adjusting them in the IDE equation in order to accurately describe the measured cumulative leached 137 Cs from canopies ( k 1 = 4.2E-04–5.0E-04 d −1 , k 2 = 1.2E-02–1.7E-02 d −1 , A 1 = 62–99 kBq/m 2 , A 2 = 25–61 kBq/m 2 ). In this study, we linked the total leachable stock ( A leachable , a parameter of the IDE equation corresponding to A 1 + A 2 ) to a physiological criteria (the canopy closure CC, which can be measured with a simple camera equipped with a fish-eye objective). Furthermore, the kinetic parameters measured for Japanese cedar ( k 1 = 5.0E-04 d −1 , k 2 = 1.2E-02 d −1 , and r 12 = 0.22 ( r 12 = A 1 / A 2 ) could also be used for two other coniferous species: Japanese cypress and spruce. This suggests that these parameters could be constants for coniferous forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident resulted in extensive radioactive contamination of the environment via deposited radionuclides such as radiocesium and 131 I. Evaluating the extent and level of environmental contamination is critical to protecting citizens in affected areas and to planning decontamination efforts. However, a standardized soil sampling protocol is needed in such emergencies to facilitate the collection of large, tractable samples for measuring gamma-emitting radionuclides. In this study, we developed an emergency soil sampling protocol based on preliminary sampling from the FDNPP accident-affected area. We also present the results of a preliminary experiment aimed to evaluate the influence of various procedures (e.g., mixing, number of samples) on measured radioactivity. Results show that sample mixing strongly affects measured radioactivity in soil samples. Furthermore, for homogenization, shaking the plastic sample container at least 150 times or disaggregating soil by hand-rolling in a disposable plastic bag is required. Finally, we determined that five soil samples within a 3 m × 3-m area are the minimum number required for reducing measurement uncertainty in the emergency soil sampling protocol proposed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected fluvial suspended sediments in Fukushima after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident and analyzed the Cs concentration in bulk and size-fractioned samples to investigate the particle-size-dependent distribution of radiocesium. The Cs concentration in bulk suspended sediments decreased from August to December 2011, possibly reflecting a decrease of radiocesium concentration in its source materials. Smaller particles had higher radiocesium concentrations, reflecting larger specific surface areas. Silt- and sand-size fractions occupied more than 95 % of the total Cs in the suspended sediments. The contribution of clay-size fractions, which had the highest Cs concentration, was quite small because of their low frequency. A line of the data showed that the particle size distribution of radiocesium was essential to evaluate the migration and distribution of radiocesium in river systems where radiocesium is mainly present as particulate form after the FDNPP accident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to quantify the flux of radiocesium in the Abukuma Basin (5,172 km2), the largest river system affected by fallout from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) event. In the period from 10 August 2011 to 11 May 2012 an estimated 84 to 92% of the total radiocesium transported in the basin's fluvial system was carried in particulate form. During this monitoring period Typhoon Roke (September 2011) was observed to induce a significant and temporally punctuated redistribution of radiocesium. The storm-mobilised radiocesium was an estimated 6.18 Terabecquerels corresponding to 61.4% of the total load delivered to the coastal zone during the observation period. The total flux of radiocesium into the Pacific Ocean estimated at the outlet station (basin area 5,172 km2) was 5.34 TBq for 137Cs, and 4.74 TBq for 134Cs, corresponding to 1.13% of the total estimated radiocesium fallout over the basin catchment (890 TBq). This was equivalent to the estimated amount of direct leakage from FDNPP to the ocean during June 2011 to September 2012 of 17 TBq and the Level 3 Scale Leakage on 21August 2013 (24 TBq). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Soil, vegetation and other ecological compartments are expected to be highly contaminated by the deposited radionuclides after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the resulting tsunami on 11 March 2011. However, there is no field measurement data on the depth distributions of radiocaesium and 131I concentrations in soil profile. In this study, the depth distribution of the deposited radionuclides in the cultivated soil profile was investigated in one of the most contaminated area after FDNPP accident. The result of this study demonstrated that greater than 86% of total radiocaesium and 79% of total 131I were absorbed in the upper 2.0 cm in the soil profile. The relaxation mass depth (h 0) derived from the depth distribution of radiocaesium and 131I in the soil profile at the study site were 9.1 kg m−2 and 10.4 kg m−2, respectively. The h 0 of 137Cs in the studied soil profile was greater than those for the cultivated soils nearby the Chernobyl NPP. The positive relationship was found between clay content of topsoil and the h 0 of 137Cs. However, further analysis is required to clarify the effect of clay content on the initial penetration depth of deposited 137Cs in soil profile. