137Cs concentrations in foliose lichens within Tsukuba-city as a reflection of radioactive fallout from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

137Cs concentrations in ten species of foliose lichens collected within Tsukuba-city in August 2013 ranged from 1.7 to 35 kBq/kg. The relationships between 137Cs in two dominant species, Dirinaria applanata and Physcia orientalis, and the air dose rate (μSv/h) at the sampling sites were investigated...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental radioactivity 2015-03, Vol.141, p.38-43
Main Authors: Ohmura, Yoshihito, Matsukura, Kimiyo, Abe, Jun-ichi P., Hosaka, Kentaro, Tamaoki, Masanori, Dohi, Terumi, Kakishima, Makoto, Seaward, Mark R.D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomonitoring
Dirinaria applanata
Japan
Physcia orientalis
Radionuclide accumulation
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Summary:137Cs concentrations in ten species of foliose lichens collected within Tsukuba-city in August 2013 ranged from 1.7 to 35 kBq/kg. The relationships between 137Cs in two dominant species, Dirinaria applanata and Physcia orientalis, and the air dose rate (μSv/h) at the sampling sites were investigated. 137Cs in P. orientalis measured about 1 year after the Fukushima nuclear accident was correlated (r2 = 0.80) more closely with the air dose rate than those measured after about 2 years (r2 = 0.65), possibly demonstrating its continued value as a biomonitor to reflect ambient fall-out levels. In contrast, those of Dirinaria applanata were not correlated with the air dose rate in either year. •We report 137Cs concentrations of ten foliose lichens in Tsukuba-city, Japan.•137Cs of Physcia orientalis correlated with the air dose rate at the sampling sites.•Physcia orientalis is invaluable for monitoring the radioactive fallout.
ISSN:0265-931X
1879-1700
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.11.014