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The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident caused an accumulation of 137Cs in coastal sediment. The 137Cs supply from rivers to the ocean can affect the long-term fate of 137Cs in coastal sediment. Since the Fukushima coastal river basins include large decontaminated and evacuation order areas, considering the decontamination work and resumption of agriculture is important for predicting the 137Cs supply. We conducted a 30-year prediction of the 137Cs supply from the Fukushima coastal rivers to the ocean using a distributed radiocesium prediction model, considering the effects of human activities. In river basins with decontaminated and evacuation order areas, human activities reduced the total 137Cs outflow from agricultural lands, urban lands, and forest areas to the rivers and the 137Cs supply to the ocean by 5.0% and 6.0%, respectively. These results indicated that human activities slightly impacted the 137Cs outflow and supply. The 137Cs supply from rivers impacted by the accident to the coastal sediment was estimated to correspond to 11–36% of the total 137Cs in the coastal sediment in the early phase of the accident. Therefore, the 137Cs supply from rivers to the ocean is important for the long-term behavior of 137Cs in coastal sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the factors regulating the concentration of particulate iodine (PI) in seawater, it was measured in two Pacific coastal areas adjacent to Japan (offshore Aomori and offshore Fukushima) in two seasons (May and October) along with parameters such as particulate organic carbon (POC) and nitrogen (PON), dissolved iodine (DI), and phytoplankton pigments. The observed PI concentrations ranged from 0.0068 to 2.2 nmol L−1, with uncertain seasonal and regional differences. The atomic ratio of PI to POC (I/C) ranged from 4.4 × 10−7 to 1.1 × 10−4, in line with previous studies on marine phytoplankton, although the lower part of the range of the I/C in this study was found to be somewhat lower compared to the previous studies. The dataset was divided in three groups namely, lower (Group A), average (Group B), and higher (Group C) I/C because the I/C is an indicator of the accumulation efficiency of PI in particles in seawater and POC is the main carrier of PI. Based on the observed POC concentrations, the atomic ratio of POC to PON (C/N), and the ratio of carbon derived from chlorophyll a to POC, the three groups were characterized by phytoplanktonic physiological states as highly productive, steady, and senescent states for Groups A, B, and C, respectively. Based on the finding that PI production is associated with the phytoplankton physiological state, the seasonal and regional differences in PI concentration and I/C in the observation areas were consistently explained. Finally, we suggest that the phytoplanktonic physiological state is one of the vital factors regulating the PI concentration in seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although 129I discharge from watersheds is fundamental for assessing long-term radiation effects on aquatic ecosystems, 129I originating from the Fukushima nuclear accident is yet be evaluated. This study investigated the transport behavior of 129I by riverbank surveys conducted from 2013 to 2015 in a watershed where the 129I/137Cs activity ratio is low in the mountainous area and high in the plain as of 2011. Until 2015, the 129I/137Cs activity ratio of the levee crown in the studied watershed was similar to that of the surrounding area in 2011. However, the 129I/137Cs ratios of the surface riverbank sediments were all low, indicating that radionuclides transported from the mountainous area were deposited on the riverbank in the plain. The vertical distribution of the 129I/137Cs ratio in the riverbank sediments indicated that some 129I and 137Cs deposited during the accident remained in the lower layers, but most were eroded immediately after the accident. Based on the 129I/137Cs ratios of sediments deposited on the riverbank, which remained constant until 2015 after the accident, the amount of 129I discharged to the ocean was determined from the previously evaluated 137Cs discharge. It was calculated that 1.8 × 105 Bq and 1.2 × 107 Bq of 129I were discharged with sediment from the studied watershed and the contaminated river watersheds (Abukuma River and Fukushima coastal rivers, including the study river), respectively. This amount of 129I was 0.3% of the 129I released from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean immediately after the accident. Furthermore, a comparison of the 129I/137Cs ratio showed that the continuous 129I and 137Cs discharge from the river contribute little to their amount in the seafloor sediments along the Fukushima coast. [Display omitted] • 129I and 137Cs in riverbank affected by the Fukushima accident were investigated. • 129I/137Cs ratio is a good indicator of the sediment source in a watershed. • Most of the sediment deposited on the riverbank was transported from upstream. • River discharge contributes little to the amount of 129I in the coastal