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ascertaining the initial amount of accidently released radiocesium is fundamental for determining the extent of radioactive contamination following nuclear accidents, and is of key importance to environmental transfer models. A series of the airborne monitoring surveys of radioactivity have conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and provide basic information on radioactive contamination following the accident. However, there are no clear guidelines regarding the selection of airborne monitoring survey results for estimating the initial fallout input in studies of the environmental transfer of radiocesium. This study reconstructed a fallout map of Fukushima accident-derived radiocesium based on a comparison of the radiocesium deposition densities (D l) derived from the third and fifth airborne monitoring surveys. The D l derived from the fifth airborne monitoring survey were adjusted for variation in the measured radioactivity associated with the influence of radioactive decay, natural weathering processes, variation in the calibration procedure, and other, undefined mechanisms. The calibrated deposition density of the fifth airborne monitoring survey for each land use type (A ′ 5th* l) were used to establish the initial fallout map in the East Japan area. Furthermore, the airborne monitoring surveys which were independently conducted in each prefecture area were used to complement the lack of data in the South Kanto region and the mountainous area in the North Kanto region due to snow cover during the measurement period of the fifth airborne monitoring survey. The reconstructed initial fallout map of the Fukushima accident derived 137Cs was opened to the public via the database of the Center for Research in Isotopes of Environmental Dynamics, University of Tsukuba, Japan (www.ied.tsukuba.ac.jp/∼fukushimafallout/). Finally, the total atmospheric deposition of Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident-derived radiocesium onto each prefecture and land uses was estimated based on the reconstructed map in this study. • Initial 137Cs fallout map was established based on airborne monitoring surveys. • Reduction of the measured inventories between the third and fifth airborne surveys varied between different landuses. • Forest area accumulated 72% of total 137Cs deposition on land. • Total 137Cs deposition on land area of Japan was calculated as 2.5 PBq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface soils, under various land uses, were contaminated by radionuclides that were released by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Because paddy fields are one of the main land uses in Japan, we investigated the spatial distribution of radiocesium and the influence of irrigation water in a paddy field during cultivation. Soil core samples collected at a paddy field in Fukushima showed that plowing had disturbed the original depth distribution of radiocesium. The horizontal distribution of radiocesium did not show any evidence for significant influence of radiocesium from irrigation water, and its accumulation within the paddy field, since the original amount of radiocesium was much larger than was added into the paddy field by irrigation water. However, it is possible that rainfall significantly increases the loading of radiocesium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of dissolved 137 Cs in groundwater and stream water in the headwater catchments in Yamakiya district, located ∼35 km north west of Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), was monitored from June 2011 to July 2013, after the earthquake and tsunami disaster. Groundwater and stream water were sampled at intervals of approximately 2 months at each site. Intensive sampling was also conducted during rainstorm events. Compared with previous data from the Chernobyl NPP accident, the concentration of dissolved 137 Cs in stream water was low. In the Iboishi-yama catchment, a trend was observed for the concentration of dissolved 137 Cs in stream water to decline, which could be divided into two phases by October 2011 (a fast flush of activity as a result of rapid washoff and a slow decline as a result of soil fixation and redistribution processes). The highest 137 Cs concentration recorded at Iboishi-yama was 1.2 Bq/L on August 6, 2011, which then declined to 0.021–0.049 Bq/L during 2013 (in stream water under normal water-flow conditions). During the rainfall events, the concentration of dissolved 137 Cs in stream water increased temporarily. The concentration of dissolved 137 Cs in groundwater at a depth of 30 m at Iboishi-yama displayed a decreasing trend from 2011 to 2013, with a range from 0.039 Bq/L to 0.0025 Bq/L. The effective half-lives of stream water in the initial fast flush and secondary phases were 0.10–0.21 and 0.69–1.5 y, respectively in the three catchments. The effective half-life of groundwater was 0.46–0.58 y at Koutaishi-yama and 0.50–3.3 y at Iboishi-yama. The trend for the concentration of dissolved 137 Cs to decline in groundwater and stream water was similar throughout 2012–2013, and the concentrations recorded in deeper groundwater were closer to those in stream water. The declining trend of dissolved 137 Cs concentrations in stream water was similar to that of the loss of canopy 137 Cs by throughfall, as shown in other reports of forest sites in the Yamakiya district. