Distribution and risk assessment of radionuclides released by Fukushima nuclear accident at the northwest Pacific

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity 2015-04, Vol.142, p.54-61
• Main Authors: Yu, Wen, He, Jianhua, Lin, Wuhui, Li, Yiliang, Men, Wu, Wang, Fenfen, Huang, Jiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Decapodiformes - metabolism; Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident; Fukushima Nuclear Accident; Marine radioactivity; Pacific Ocean; Radiation Monitoring; Radiological risk assessment; Risk Assessment; Seawater - analysis; Squid; Water Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis; Water Pollutants, Radioactive - metabolism
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.01.005

In order to understand the impact of Fukushima Nuclear Accident (FNA) on the marine environment, seawater and a composite squid (Ommastrephe bartrami) sample were collected on the monitoring cruise XT01 during June 16–July 4, 2011. The concentration levels of Cesium-134, Cesium-137, Strontium-90, Silver-110m, Cobalt-58 and Cobalt-60 were measured both for the seawater and squid samples. The elevated activity levels of Cesium-134 and Cesium-137 were found in the sampling area. Cesium-134 and Silver-110m, which were usually undetectable before FNA, were also found in the squid sample, with the activity levels of 1.65 ± 0.13 Bq/kg-wet and 0.07 ± 0.01 Bq/kg-wet, respectively. The radiological assessment result showed that the radioactive release from the FNA would not have a significant adverse effect on marine biota at the population level. •Field marine radioactivity monitoring were conducted in 4 months after FNA.•Elevated activity levels of Cs-137, Cs-134 and Sr-90 in seawater were found.•Cs-134 and Ag-110 m were found in the squid sample.•Radiological risk assessment on marine biota was done.