Geo-environmental Risk Research Group
Japanese
Research Activities Associated with Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake induced contamination of a large area by radioactive substances. Although more than 3 years have passed since the accident, Japan is still facing many difficulties towards recovery. Several projects related to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident have been performed.
Evaluation of the Cost and Efficiency of Off-Site Decontamination
Quantitative evaluation of the cost and efficiency of decontamination is important for determining the ways and/or approaches for decontamination. In this study, a model for evaluating the cost and efficiency of decontamination was proposed and applied to decontamination activities in Fukushima prefecture. The results were published through Webpages, and scientific papers, and were reported by mass media.
- Evaluation of cost and efficiency of decontamination (AIST New_Research in Japanese)
- Analysis of cost and efficiency of decontamination (an open document in Japanese)
Peer-reviewed papers:
T. Yasutaka et al.,(2013) Chemosphere,93(6),1222-1229.
T. Yasutaka et al.,(2013) PLOS ONE,8(9),e75308.
Studies on Storage and Volume Reduction of Radioactive Wastes
The mobility of radioactive cesium is known very low in soils. Studies on applicability of the methods for volume reduction, and transport properties of radioactive cesium with soils containing plant and wood wastes are being performed.
- Discussion about storage of radioactive soils (an open document in Japanese)
- Vertical distribution of radioactive substances in soil and applicability of soil washing method (an open document in Japanese)
Peer-reviewed paper:
T. Yashitaka et al. (2013): RADIOISOTPES, 62(4)
Development and Standardization of Technologies for Rapid Measurement of Radioactive Cesium in Water
Conventional approach for measuring radioactive cesium with low concentration in water requires condensation of water up to 20 to 100L, and the time required for processing can be as long as more than 6 hours to 1 week. With the support for JST, a new approach capable of capturing and adsorbing radioactive cesium by a column containing Prussian blue has been developed and applied in practice.
- Prototype (AIST New_Research in Japanese)
- Improved Version (JST announce in Japanese)
Peer-reviewed papers:
T.Yasutaka et al.,(2013) Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology.50(7), pp.674-681.
H. Tsuji et al., (2014) Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Volume 299, Issue 1, pp 139-147.
T. Yasutaka et al. (2013) Analytical Chemistry, 62(6). pp.499-506. (In Japanese).
Transportation Behavior of Radioactive Cesium in Environment
Using the new approach introduced above, environmental monitoring has been performed at several sites in Fukushima Prefecture. In addition, the transfer of radioactive cesium from water to plants has been investigated.
- The concentration of radioactive cesium in the water at Abukuma river was confirmed to be low (AIST New_Research in Japanese)
Peer-reviewed papers:
Y. Ishikawa et al. (2014) Journal of Japan Society on Water Environment, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 29-43 (In Japanese)
T. Yasutaka et al.,(Accepted) Soil science and plant nutrient, in press.
H.Tsuji et al.,(Accepted).Water Research, in press.
T. Yasutaka et al.,(2012) Proceedingsof International Symposium on Environmental monitoring and dose estimation ofresidents after accident of TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear PowerStation, pp137-140.