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large quantities of radiocesium were deposited across a 3000 km 2 area northwest of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant after the March 2011 accident. Although many studies have investigated the fate of 137 Cs in soil in the months following the accident, the depth distribution of this radioactive contaminant in rice paddy fields requires further examination after the typhoons that occurred in this region. Such investigations will help minimize potential human exposure in rice paddy fields. Radionuclide activity concentrations, organic content and particle size were analysed in 10 soil cores sampled from paddy fields in November 2013, 20 km north of the Fukushima power plant. Our results demonstrate limited depth migration of 137 Cs with the majority concentrated in the uppermost layers of soils (<5 cm). More than 30 months after the accident, between 46.8 and 98.7% of the total 137 Cs inventories was found within the top 5 cm of the soil surface, despite cumulative rainfall totalling 3300 mm. Furthermore, there were no significant correlations between 137 Cs depth distribution and the other parameters. We attributed the maximum depth penetration of 137 Cs to grass cutting (73.6–98.5% of 137 Cs in the upper 5 cm) and farming operations (tillage – 46.8–51.6% of 137 Cs in the upper 5 cm). As this area is exposed to erosive events, ongoing decontamination works may increase soil erodibility. We therefore recommend the rapid removal of the uppermost – contaminated – layer of the soil after removing the vegetation to avoid erosion of contaminated material during the subsequent rainfall events. Further analysis is required to thoroughly understand the impacts of erosion on the redistribution of radiocesium throughout the Fukushima Prefecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Silver-110 metastable (110mAg) has been far less investigated than other anthropogenic radionuclides, although it has the potential to accumulate in plants and animal tissues. It is continuously produced by nuclear power plants in normal conditions, but emitted in much larger quantities in accidental conditions facilitating its detection, which allows the investigation of its behaviour in the environment. We analysed 110mAg in soil and river drape sediment (i.e., mud drapes deposited on channel-bed sand) collected within coastal catchments contaminated in Fukushima Prefecture (Japan) after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident that occurred on 11 March 2011. Several field experiments were conducted to document radiosilver behaviour in the terrestrial environment, with a systematic comparison to the more documented radiocesium behaviour. Results show a similar and low mobility for both elements in soils and a strong affinity with the clay fraction. Measurements conducted on sediment sequences accumulated in reservoirs tend to confirm a comparable deposition of those radionuclides even after their redistribution due to erosion and deposition processes. Therefore, as the 110mAg:137Cs initial activity ratio varied in soils across the area, we justified the relevance of using this tool to track the dispersion of contaminated sediment from the main inland radioactive pollution plume generated by FDNPP accident. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan resulted in the deposition of radiocesium over forested and rural landscapes northwest of the power plant. Although there have been several investigations into the dynamics of contaminated river sediment, less attention has been paid to the sources of deposited particulate matter in dams and reservoirs. In the Fukushima Prefecture, there are 10 significant dams and over a 1000 reservoirs for both agricultural and surface water management. These reservoirs may have trapped a significant volume of radiocesium-contaminated sediment. Therefore, characterizing the sources of contaminated particulate matter is important for the ongoing management of contamination in the region. Accordingly, the composition of particulate matter deposited in the Mano Dam reservoir, approximately 40 km northwest of the power plant, was investigated with the analyses and modelling of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ 13 C and δ 15 N), total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations. Four sediment cores, with lengths ranging 29–41 cm, were sampled in the Mano Dam. Source samples from 46 forest soils, 28 cultivated soils and 25 subsoils were used to determine the source contributions of particulate matter. Carbon and nitrogen parameters were analyzed on all samples and a concentration-dependent distribution modelling approach was used to apportion source contributions. Three of the four cores sampled in the Mano Dam reservoir had distinct radiocesium peaks representative of the initial post-accident wash-off phase. Cultivated sources were responsible for 48 ± 7% of the deposited fine particulate matter whereas forests were modelled to contribute 27 ± 6% and subsoil sources 25 ± 4%. Ongoing decontamination of cultivated sources in the Fukushima region should result in a decrease of contaminated matter deposition in reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of particulate organic matter in radiocesium transfers from soils to rivers was investigated in areas contaminated by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Suspended and deposited sediments, filtered water, macro organic debris and dead leaves were sampled along the six most contaminated coastal river catchments of the Fukushima prefecture in the early autumns 2013 and 2014. Radiocesium concentrations of river samples and total organic carbon concentrations in suspended and deposited sediments were measured. Radiocesium concentrations of suspended and deposited sediments were significantly