Pre- and Post-Accident 14C Activities in tree rings near the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant

Radiocarbon ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 1633-1642
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Matsunaka ◽  
Kimikazu Sasa ◽  
Tsutomu Takahashi ◽  
Masumi Matsumura ◽  
Yukihiko Satou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Japanese Cypress ◽  
Fdnpp Accident ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Area Of Influence

ABSTRACTAreas affected by routine radiocarbon (14C) discharges from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) and accidental releases in March 2011 were investigated by analysis of cores from Japanese cypress and cedar trees growing at sites 9 and 24 km northwest of the plant. 14C concentrations in tree rings from 2008–2014 (before and after the accident) were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry, with 14C activities in the range 231–256 Bq kg−1 C. Activities during the period 2012–2014, after FDNPP shutdown, represent background levels, while the significantly higher levels recorded during 2008–2010, before the accident, indicate uptake of 14C from routine FDNPP operations. The mean excess 14C activity for the pre-accident period at the sites 9 and 24 km northwest of the plant were 21 and 12 Bq kg−1 C, respectively, indicating that the area of influence during routine FDNPP operations extended at least 24 km northwest. The mean excess tree-ring 14C activities in 2011 were 10 and 5.8 Bq kg−1 C at 9 and 24 km northwest, respectively, documenting possible impact of the FDNPP accident on 14C levels in trees.

scholarly journals Elevated radioactive contamination from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in aquatic biota from a river with a lake in its upper reaches

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayumi Yoshimura ◽  
Akio Akama
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Aquatic Insects ◽  
Salmo Trutta ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Aquatic Biota ◽  
Fdnpp Accident ◽  
Brown Trout Salmo Trutta ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fukushima Daiichi

Five years have passed since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident occurred. Forests, streams, and lakes remain radioactively contaminated, with slight sign of convergence. The radiocesium concentration of brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Lake Chuzenji (160 km from the FDNPP) still exceeds the Japanese regulatory limit of 100 Bq·kg−1, likely due to elevated contamination in Lake Chuzenji. In this study, the concentration of 134Cs and 137Cs in algae, litter, sand substrate, and aquatic insects in a river originating from Lake Chuzenji (Daiya site) and in a nearby river (Watarase site) from 2013 to 2015 were compared. At the Daiya site, 134Cs and 137Cs concentrations of algae and aquatic insects were high (e.g., 137Cs in algae: 160 Bq·kg−1 at the Watarase site and 320 Bq·kg−1 at the Daiya site) and still increasing in some groups such as Perlodidae and Heptageniidae, though the mean air dose rate (0.05 μSv·h−1) was lower than that at the Watarase site (0.11 μSv·h−1). We attributed this to high flow out of higher 134Cs and 137Cs concentration originating from Lake Chuzenji. Thus, lower reaches fed by contaminated headwaters will likely experience prolonged contamination.

scholarly journals 14C Release in Various Chemical Forms With Gaseous Effluents From the Paks Nuclear Power Plant

Radiocarbon ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 31 (03) ◽  
pp. 754-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ede Hertelendi ◽  
György Uchrin ◽  
Peter Ormai
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Liquid Scintillation ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Scintillation Counting ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Water Reactors

We present results of airborne 14C emission measurements from the Paks PWR nuclear power plant. Long-term release of 14C in the form of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons were simultaneously measured. The results of internal gas-proportional and liquid scintillation counting agree well with theoretical assessments of 14C releases from pressurized water reactors. The mean value of the 14C concentration in discharged air is 130Bqm-3 and the normalized release is equal to 740GBq/GWe · yr. > 95% of 14C released is in the form of hydrocarbons, ca 4% is apportioned to CO2, and <1% to CO. Tree-ring measurements were also made and indicated a minute increase of 14C content in the vicinity of the nuclear power plant.

Annual Variations of 14C Concentration in the Tree Rings in the Vicinity of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant

Radiocarbon ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 1227-1236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Žilvinas Ežerinskis ◽  
Justina Šapolaitė ◽  
Algirdas Pabedinskas ◽  
Laurynas Juodis ◽  
Andrius Garbaras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Tree Rings ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Time Span ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Pine Tree ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometer ◽  
Concentration Changes

ABSTRACTIn this paper we analyze the radiocarbon (14C) concentration changes over the whole operational period of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) including the post-shutdown decommissioning. Environmental samples from the vicinity of the INPP and a rural area as background of pine tree rings were analyzed with the single stage accelerator mass spectrometer (SSAMS). The analysis shows the local influence of the INPP from 3 to 7 pMC. The whole time span from 1983 to 2015 is divided into three periods representing the early and late operational and post-shutdown stages of the INPP with different 14C profiles in analyzed samples. The influence of the maintenance of the INPP and radioactive waste management activities are indicated and discussed.

