Contamination of Wild Animals: Effects on Wildlife in High Radioactivity Areas of the Agricultural and Forest Landscape

Ishida, Ken

doi:10.1007/978-4-431-54328-2_12

Cited by 20 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Although reports of mutations and ecological devastation are limited, radiation has affected lycaenid butterflies (Hiyama et al 2012), birds and animals (Ishida 2013), and earthworms (Hasegawa et al 2013). Moreover, organisms have absorbed radioactive particles from the environment (Murakami et al 2014).…”

Section: Ecological Damage and Extent Of Radioactive Contaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Radioactive Contamination on the Forestry Industry and Commercial Mushroom-Log Production in Fukushima, Japan

Miura

2016

Agricultural Implications of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

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The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2011 left surrounding residential, agricultural, and forested areas contaminated with radiation on a massive scale. To encourage evacuees to return to their homes and resume agricultural practices, large-scale decontamination of radioactive zones is ongoing in residential and agricultural areas. However, contamination of forests is extensive and decontamination efforts have been limited by remote access, significant labor requirements, and the considerable amount of anticipated radioactive waste. Consequently, there has been no large-scale effort to decontaminate forests as there has been for residential and agricultural land. In this paper, we examine the current protection of forests from radioactive contamination and discuss measures required to promote forest restoration. In addition, we consider how forest contamination relates to radiation exposure in humans and summarize the state of the forestry industry since the Fukushima accident. We also consider how radiation affects forest products in Fukushima, emphasizing mushroom-log production. Finally, we examine the challenges surrounding the reconstruction and revival of forests and forestry in Fukushima.

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Section: Ecological Damage and Extent Of Radioactive Contaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Radioactive Contamination on the Forestry Industry and Commercial Mushroom-Log Production in Fukushima, Japan

Miura

2016

Agricultural Implications of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

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“…A description of the Abukuma Mountains was given in the previous volume (Ishida 2013). Here I explain the detailed characteristics of the habitats, which relate to wildlife radiation exposure and biodiversity of the most highly contaminated areas.…”

Section: Landscape Climate and Biodiversity Of Abukuma Highlandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tail feathers (Pirastro et al 1993) of the bush warblers, caught at Akaugi, were contaminated with up to 556 Bq/g of 137 Cs, 134 Cs, and 110m Ag in mid-August 2011 (Ishida 2013). The contamination level of feathers at the same site decreased to about 20 % in 2012 and contamination became less frequent among the individuals in 2013.…”

Section: Effects Of Radioactivity On Bush Warbler and Boarmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Monitoring the ways in which free-living animals, say in-situ wildlife, experience changing radiation levels and other environmental factors at Fukushima and Chernobyl (where the severe, IAEA rank seven, nuclear power accidents have been experienced), is crucial for the future world of higher radiation levels (Akimoto 2014;Hiyama et al 2012;Ishida 2013;Møller et al 2013). Since March 11, 2011, highly contaminated areas stretch northwestward from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (F1NPP), to the northern Abukuma highland, Fukushima Prefecture,Japan (Figs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Contamination of Wild Animals: Microhabitat Heterogeneity and Ecological Factors of Radioactive Cesium Exposure in Fukushima

Ishida

2016

Agricultural Implications of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

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Wildlife, mainly 69 bird (Aves) species, has been observed in Abukuma Mountains, northeastern Fukushima Prefecture, which is the most radioactively contaminated area, over the seasons since July 2011. However, it is still unclear whether the changes in the bird community have been caused by the radioactive contamination and/or by changes in human activity, adding to the natural dynamics. The aerial dose rate at the survey area was initially estimated to be more than 100 μSv/h (mainly 137 Cs, 134 Cs, and 131 I), which decreased in the summer of 2014 to 0.1-20 μSv/h (mainly 137 Cs and 134 Cs). Radioactivity in wild habitats is heterogeneous among the microhabitats and is dynamic through time and seasonal conditions. Microhabitat radio-heterogeneity was clearly indicated by the 2-month-long measurement with 200 dosimeter badges in this study. The ecological factors related to free living (in-situ) wildlife in the highly contaminated area of Fukushima are discussed.

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“…Several other studies have assessed the concentration of the radionuclides in the biological tissues of animals and plants (mammals:1314; fish:715; birds:16; plants171819). …”

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confidence: 99%

Abundance and genetic damage of barn swallows from Fukushima

Bonisoli‐Alquati

Koyama

Tedeschi

et al. 2015

Sci Rep

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A number of studies have assessed or modeled the distribution of the radionuclides released by the accident at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP). Few studies however have investigated its consequences for the local biota. We tested whether exposure of barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) nestlings to low dose ionizing radiation increased genetic damage to their peripheral erythrocytes. We estimated external radiation exposure by using thermoluminescent dosimeters, and by measuring radioactivity of the nest material. We then assessed DNA damage by means of the neutral comet assay. In addition, we conducted standard point-count censuses of barn swallows across environmental radiation levels, and estimated their abundance and local age ratio. Radioactivity of nest samples was in the range 479–143,349 Bq kg−1, while external exposure varied between 0.15 and 4.9 mGy. Exposure to radioactive contamination did not correlate with higher genetic damage in nestlings. However, at higher levels of radioactive contamination the number of barn swallows declined and the fraction of juveniles decreased, indicating lower survival and lower reproduction and/or fledging rate. Thus, genetic damage to nestlings does not explain the decline of barn swallows in contaminated areas, and a proximate mechanism for the demographic effects documented here remains to be clarified.

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Contamination of Wild Animals: Effects on Wildlife in High Radioactivity Areas of the Agricultural and Forest Landscape

Cited by 20 publications

References 6 publications

The Effects of Radioactive Contamination on the Forestry Industry and Commercial Mushroom-Log Production in Fukushima, Japan

The Effects of Radioactive Contamination on the Forestry Industry and Commercial Mushroom-Log Production in Fukushima, Japan

Contamination of Wild Animals: Microhabitat Heterogeneity and Ecological Factors of Radioactive Cesium Exposure in Fukushima

Abundance and genetic damage of barn swallows from Fukushima

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