correlated to 137 Cs inventories in soils and total organic carbon. The distributions of radiocesium between the organic and mineral phases of both types of sediment were assessed by using a modelling approach. The results suggest that, during the early autumn season, the organic fraction was the main phase that carried the radiocesiums in deposited sediments and in suspended sediments for suspended loads < 25 mg·L − 1 . For higher suspended loads like those occurring during typhoon periods, the mineral fraction was the main carrier phase. Thus, high apparent distribution coefficient values noted by various authors in Fukushima could be attributed to the high radiocesium contents of particulate organic matter. Since it is well known that organic compounds generally do not significantly adsorb radiocesium onto specific sites, several hypotheses are suggested: 1) Radiocesiums may have been absorbed into organic components at the early stage of atmospheric radioactive deposits and/or later due to biomass recycling and 2) Those elements would be partly carried by glassy hot particles together with organic matter transported by rivers in Fukushima. Both hypotheses would lead to conserve the amount of radiocesiums associated with particles during their transfers from the contaminated areas to the marine environment. Finally, such organically bound radiocesium would lead to significant deliveries of bioavailable radiocesium for living organisms at Fukushima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fukushima-derived radiocesium distribution in the typical Japanese cedar ( Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) forest ecosystem was determined. In four years after the Fukushima accident, about 74% of the total radiocesium inventory was localized in soil, 20% was in the litter, and only 6% was associated with the aboveground biomass. Most of the radiocesium that was initially intercepted by the tree canopies has been already transported to the ground surface. The importance of the processes for removal of radiocesium from the tree canopies decreased in the order litterfall > throughfall >> stemflow. Within the tree compartments, the largest radiocesium activity fraction, about 46%, was observed in old foliage, which indicates that the process of removal of the initial deposit from the tree crowns has not yet completed. The aggregate soil-to-wood transfer factor was 1.1⋅10 −3 m 2 kg −1 d.w., which is close to the geometric means of transfer factors recommended by IAEA for other coniferous tree species. Further studies in Fukushima forest are necessary to assess the variation of this parameter under various soil-landscape conditions. Presence of the residues of the initial deposits does not allow to obtain the accurate values of the annual radiocesium fluxes in the ecosystem. Based on the conservative assumptions, the ranges of the fluxes were estimated. Analysis of the flux structures shows that up to percents of the total radiocesium activity in the ecosystem may be involved into biogenic cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The devastating tsunami triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 inundated the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) resulting in a loss of cooling and a series of explosions releasing the largest quantity of radioactive material into the atmosphere since the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Although 80% of the radionuclides from this accidental release were transported over the Pacific Ocean, 20% were deposited over Japanese coastal catchments that are subject to frequent typhoons. Among the radioisotopes released during the FDNPP accident, radiocesium ( 134 Cs and 137 Cs) is considered the most serious current and future health risk for the local population. The goal of this review is to synthesize research relevant to the transfer of FDNPP derived radiocesium from hillslopes to the Pacific Ocean. After radiocesium fallout deposition on vegetation and soils, the contamination may remain stored in forest canopies, in vegetative litter on the ground, or in the soil. Once radiocesium contacts soil, it is quickly and almost irreversibly bound to fine soil particles. The kinetic energy of raindrops instigates the displacement of soil particles, and their bound radiocesium, which may be mobilized and transported with overland flow. Soil erosion is one of the main processes transferring particle-bound radiocesium from hillslopes through rivers and streams, and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean. Accordingly this review will summarize results regarding the fundamental processes and dynamics that govern radiocesium transfer from hillslopes to the Pacific Ocean published in the literature within the first four years after the FDNPP accident. The majority of radiocesium is reported to be transported in the particulate fraction, attached to fine particles. The contribution of the dissolved fraction to radiocesium migration is only relevant in base flows and is hypothesized to decline over time. Owing to the hydro-meteorological context of the Fukushima region, the most significant transfer of particulate-bound radiocesium occurs during major rainfall and runoff events (e.g. typhoons and spring snowmelt). There may be radiocesium storage within catchments in forests, floodplains and even within hillslopes that may be remobilized and contaminate downstream areas, even areas that did not receive fallout or may have been decontaminated. Overall this review demonstrates that characterizing the different mechanisms and factors driving