Estimation of soil-to-plant transfer factors of radiocesium in 99 wild plant species grown in arable lands 1 year after the Fukushima 1 Nuclear Power Plant accident.

One year after the deposition of radionuclides from the Fukushima 1 Nuclear Power Plant (A formal name is Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station) in March 2011, radiocesium (¹³4Cs, ¹³7Cs) concentrations ([Cs]) were comprehensively investigated in the wild plants of 99 species most of which were annual or summer green perennial herbs and started to grow from April 2012 at the heavily contaminated fields of paddy (three study sites) and upland (one study site) in Fukushima Prefecture. The survey was conducted three times (April, July and October) in the year. In each site, soils (soil cores of 5-cm depth) and plants (aerial shoots) were collected for determination of [Cs] on a dry weight basis, and then the transfer factor (TF) of radiocesium from soil to plant ([Cs]plant/[Cs]soil) was estimated in each species. The [Cs] values of both soils and plants largely varied. However, some species exhibited relatively high TF values (more than 0.4) (e.g., Athyrium yokoscense, Dryopteris tokyoensis, and Cyperus brevifolius), while others exhibited almost negligible values (less than 0.01) (e.g., Salix miyabeana, Humulus scandens, and Elymus tsukushiensis). In addition, judging from the 11 species grown in both paddy and upland fields, TF values were generally higher in the paddy fields. The estimation of phytoextraction efficiency of soil radiocesium by weed communities in the paddy fields suggests that the weed community is not a practical candidate for phytoremediation technique.

An assessment of radioactivity levels of 210Pb and 40K in tobacco and radiation exposure from smoking.

No research has been conducted on the radiation influence of tobacco on the alimentary system, although there have been some previous works on the respiratory system. In this study, the radioactive concentrations of 210Pb and 40K in a cigarette sample were first measured. The transfer factors of the nuclides from tobacco into smoke and solution (saliva and/or alcohol) were then examined. Moreover, the radiation doses from smoke inhalation were also evaluated. The radioactive concentrations of 210Pb and 40K in the cigarette tobacco were 0.01 and 0.3 Bq/cigarette. Since this 210Pb activity and the 210Po activity previously reported for the same sample were comparable, it can be concluded that there was a radioactive equilibrium between the 2 nuclides. The observed transfer factor of 210Pb (12%) into smoke was almost the same as that of 40K (15%), whereas the reported value for 210Po (60%) was significantly higher. The radiation doses due to inhalation of cigarette smoke varied from organ to organ, depending on the organotropic properties of the nuclide. For example, the kidneys, respiratory tract, and spleen showed relatively high doses from 210Pb and 210Po. The leaching rates indicated an inconsistent tendency related to solution types. This result could suggest that alcohol drinking, which is common in smokers, does not especially enhance the leaching characteristics.

Radioactivity and radon emanation fraction of the granites sampled at Misasa and Badgastein.

The chemical composition was analyzed and the radioactivity, radon exhalation rate and emanation fraction were measured to investigate the characteristics of the granites sampled at Misasa and Badgastein, world famous for radon therapy. The Misasa granite was probably composed of quartz, albite and microcline. The Badgastein granite was probably composed of quartz and muscovite. The radon exhalation rates and emanation fractions of the Misasa granite were much higher than those of the Badgastein granite, regardless of the (226)Ra activity concentrations.

A comparative study on the characteristics of radioactivities and negative air ions originating from the minerals in some radon hot springs.

To elucidate the characteristics of some radon hot springs, we simulated a hot spring by soaking the rocks for the radon therapy in water and measured the concentrations of radon and negative air ions in various conditions. In the results, the individual rock structure could contribute to radon leaching because the radon leaching rates were independent of the grain sizes. More negative air ions were generated by the wet rocks than by the dry rocks.

Evaluation of IAEA Clearance Concept for Low-level Radioactive Waste from a Radioisotope Research Institute.

UNLABELLED: The clearance of solid low-level radioactive laboratory waste (LLRW) after decay-in-storage (DIS) obtained from a research institute and thoroughly separated using the separation and classification protocols presented in this study was evaluated. METHOD: The radioisotope (RI) content of incinerated LLRW from the specified RI research group (group A); the RI content of LLRW obtained in fiscal year 2000, which contained radionuclides with half-lives of less than 164 d (LLRW2); and the RI content of the LLRW reported in group A's disposal records were compared. The LLRW2 and LLRW of group A were incinerated after 2 y of decay-in-storage and immediately after storage, respectively. RESULTS: The highest ratio of the RI of incinerated LLRW to the value in the disposal records was 2.52 for 5¹Cr. The radioactivities of radionuclides in both the LLRW2 and LLRW for ³5S, 45Ca, 5¹Cr, ¹²5I, ³²P, ³³P, and 99mTc and the incinerated ash after 1 y later of decay-in-storage were below the clearance level defined by the RS-G-1.7 of the International Basic Safety Standard without contamination by ³H and ¹4C. These remains contained very small amounts of some long-half-life radionuclides of natural origin after 7 y of decay-in-storage. CONCLUSION: This LLRW separation protocol was effective for the separation of ³H and ¹4C. LLRW2 after 2 years of DIS and its incinerated ash after one year later of DIS were below the clearance level for radioactivity and radioactivity concentration.

Applicability and performance of an imaging plate at subzero temperatures.

The performance of imaging plates (IPs) has not been studied at temperatures lower than 0 degrees C. In the present study, an IP was irradiated with gamma rays emitted from the mineral monazite at temperatures between -80 and 30 degrees C to determine its fundamental properties. The IP response as a function of irradiation time was found to be linear, suggesting that the IP works properly at low temperatures. Fading, an effect which should be considered at temperatures of more than 0 degrees C, was not observed at -30 and -80 degrees C. Furthermore, the fading-corrected PSL value of the IP irradiated at -80 degrees C was lower than at other temperatures (30, 5 and -30 degrees C). This can be explained by thermostimulated luminescence (TSL). Since the only intensive TSL peak in the temperature range from -80 to 30 degrees C is present at about -43 degrees C, some of the electrons trapped at F centers recombine with holes through the process of TSL before the stored radiation image is read out at room temperature. This finding suggests that the apparent sensitivity of the IP is lower at -80 degrees C although it is similar to sensitivities between -30 and 30 degrees C. This low sensitivity should be corrected to perform quantitative measurements.