Radiocesium transfer into the fruit of deciduous fruit trees contaminated during dormancy

Following the accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Company, Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), radiocesium (¹³⁴Cs + ¹³⁷Cs) concentrations in deciduous mature fruits were determined in orchards in the northern area of Fukushima Prefecture. At the time of the nuclear accident, most deciduous fruit trees were in the dormant stage prior to bud burst. To evaluate the relationship between radiocesium deposition in the soil and fruit contamination, radiocesium concentrations were measured from the 5-cm topsoil and from six fruit species across 17 orchards in 2011. The vertical distribution of radiocesium in the topsoil (0–30 cm in depth) and its spatial distribution in the 5-cm topsoil underlying the tree canopy of a peach, Prunus persica (L.) Batsh, orchard (“Akatsuki” cultivar) were also investigated. Significant correlations between the radiocesium concentration in the mature fruit and that in the 5-cm topsoil layer were observed for the 17 orchards as well as for the trees of the peach orchard. However, 93% of the ¹³⁷Cs found in the 30-cm soil core was retained within the top 3 cm of the soil in the peach orchard. Considering the profile of the root of this deciduous fruit tree, we assumed a negligible level of radiocesium uptake via the roots. However, the possibility of inward migration via the bark was undeniable, because some radiocesium adhered to the tree canopy before bud burst while depositing on the soil surface. Additionally, transfer factors for peach and grape, hybrid of Vitis labrusca L. and Vitis vinifera L., from young, uncontaminated trees cultivated with contaminated soil were lower than those previously reported.     

Changes in radiocesium concentration in a blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum Aiton) orchard resulting from radioactive fallout

We investigated changes in the radiocesium concentration in a blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum Aiton) orchard in Fukushima prefecture to clarify the radiocesium contamination for 3 years after the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident occurred in mid-March 2011. In the aboveground part of blueberry bushes, the concentrations of radiocesium in branches that were directly affected by radioactive fallout were the highest among the samples investigated, and the concentrations in fruits were the lowest. The concentration of radiocesium decreased exponentially in the fruits and leaves over 3 years. The radiocesium concentrations in soils were higher in the surface layer. The amount of radiocesium in organic matter on the soil surface under the canopy greatly decreased from 2011 to 2012. The transfer factor of the radiocesium from soil to blueberry fruits decreased annually. These results suggest that radiocesium adhered directly to the aboveground organs of blueberry bushes in March 2011, and it is possible that the accumulation of radiocesium in fruits is mainly due to radiocesium transfer from the branches and trunk to fruits for several years after the nuclear power plant accident.     

Abstracts of Nipon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

We investigated changes in radiocesium concentrations in a Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieold &; Zucc.) orchard in Ibaraki prefecture for 3 years after the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in March 2011. The radiocesium concentrations in the aboveground organs of Japanese chestnut trees were almost the same, while the concentration in the roots was the lowest among all the organs investigated. The concentration of radiocesium decreased exponentially for 3 years in nuts, leaves and current shoots. The radiocesium concentrations in soils were higher in the surface layer, and the trend of an annual decrease in radiocesium in the soils was similar to that of the natural decay of radiocesium. The transfer factor of radiocesium from soils to nuts of Japanese chestnut decreased annually. These results suggest that radiocesium adhered directly to the aboveground organs of Japanese chestnut trees in March 2011, and that the accumulation of radiocesium in nuts is mainly due to radiocesium transfer from the branches and trunk to nuts several years after the nuclear power plant accident.     

Rice Bran Addition to Leaf Compost Can Reduce Radiocesium Concentration and Its Uptake by Crops After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Abstract

Leaf composting is an essential technique in organic farming; it improves the physicochemical properties of soil such as texture, structure, water-holding capacity, and nutrient content. However, the use of leaf compost is prohibited in the Fukushima and Ibaraki prefectures because large areas of the Fukushima and Ibaraki forests were contaminated by radiocesium (¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs) after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident. We examined the changes in radio Cs concentration and other physicochemical properties in leaf compost made from Ibaraki and Fukushima forest leaves. At the beginning of the composting process, rice bran-treated compost showed 25%–32% lower radio Cs concentration than the leaf-only compost; however, 2?years after composting, the difference in concentration between these treatments had increased to 35%–63%. Moreover, the incorporation of rice bran significantly increased the compost temperature, moisture, electrical conductivity, bulk density, and total nitrogen during the composting process. Plant uptake of radio Cs was significantly lower in rice bran-treated compost than the leaf-only compost at each level of application; furthermore, the levels of soil radio Cs showed a similar trend. Potassium application combined with leaf compost resulted in a significant reduction of radio Cs plant uptake. Our data revealed that adding rice bran to leaves positively affects radio Cs reduction in leaf compost and also reduces its uptake by plants. Our findings may improve the management of leaf composting after the FDNPP accident.     

