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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
Published on: December 14, 2017
Radioactive cesium concentrations in coastal suspended matter after the Fukushima nuclear accident
Atsushi Kubo1, Kai Tanabe2, Genta Suzuki2
1Department of Ocean Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Geosciences, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan.
Abstract:
Radioactive cesium concentrations in the suspended matter of the coastal waters around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) were investigated between January 2014 and August 2015. The concentrations of radioactive cesium in the suspended matter were two orders higher in magnitude than those determined in the sediment. In addition, we discovered highly radioactive Cs particles in the suspended matter using autoradiography. The geometrical average radioactivity of particles was estimated to be 0.6 Bq at maximum and 0.2 Bq on average. The contribution ratio of highly radioactive Cs particles to each sample ranged from 13 to 54%, and was 36% on average. A major part of the radioactive Cs concentration in the suspended matter around the FDNPP was strongly influenced by the highly radioactive particles. The subsequent resuspension of highly radioactive Cs particles has been suggested as a possible reason for the delay in radioactive Cs depuration from benthic biota.
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