Dissolution, Mechanical Properties, and Thermal Stability of Microparticles Containing Radioactive Cesium on Plant Litter Derived from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident,  and Soil Decontamination Trials 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ichiro Tanaka ◽  
Atsushi Yamaguchi ◽  
Kenji Kikuchi ◽  
Nobuo Niimura ◽  
Yume Saeki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Plant Litter ◽  
Radioactive Cesium ◽  
Soil Decontamination ◽  
Fdnpp Accident ◽  
Fukushima Daiichi

<p>The radioactive cesium (<sup>134</sup>Cs and <sup>137</sup>Cs), which originated from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, has remained in the soil and on plants as water-insoluble microparticles (termed as CsMPs) to some extent, and maintained relatively high radioactivity levels in the district. However, it has been reported that the radioactive Cs has been absorbed by plants. To interpret this phenomenon, the authors investigated CsMPs to determine if they become soluble during filtration and dialysis experiments. Moreover, other physical properties, such as mechanical properties and thermal stability, were observed during the course of the relevant experiments. These properties can be obtained by using carbonized charcoal litter with CsMPs. And simple and economic decontamination trials of the soil were performed by sieving after drying and roughly crushing.</p>

scholarly journals Differentiation and Integration of Evacuees with Regard to Lifting the Evacuation Order Following the Nuclear Power Plant Accident: A Case Study of Naraha and Tomioka Towns, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1125-1141
Author(s):  
Michimasa Matsumoto ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant Accident ◽  
Fukushima Prefecture ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

As of spring 2018, evacuation orders have been lifted from the entire area of Naraha Town and most of Tomioka, except for certain areas. While many evacuees have chosen their evacuation destinations as their permanent residences, some have returned to their former towns. This paper examines the factors involved in the “differentiation” and “integration” of Naraha and Tomioka residents before and after the disaster and the various forms they assume, based on the results of questionnaire surveys conducted in 2012 and 2015 as well as interviews conducted on a continuing basis since the disaster. In this process, it has become apparent that a split exists between Naraha, whose residents are moving toward “integration” with the lifting of the evacuation order, and Tomioka, whose residents are progressing toward “differentiation.”

scholarly journals Dissolution, Mechanical Properties, and Thermal Stability of Microparticles Containing Radioactive Cesium on Plant Litter Derived from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Ichiro Tanaka ◽  
Atsushi Yamaguchi ◽  
Kenji Kikuchi ◽  
Masakazu Komatsuzaki ◽  
Ichiro Tanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Plant Litter ◽  
Radioactive Cesium ◽  
Fdnpp Accident ◽  
Fukushima Daiichi ◽  
Thermal Stability Of

Most of the radioactive cesium (134Cs and 137Cs), which originated from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, has remained in the soil and on plants as water-insoluble microparticles (termed as CsMPs) and maintained relatively high radioactivity levels in the district. However, it has been reported that the radioactive Cs has been absorbed by plants. To interpret this phenomenon, the authors investigated CsMPs to determine if they become soluble during filtration and dialysis experiments. Moreover, other physical properties, such as mechanical properties and thermal stability, were observed during the course of the relevant experiments. These properties can be obtained by using carbonized charcoal litter with CsMPs.

scholarly journals Historic Perspective on the Conversations to Restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (29) ◽  
pp. 147-172
Author(s):  
Andrea Carolina Ávalos Salgado ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
The Public ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Government

Following the accident of Fukushima in 2011, nuclear facilities in Japan were shut down, and a new evaluation and restart process was developed. Despite the public safety concerns, the current administration expects nuclear energy to become a pillar for economic recovery in the coming years. This paper compares the historic context of restarting Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant before and after Fukushima. The evolution is analyzed through a series of interviews in 2012 and 2013 in the community and with government officers, as well as a close follow-up of the official statements by TEPCO and the government agencies up until the end of 2020. It tackles the development in the relation between TEPCO, local authorities, and local community of this nuclear plant, before and after Fukushima. This historic relation has shown to be the key element in the restart process, even above the legal process.

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