area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of tritium (3H) to the ocean is planned on the coastal environment in the Fukushima coastal region from Spring or Summer of 2023. Before its release, we evaluate the effect of 3H discharges from the port of Fukushima Daiichi and rivers in the Fukushima coastal region using a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model (3D-Sea-SPEC). The simulation results showed that discharges from the port of Fukushima Daiichi dominantly affected the 3H concentrations in monitoring points within approximately 1 km. Moreover, the results indicate that the effect of riverine 3H discharge was limited around the river mouth under base flow conditions. However, its impact on the Fukushima coastal regions under storm flow conditions was found, and the 3H concentrations in seawater in the Fukushima coastal region were formed around 0.1 Bq/L (mean 3H concentrations in seawater in the Fukushima coastal region) in the near shore. [Display omitted] • Tritium behavior in the Fukushima coastal region was simulated. • Tritium discharges from the port of 1F and 14 rivers in Fukushima were considered. • The simulation reproduced the 3H conc. and dispersions reasonably. • Tritium concentrations near 1F were dominantly affected by discharges from 1F. • Riverine 3H discharges impact on 3H conc. in the near shore under storm conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is essential to evaluate secondary migration caused by riverine input and resuspension from seabed sediments to estimate the future distribution of radioactive cesium (137Cs) in the coastal area off Fukushima Prefecture. In particular, the inflow from rivers cannot be ignored because most of the 137Cs inflow from rivers is deposited on the coast without elute into seawater. Two mooring systems were installed near the Ukedo River's mouth (Fukushima Prefecture) from February 2017 to February 2018. The first contained a sediment trap system, collecting sinking particles during the period. The second comprised a turbidity sensor and a current sensor. The contribution of resuspension and inflow from the river to the mass flux was quantitatively evaluated using multiple regression equations. The results showed that resuspension caused 79%–83% of secondary 137Cs migration in nearshore areas, whereas the influence of riverine 137Cs input on the sediment was only 7% per year. [Display omitted] • Particulate 137Cs flux in the coastal area was several orders of magnitude higher than that in the offshore. • The migration mechanism of sinking particles in coastal areas was classified by physical parameters. • The 137Cs flux due to riverine influence was calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nakanishi, T.; Ohyama, T.; Hagiwara, H., and Sakuma, K., 2021. Impact of extreme typhoon events on the fluvial discharge of particulate radiocesium in Fukushima prefecture. In: Lee, J.L.; Suh, K.-S.; Lee, B.; Shin, S., and Lee, J. (eds.), Crisis and Integrated Management for Coastal and Marine Safety. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 114, pp. 310–314. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Two huge typhoons that occurred in October 2019, Hagibis and Bualoi, caused considerable flood damage in Fukushima Prefecture. There is concern about the radiocesium discharge to the coastal area related to such flood events from the river systems near the Fukushima nuclear power plant. In this study, we quantitatively evaluated the sediment and 137Cs discharges from the Ukedo River catchment based on the field observations conducted over 6 years. In 2019, approximately 90% of the annual sediment and 137Cs discharges occurred during the typhoon events (Hagibis and Bualoi). This sediment discharge was almost twice that related to the largest ever flood event since the Fukushima nuclear accident, which was caused by the typhoon Etau in September 2015. However, the 137Cs discharge related to the Hagibis and Bualoi events was two-thirds of the Etau event; the particulate 137Cs concentration in river water decreased during the observation period, showing an effective half-life of 2.2–3.9 years. Moreover, the 137Cs discharge during the two typhoon events in 2019 accounted for only 0.1% of the 137Cs deposition in the catchment, and the impact of radiocesium on the coastal area was extremely limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiocesium that originated from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident was deposited on the ground surface and has been transported via fluvial discharge, primarily in the form of particulates, to downstream areas and eventually to the ocean. During transportation, some of the radiocesium accumulated on the riverbed. In this study, we quantified the radiocesium deposition on the riverbed in the Odaka River estuary and investigated the radiocesium sedimentation process of the river bottom. Our results show that the radiocesium inventory in the seawater intrusion area is larger than those in the freshwater and marine parts of the estuary. Moreover, the particle-size distribution in the seawater intrusion area shows a