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Isolation, characterization and source analysis of radiocaesium micro-particles in soil sample collected from vicinity of Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.
- Source :
-
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity . Nov2020, Vol. 223, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p. - Publication Year :
- 2020
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Abstract
- Radioactive caesium was released during the accident of Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) into the surrounding environment. In the current work, radiocaesium micro-particles (CsMPs) and radiocaesium-rich soil particles were selectively separated from soil particles as well as from each other using autoradiography-based procedure. The applied separation scheme is based on water dilution followed by drying of the soil sample prior to imaging plate autoradiography. The SEM/EDS investigation of the individual CsMPs showed that these particles have a silicate glass structure and vary in shape with a diameter less than 10 μm. For the first time, a two-stage formation mechanism was suggested for a CsMP based on shape and structure heterogeneity of its two parts. Perfect spherical core might be formed in the first stage with a remarkable lower content of Al, and relatively higher concentrations of Si and K than an outer angulated structure, which might be attached to the core sphere during a late stage. The radiocaesium-rich soil particles have bigger size than CsMPs and have a plate-like structure with cleavages inside the grains, which suggest that these particles might be a weathered biotite. The average radioactivity ratio of 134Cs/137Cs (dated March 11, 2011) in the investigated particles was found to be 1.05 ± 0.01, which confirmed that the radiocaesium in CsMPs and in the contaminated soil particles has the same source of origin, which could be unite 3 of FDNPP. • Caesium micro-particles with glass-like structure released from Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant. • Distinct regions were noticed for the first time inside CsMPs. • Multi-stage formation mechanism was suggested for CsMPs. • Measurement of activity ratio of caesium isotopes. • The source of caesium in soil particles and CsMPs was suggested as unite 3 of FDNPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0265931X
- Volume :
- 223
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 146074281
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106388