Effect of the application of polluted wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Thell.) straw during plowing on the transfer of radiocesium from the soil to komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis)

Radioactive substances were released into the environment after the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station; this led to the contamination of the soil at Fukushima Prefecture. Mixing of organic matter with soil during plowing is known to influence radiocesium (¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs) absorption by crops. However, the effect of mixing organic matter polluted by radioactive substances during plowing on radiocesium absorption by plants is not yet known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on the radiocesium absorption by komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis) cultivated in a 45-L container containing Andosol (14,300 Bq kg^?1) or Gray Lowland soil (33,500 Bq kg^?1) mixed with polluted wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Thell.) straw (2080 Bq kg^?1). The radiocesium concentration of the plants and the soil and the amount of exchangeable radiocesium in the soil were determined using a germanium semiconductor. The transfer of radiocesium from the soil to plants decreased by 53 and 27% in Andosol and Gray Lowland soil, respectively, after the application of 10 t ha^?1 polluted wheat straw. This reduction in the level of radiocesium transfer might be attributed to potassium contained in the wheat straw, which might compete with cesium during membrane transport and thereby block the transport of cesium from the soil solution to the roots and from the roots to the shoots. Alternatively, the applied wheat straw probably absorbed radiocesium and decreased the amount of exchangeable radiocesium in the soil. Our findings suggest that the mixing of polluted wheat straw with contaminated soil might influence the absorption of radiocesium content by agricultural products. Further studies are warranted to determine the long-term effects of the application of polluted wheat straw on the rate of radiocesium transfer to crops.     

Varietal difference in radiocesium uptake and transfer from radiocesium deposited soils in the genus Amaranthus

Abstract

Within Amaranthaceae, 33 different varieties, including local varieties from Japan, were grown in 2012 in a field in the town of Iino in the Fukushima prefecture, which is located approximately 51 km north of Tokyo Electric Power Company, Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP). The contamination level of the soil was 2770 ± 140 Bq kg^?1 dry weight (¹³⁴Cesium (Cs) + ¹³⁷Cs, average ± SE), and the field was also cultivated in 2011. There was a significant varietal difference in the dry weight production, radiocesium accumulation and transfer factor (TF) of radiocesium from the soil to the plant. The ratio of the lowest TF to the highest TF was approximately 3. Because the ratio of ¹³⁷Cs to ¹³³Cs was significantly positive, radiocesium seems to be absorbed in a manner similar to that of ¹³³Cs. It is suggested that the varietal difference in the behavior of radiocesium uptake mainly depends on its genetic background rather than on environmental factors.     

Transfer of radiocesium from hydroponic medium to potherb mustard and tomato plants

Abstract

Potherb mustard (Brassica rapa var. nipposinica) and tomato plants (scion, ‘CF Momotaro haruka’; rootstock, ‘Dokutar K’; Solanum lycopersicum) were cultured in hydroponic medium containing cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) at three different concentrations (0.03, 0.13 and 1.03 Bq L^?1), and uptake of ¹³⁷C into the plants was determined. When the ¹³⁷Cs radioactivity concentration in the medium was 1.03 Bq L^?1, the ¹³⁷Cs radioactivity concentrations in the edible portions of the plants were 4.80 Bq kg^?1 fresh weight for the potherb mustard plants and 3.60 Bq kg^?1 fresh weight for the tomato plants. In both species, the ¹³⁷Cs radioactivity concentration in the edible portions decreased with decreasing ¹³⁷Cs radioactivity concentration in the culture medium. When the ¹³⁷Cs radioactivity concentration in the medium was 0.03 Bq L^?1, a concentration observed in many streams and in tap water in Fukushima Prefecture after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the ¹³⁷Cs radioactivity concentrations in the edible portions of the plants were 0.50 and 0.15 Bq kg^?1 fresh weight for potherb mustard and tomato plants, respectively. These values are less than the Japanese allowable limit for radiocesium in food. For both species, the transfer factors for ¹³⁷Cs uptake from the culture media to the edible portions and the average transfer rates over the cultivation period were calculated.     

赣江中游水源涵养林乔木和蕨类植物凋落物持水和失水特征

选取赣江中游典型水源涵养林中常见的3种常绿针叶树、3种落叶阔叶树、4种常绿阔叶树和5种蕨类植物的凋落叶,通过室内浸泡试验和失水试验研究了植物凋落物的持水和失水特征。结果表明:(1)凋落物的吸水速率均显示出随浸泡时间增加而降低的趋势,到8 h基本趋于平缓,24 h达到饱和状态,而失水速率随着失水时间的增加逐渐减少,到12 h后趋于稳定;(2)蕨类植物凋落物的饱和持水量(202.5%)显著高于落叶阔叶树(173.0%)、常绿阔叶树(124.6%)和常绿针叶树(86.5%),而24 h内蕨类植物的失水量(65.4%)与落叶阔叶树(65.4%)之间没有显著差异,但均高于常绿阔叶树(53.6%)和常绿针叶树(42.8%);(3)凋落物饱和持水量和平均失水速率与其初始密度呈显著负相关(R~2分别为0.428和0.266),而与初始比叶面积呈显著正相关(R~2分别为0.488和0.398),这表明叶密度和比叶面积是决定物种间凋落物持水和失水特征差异的重要因素。研究结果揭示了蕨类植物凋落物在森林水源涵养功能中的重要作用,为赣江中游水源涵养林生态系统服务功能评估和林业管理措施制定提供科技支撑。     