radiocesium transfer is important. In particular, the review determined that quantifying the remaining catchment radiocesium inventory allows for a relative comparison of radiocesium transfer research from hillslope to catchment scales. Further, owing to the variety of mechanisms and factors, a transdisciplinary approach is required involving geomorphologists, hydrologists, soil and forestry scientists, and mathematical modellers to comprehensively quantify radiocesium transfers and dynamics. Characterizing radiocesium transfers from hillslopes to the Pacific Ocean is necessary for ongoing decontamination and management interventions with the objective of reducing the gamma radiation exposure to the local population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil deposition density maps of gamma-ray emitting radioactive nuclides from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) accident were constructed on the basis of results from large-scale soil sampling. In total 10,915 soil samples were collected at 2168 locations. Gamma rays emitted from the samples were measured by Ge detectors and analyzed using a reliable unified method. The determined radioactivity was corrected to that of June 14, 2011 by considering the intrinsic decay constant of each nuclide. Finally the deposition maps were created for 134 Cs, 137 Cs, 131 I, 129m Te and 110m Ag. The radioactivity ratio of 134 Cs– 137 Cs was almost constant at 0.91 regardless of the locations of soil sampling. The radioactivity ratios of 131 I and 129m Te– 137 Cs were relatively high in the regions south of the Fukushima NPP site. Effective doses for 50 y after the accident were evaluated for external and inhalation exposures due to the observed radioactive nuclides. The radiation doses from radioactive cesium were found to be much higher than those from the other radioactive nuclides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of 137 Cs in size fractionated samples in river water from the Abukuma River system, (the Kuchibuto and Abukuma Rivers, five sampling events for three sites) was studied from June 2011 – approximately some three months after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident until December 2012. The total concentration of 137 Cs (mBq/L) in river water was generally high at the upper stream site in the Yamakiya District within the evacuation/off-limits zone. The 137 Cs concentration was about 1 Bq/L for the first sampling campaign (June 2011) at all sites, but then decreased substantially to about one-tenth of that by the time of a second sampling campaign (November or December 2011). The 137 Cs in the <0.45 μm fraction was present exclusively as a dissolved species rather than as a species adsorbed on suspended solids or complexed with organic materials. The contribution of the dissolved fraction ranged from 1.2 to 48.9% (averaged 20%) of the total concentration of 137 Cs throughout the observation period. The maximum contribution of 137 Cs was found in the silt size fraction (3–63 μm), which can be explained by the relatively large K d values and the suspended solids (SS) concentration of this size fraction. Although the concentration (Bq/g) of 137 Cs ineach size fraction did not show any significant trends and/or variations for any of the sampling campaign, K d values for each site increased with time. Furthermore, it was found that the K d values decreased with distance from the headstream in the off-limits zone. Thus, the data acquired in this study give an overview of the radiological situation for Fukushima including temporal and spatial variation of radiocaesium in a natural riverine system, within a few years after the accident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We monitored the vertical distribution of 137 Cs in soil profiles under eight different land uses for the 2 y after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, and discussed the temporal changes in the early-stage of the migration and the determinants of the initial distribution. The soil samples were collected for four surveys using a scraper plate at each study site, which consisted of three forests (mixed forest, mature cedar, and young cedar), two grasslands (pasture and meadow) and three abandoned agricultural fields (farm land, tobacco field, and paddy field). The land use patterns have a large influence on some soil properties and the migration processes of 137 Cs above ground, resulting in different distribution of 137 Cs in those soil profiles. Specifically, the secondary deposition of 137 Cs from the coniferous canopy, retention of 137 Cs by litter layer, and the homogenization of 137 Cs concentrations in surface soil by natural soil mixing such as the disturbance by cattle grazing, roots growing and the formation of needle ice were important to cause redistribution of the deposited 137 Cs. Only in the paddy field, the 137 Cs inventory in subsurface soils (5–10 cm) gradually increased and comprised 26% of the total 137 Cs in 2 y, showing the downward migration of 137 Cs to subsurface soil. In the other sites, it was considered that 137 Cs were strongly adsorbed by soil particles and rarely migrated downward as soluble form. Vertical distributions during the first survey were able to be used as the initial distributions and were well fitted to the exponential equation. The distribution parameters α (relaxation depth) and β (relaxation mass depth), calculated by the exponential equation were correlated with RIP ( r = −0.806, p < 0.05), macro pore ( r = 0.651, p = 0.11), and dispersible fine particle content ( r = 0.856, p < 0.05). It