Environmental contamination and external radiation dose rates from radionuclides released from the Fukushima nuclear power plant

Taira, Yasuyuki; Hayashida, Naomi; Yamashita, Shunichi; Kudo, Takashi; Matsuda, Naoki; Takahashi, Jumpei; Gutevitc, Alexander; Kazlovsky, Alexander; Takamura, Noboru

doi:10.1093/rpd/ncs040

Cited by 27 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Overall, our radioactivity measurements are compatible with previously published measurements and dose estimates4344. Higher exposure levels for barn swallows can thus be predicted in more highly contaminated areas.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

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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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Abundance and genetic damage of barn swallows from Fukushima

Bonisoli‐Alquati

Koyama

Tedeschi

et al. 2015

Sci Rep

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“…(4,6,7) Nevertheless, we found that anxiety over radiation exposure is still a major problem for residents in Fukushima Prefecture.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 78%

Determinants of the return to hometowns after the accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant: a case study for the village of Kawauchi

Orita

Hayashida

Urata

et al. 2013

Radiation Protection Dosimetry

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The Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 destroyed the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) and almost all residents in a 20 km radius from the plant eventually evacuated. FNPP reactors had stabilized in December 2011 and some evacuees decided to return to their hometowns, the other evacuees remain. We tried to identify the determinants that affect the decision to return home in order to promote recovery of the surrounding area of FNPP. We selected 71 residents who had not returned to home town and 56 residents who had returned. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors showed that being female (OR: 2.43, p=0.03), living in areas with relatively higher ambient doses (OR: 3.60, p=0.01) and expressing anxiety over radiation exposure (OR: 8.91, p<0.01) were independently associated with decisions not to return. Our current results suggest the importance of active participation by scientists and local authorities in communicating the risk to the general population involved in returning home.

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“…Eikenberg et al (2004) compared the total atmospheric release of long-lived fission radionuclides and actinides from the atomic bomb tests and the Chernobyl reactor explosion. In comparison with the sum of all previously performed tests, the values for 90 (Taira et al 2012). Nuclear energy sources are also utilized in some spacecraft, satellites and deep sea acoustic signal transmitters for heat or electricity generation, the two common types of nuclear energy sources are radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and nuclear reactors.…”

Section: Sources Of Radionuclides In the Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phytoremediation of Radionuclides: A Report on the State of the Art

Jagetiya¹,

Sharma²,

Soni³

et al. 2014

Radionuclide Contamination and Remediation Through Plants

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Radionuclides mobilization through extraction from ores and processing for various applications has led to the discharge of these harmful elements into the environment. These contaminants pose a great risk to human health and environment. Remediation of radionuclides and toxic heavy metals deserves the proper attention. Conventional remediation methods used for polluted environments have many limitations including high costs, alteration in soil properties, and disruption in soil native microflora. Alternatively, phytoremediation can serve as a prospective method for decontamination and rehabilitation of polluted sites. The term phytoremediation actually refers to a diverse collection of plant-based technologies, i.e. either naturally occurring or genetically engineered plants are used for cleaning the contaminated environment. Phytoremediation techniques are eco-friendly, cost-effective, easy to implement, and offer an aesthetic value and solar-driven processes with better public acceptance. Practicing various agronomic alterations as well as spatial and successful combination of different plant species assures maximal phytoremediation efficiency. Plants and microorganisms can be genetically modified to remediate the contaminated ecosystems at an accelerated rate. We can harvest better results from phytoremediation technologies by learning more about the different biological processes involved. The future of phytoremediation comprises of ongoing research work and has to go through a developmental phase and several technical barriers. Several attempts still need to be performed with multidisciplinary approach for successful future phytoremedial programmes. This report comprehensively reviews the background, techniques, concept and future course in phytoremediation of heavy metals, particularly radionuclides.

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Environmental contamination and external radiation dose rates from radionuclides released from the Fukushima nuclear power plant

Cited by 27 publications

References 10 publications

Abundance and genetic damage of barn swallows from Fukushima

Abundance and genetic damage of barn swallows from Fukushima

Determinants of the return to hometowns after the accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant: a case study for the village of Kawauchi

Phytoremediation of Radionuclides: A Report on the State of the Art

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