Vertical distribution and bioavailability of 137Cs in organic and mineral soils

The vertical distribution and bioavailability of ¹³⁷Cs in Histosols and mineral soils with different physicochemical properties from the southeast of Bavaria (Germany) more than ten years after the Chernobyl accident were the focus of this study. The vertical distribution of ¹³⁷Cs was low in the investigated soils. About 85–98 % of the total ¹³⁷Cs was located in the upper 10 cm of the mineral soils. Slightly higher ¹³⁷Cs percentages were observed in deeper soil layers of the peat soils. Although the organic matter is assumed to enhance ¹³⁷Cs mobility in soils, ¹³⁷Cs was also located in the upper 10 cm of the peat soils (73–85 %). The highest ¹³⁷Cs‐activities were found in the humus layers of forest soils, where 45–93 % of the total ¹³⁷Cs soil inventories were observed. To determine the bioavailability of radiocesium, the soil‐to‐plant transfer of ¹³⁷Cs and additionally added ¹³⁴Cs was investigated under controlled conditions. The results revealed that the ^134+137Cs soil‐to‐plant transfer factors as well as the percentages of NH₄‐exchangeable ^134+137Cs were much higher for the peat soils and humus layers than for the mineral soils. Nevertheless, the migration of ¹³⁷Cs from the humus layers to the underlying soils was low. Considering the high bioavailability and low migration of radiocesium in the humus layers, it is suggested that radiocesium is involved in a shortcut element cycle in the system humus layer‐plant uptake‐litter. Furthermore, the organic matter has to be taken into account for radiocesium immobilization.     

Influence of potassium on uptake and distribution op cesium in bush beans

Bush beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Improved Tendergreen, were grown for 18 days in 3700 ml. nutrient solutions in a factorial experiment involving 3 levels of K (10^‐2, 10^‐3, 10^‐4N) and 3 levels of Cs (10^‐4, 5 x 10^‐5, 10^‐5N). Mild K deficiency was observed for the low K level but no yield differences were due to Cs. Increasing K markedly decreased the Cs concentrations in all plant parts. The relative uptake of K vs Cs was not influenced by Cs but was by K. The concentration ratio (C.R.) for K in trifoliate leaves varied from 99 (high K) to 7315 (low K). The C.R, for Cs in trifoliate leaves varied from 8,67 (high K) to,0.96 (low K). Potassium was translocated to trifoliate leaves from 89 to 843 times that of Cs. The “Y”; values for Cs in plant parts was consistently near 1 meaning that Cs uptake was directly proportional to its concentration in the nutrient solution. The “Y”; values for K in plant parts were around 0.5 for 10^‐3/10^‐4N K but only about 0,2 for 10^‐2/10^‐3N K. Roots accumulated about 6 times more Cs than did leaves while K was quite uniformly distributed among plant parts. The uptake relationship for K and Cs then was vastly different indicating that K would not likely be a good carrier of radiocesium in food chains.     

杉木取代阔叶林后林下水源涵养功能差异评价

为研究杉木人工林取代常绿落叶阔叶混交林后土壤水源涵养能力的变化,采用室内浸水法和环刀法分别研究杉木纯林和常绿落叶阔叶混交林的枯落物与土壤的持水特性。结果表明:(1)枯落物平均蓄积量表现为常绿落叶阔叶混交林(3.42 t/hm^2)>杉木纯林(3.12 t/hm^2),枯落物平均厚度表现为杉木纯林(9.17 cm)>常绿落叶阔叶混交林(5.42 cm)。(2)最大持水量表现为常绿落叶阔叶混交林(6.23 t/hm^2)>杉木纯林(5.57 t/hm^2),最大持水率也表现出相同的规律,即常绿落叶阔叶混交林(184.40%)>杉木纯林(179.50%);有效拦蓄量表现为常绿落叶阔叶混交林(4.48 t/hm^2)>杉木纯林(4.13 t/hm^2),最大拦蓄量表现为常绿落叶阔叶混交林(5.41 t/hm^2)>杉木纯林(4.97 t/hm^2)。(3)枯落物层的吸水量与浸水时间符合对数函数Q=aln(t)+b,而吸水速率与浸水时间符合指数函数V=at^b,常绿落叶阔叶混交林的蓄水能力强于杉木纯林。(4)土壤水分最大吸持贮水量表现为常绿落叶阔叶混交林(43.58 mm)>杉木纯林(41.88 mm),可以看出常绿落叶阔叶混交林内的土壤可以更好地为植被提供良好的水分供其生长;土壤水分最大滞留贮存量表现为常绿落叶阔叶混交林(8.20 mm)<杉木纯林(10.22 mm),即杉木纯林内的土壤具有更好的涵养水源能力。从枯落物最大持水量、有效拦蓄量以及土壤毛管孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度等多个因素的计算综合推断可知,杉木人工林水源涵养能力优于常绿落叶阔叶混交林。     