high proportion of silt and clay particles compared with the distribution in other areas. The increased radiocesium inventory in this area is attributed to the sedimentation of fine particles caused by hydrodynamic factors (negligible velocity of the river flow) rather than flocculation factor by salinity variation. • Considerable 137Cs deposition was observed in the seawater intrusion area. • We estimated the total amount of radiocesium deposited in the river's estuary. • Fine sediments with 137Cs were concluded to be deposited due to hydrodynamic processes rather than flocculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In forest ecosystems, forest litter is considered an active medium for radiocesium (137Cs). To understand discharge mechanisms of highly bioavailable dissolved 137Cs from forests to river systems, we investigated the characteristics of 137Cs leaching from forest litter as observed from litterbag experiments. Leaching experiments with conifer needle and deciduous broadleaf litters were then conducted. After soaking conifer needles and broadleaf litters for 20 min, 140 min, and 1 day, the mean values of the 137Cs leaching ratios were 0.13–2.0% and 0.81–6.6%, respectively, indicating that 137Cs leaching ratios are different between forest litter types. To elucidate the factors affecting 137Cs leaching from forest litter, a multi-regression analysis of 137Cs leaching ratios was conducted against antecedent mean precipitation and temperature before sampling the litterbag and accumulated temperature during the litterbag experiments. The 137Cs leaching ratios showed a negative correlation to the antecedent mean precipitation for both litters and the accumulated temperature for broadleaf litters, whereas it exhibited a positive correlation with the antecedent mean temperature for both litters and the accumulated temperature for conifer needle litters. It was proposed that the fraction of 137Cs in labile sites in forest litter increased/decreased due to litter decomposition by antecedent/accumulated temperature, and that this fraction can be washed off by the antecedent precipitation. The different effects of accumulated temperature on 137Cs leaching from conifer needles and broadleaf litters could be due to their different decomposition rates. Our results contribute further the understanding of the mechanisms associated with dissolved 137Cs discharge from forested catchments. Image 1 • Dissolved 137Cs leaching from forest litters was investigated. • We estimated 137Cs leaching ratios from different types of forest litters. • 137Cs leaching ratios were different from conifer needle and broadleaf litters. • Initial 137Cs leaching rates were faster than those thereafter. • 137Cs leaching from forest litters could be rationalized by environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioactive cesium-rich microparticles (CsMPs) derived from the Fukushima Daiichi Nnuclear Power Plant accident were detected from soils and river water around Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Because CsMPs are insoluble and rich in radioactive cesium (RCs), they may cause the overestimation of solid-water distribution coefficient (K d) for RCs in the water. Previous studies showed the proportion of RCs derived from CsMPs on RCs concentration in soils collected from areas with different contaminated levels. Because the proportion of RCs concentration derived CsMPs to the RCs concentration of soils in the less contaminated areas is higher than that in the highly contaminated areas, the effect of CsMPs on particulate RCs concentration in river water may be larger in the less contaminated areas. However, the difference in the effects of CsMPs on the particulate RCs concentration and K d in river water flowing through watersheds with different contaminated levels has not been clarified. In this study, we investigated the effect of CsMPs on the particulate RCs concentration and K d in two rivers, Takase River and Kami-Oguni River, flowing through the watersheds with different RCs contaminated levels in Fukushima Prefecture. CsMPs might enter rivers due to soil erosion because they were detected only in some samples collected from both rivers during flood events. CsMPs accounted for more than half of particulate RCs concentration in some water samples collected in the flood condition. In particular, the proportion of CsMPs in particulate RCs for the Kami-Oguni River was greater than that for the Takase River. However, when evaluating for the entire water sampling in the flood condition, a proportion of RCs concentration derived from CsMPs in the average RCs concentrations per unit mass of SS in both river waters collected in the flood condition was not large. CsMPs might temporarily increase the particulate RCs concentration and K d in the flood event, but CsMPs did not significantly affect them when evaluated throughout the event. • CsMPs entered the river via soil erosion. • CsMPs temporary increased the particulate RCs in the river water. • CsMPs did not affect K d in river water when evaluating throughout the flood event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]