indicated that the initial distribution would be influenced by the Cs fixation ability of soil, and the penetration process of water and particles in soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of accidents at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (1F NPP) following the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011 resulted in the release of radioactive materials to the ocean. We used the Regional Ocean Model System (ROMS) to simulate the 137Cs activity in the oceanic area off Fukushima, with the sources of radioactivity being direct release, atmospheric deposition, river discharge, and inflow across the domain boundary. The direct release rate of 137Cs after the accident until the end of 2016 was estimated by comparing simulated results with measured 137Cs activities adjacent to the 1F NPP. River discharge rates of 137Cs were estimated by multiplying simulated river flow rates by the dissolved 137Cs activities, which were estimated by an empirical function. Inflow of 137Cs across the domain boundary was set according to the results of a North Pacific Ocean model. Because the spatiotemporal variability of 137Cs activity was large, the simulated results were compared with the annual averaged observed 137Cs activity distribution. Normalized annual averaged 137Cs activity distributions in the regional ocean were similar for each year from 2013 to 2016. This result suggests that the annual averaged distribution is predictable. Simulated 137Cs activity attributable to direct release was in good agreement with measurement data from the coastal zone adjacent to the 1F NPP. Comparison of the simulated results with measured activity in the offshore area indicated that the simulation slightly underestimated the activity attributable to inflow across the domain boundary. This result suggests that recirculation of subducted 137Cs to the surface layer was underestimated by the North Pacific model. During the study period, the effect of river discharge on oceanic 137Cs activity was small compared to the effect of directly released 137Cs. • The direct release rate of dissolved 137Cs was estimated by the end of 2016. • The river discharge rate of dissolved 137Cs was estimated from 2013 to 2016. • The annual averaged 137Cs activity distribution patterns were similar in each year from 2013 to 2016. • Simulated 137Cs activities attributable to direct release were in good agreement with measured activities. • The effect of river discharge of 137Cs was not detected on oceanic 137Cs distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of accidents at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (1F NPP) following theGreat East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011 resulted in the release ofradioactive materials to the ocean. Measured 137Cs activities in the coastal zone adjacent tothe 1F NPP are still higher than the one before the accident because sources to the oceanare still existing. The Regional Ocean Model System (ROMS) was employed forregional-scale simulation of 137Cs activity in the ocean offshore of Fukushima, the sourcesof radioactivity being direct release, atmospheric deposition, the inflow of 137Csdeposited into the ocean by atmospheric deposition outside the domain of the model,and river discharges. Direct release of 137Cs was estimated for 7 years after theaccident by comparing simulated results and measured activities adjacent to theaccident site. In addition, riverine discharge rates 137Cs were also estimated bymultiplication between river flow simulation rate and measured 137Cs activities.Simulated atmospheric deposition to the ocean was employed by atmospheric transportmodel. Inflow of 137Cs from boundary sections was set by the results of the NorthPacific scale ocean model. Sensitivity experiments were carried out to investigate thecontributions of each source to measured 137Cs activities in the ocean. We focused on theterm from 2013 to 2016 because there were few data in the river before 2012, andalso focused on dissolved 137Cs because most of 137Cs is dissolved form in theocean. Simulated 137Cs activity attributable to direct release were in good agreement withmeasured data in the coast zone adjacent to the 1F NPP, because the effect of direct releasewas dominant from 2013 to 2016. On the other hands, simulated results attributable to inflowfrom boundary sections were slightly underestimated to the measured data offshorearea. This suggests that recirculation of subducted 137Cs to the surface layer wasunderestimated in the North Pacific model. Apparent half-life of direct releasedand river discharged 137Cs activity were estimated to be about 1 year and 2 years,respectively. And apparent half-life of inflow of 137Cs activity was much longer dueto time scale of dilution process in the North Pacific. Apparent half-life of eachsource should be similar to the measured one attributable to each source. Apparenthalf-life of measured 137Cs activity adjacent to the 1F NPP was about 1 year, on theother hand, the ones increased with increasing distance from the 1F NPP. Apparenthalf-life of measured data was about 2 years in front of the Uda river mouth whereis far from the 1F NPP. Although 137Cs activity in this area was mainly affectedby the river input, simulated 137Cs activities with river input were one order ofmagnitudes smaller than observations. There is a brackish lagoon, Matsukawa-urain front of Uda river mouth. This underestimation suggests the removal processfrom particle 137Cs to dissolved form in the brackish lagoon may be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]