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Characterization of atmospheric tritiated water concentration in the vicinity of the fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant

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Abstract

This paper discusses the spatiotemporal variation in atmospheric tritiated water (HTO) concentration near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) from 2019 to 2021. The monthly HTO concentrations varied seasonally from below the detection limit to 280.4 mBq m− 3. The HTO concentrations were decreased with the distance from the FDNPP to the pre-accident level at 5 km. The concentration was related to northeasterly wind, suggesting a potential atmospheric release of HTO vapor from the FDNPP. Our results highlight the need for detailed studies to comprehend HTO transport in atmospheric environments.

Article highlights

Post-accident level of tritiated water (HTO) vapor in the atmosphere around Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP).

Decrease in atmospheric HTO concentration as the distance between the FDNPP and the observation points increased.

Study findings useful for estimating the effects of future treated water disposal in the oceans from the FDNPP.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all the participants in our research, particularly the staff members at the municipal government of Okuma and the owners of the sites for permitting access. We thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive reviews and suggestions. This work was partly supported by the NIFS collaboration research programs, NIFS18KOCA003 and NIFS21KOCA005, JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP21H03607 and Fukushima University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, 960-1296, Fukushima- shi, Fukushima, Japan

    Shigekazu Hirao

  2. Institute for Environmental Sciences, 1-7 Ienomae, Obuchi, Rokkasho-mura, Kamikita-gun, 039-3212, Aomori, Japan

    Hideki Kakiuchi

  3. Hirosaki University, 66-1 Honcho, 036-8564, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan

    Naofumi Akata

  4. Kyushu Environmental Evaluation Association, 1-10-1 Matsukadai, Higashi-ku, 813-0004, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan

    Toshiya Tamari & Nagayoshi Shima

  5. Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, 819-0395, Fukuoka, Japan

    Shinji Sugihara

  6. Research Promotion Headquarters, Fujita Health University, 1-98 Dengakugakubo Kutsukakecho, Toyoake Aichi, 470-1192, Japan

    Sumi Yokoyama

  7. National Institute for Fusion Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 322-6 Oroshi-cho, 509-5292, Toki, Gifu, Japan

    Masahiro Tanaka

Authors
  1. Shigekazu Hirao
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  2. Hideki Kakiuchi
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  8. Masahiro Tanaka
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Correspondence to Shigekazu Hirao.

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Hirao, S., Kakiuchi, H., Akata, N. et al. Characterization of atmospheric tritiated water concentration in the vicinity of the fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 331, 3077–3083 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08374-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08374-2

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