Radiocesium transfer from Andosols to brown rice in the northern and northwest areas of Tochigi Prefecture,in the first 3 years following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident

ABSTRACT

Following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident of 2011, the potential for radiocesium transfer from contaminated soils, such as Andosols, to agricultural crops became a significant concern. Andosols account for up to 70％ of paddy soils in the northern and northwest areas of Tochigi Prefecture, where the radiocesium concentration is 1000 Bq kg^?1 or greater in the soil of some fields. The present study was carried out in order to determine the phytoavailability of radiocesium in Andosols by comparing it with that of gray lowland soils in the first 3 years following the accident. The transfer factor (TF) tended to be higher in Andosols than in gray lowland soils, leading to higher radiocesium concentrations in brown rice grown in Andosols. The exchangeable potassium (Ex-K₂O) in Andosols was highly and negatively correlated with TF, followed by clay. The Ex-K₂O value was positively correlated with the clay/total carbon (T-C) value, suggesting that a high T–C ratio could weaken K₂O adsorption on clay mineral sites; hence, the low clay/T-C values can partially explain the relatively large TF values of Andosols. Samples with Ex-K₂O contents less than 200 mg kg^?1 and with low clay/T-C values showed striking decreases in TF values from 2011 to 2012. However, the decrease from 2012 to 2013 was quite small; radiocesium in these samples was potentially available for rice uptake for a long time, likely due to the reversible adsorption and fixation characteristics of allophane. Most gray lowland soil samples showed very low TF values over the 3 years of the study, except for those with TF values greater than 0.1 due to low Ex-K₂O and clay contents; the geometric mean (GM) value of TF was below 0.01 in 2012. The extraction of exchangeable radiocesium (Ex-Cs) with a 1 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate solution may not be an appropriate method for explaining the variability in radiocesium TF in Andosols. This is because the Ex-Cs value was significantly correlated with Ex-K₂O in Andosols, but not in gray lowland soils, indicating that Ex-K₂O explained this variability in relation to Ex-Cs.     

Cesium uptake of field-grown Amaranthus species in Fukushima focusing on Cs concentration in xylem exudate and root distribution

ABSTRACT

Radiocesium (RCs) discharged by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.) accident has extensively contaminated agricultural land in Fukushima Prefecture and its neighboring areas. Many studies have demonstrated that Cs (RCs and ¹³³Cs) uptake of plants is affected by the exchangeable K (Ex-K) concentration in soil. However, the precise plant–soil interaction in relation to Cs uptake is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate Cs uptake of plant in field by focusing on xylem exudate and roots because nutrients in xylem exudate reflect medium (soil) conditions and affect nutrient accumulation in shoots. Two varieties of amaranth, K4 (Amaranthus caudatus L.) and Mexico type (A. hypochondriacus L.), which have different Cs uptake abilities, were grown in four fields and in pots (750 to 3440 Bq kg^?1 of RCs) in Fukushima Prefecture. Cs concentrations in xylem exudate, shoot, and soil; Ex-K concentration in soil; and root distribution in soil were determined. RCs concentration in xylem exudate varied from 0.04 to 164 Bq kg^?1 and ¹³³Cs concentration in xylem exudate ranged from 0.01 to 33.7 μg kg^?1. The Cs concentrations were decreased by the high Ex-K concentration and the large amount of 2:1 type clay minerals in soil. The average of the ratios of Cs concentration in shoot to Cs concentration in xylem exudate for all samples was 127 ± 112 (mean ± standard deviation), although no clear correlation was found between them. The correlations betwee\n RCs and ¹³³Cs concentrations in xylem exudate and shoot were strong in pot and in the field with low Ex-K concentration. Eighty-five percent of the total root length was distributed in the topsoil (0–20 cm soil layer). The positions where roots take up Cs were estimated from the differences in the vertical distribution of RCs and ¹³³Cs concentrations in soil. The estimated Cs uptake ratios of topsoil to total soil layer ranged from 7% to 91% and varied with the concentration and the vertical distribution of Ex-K in soil.     

Contamination of agricultural products and soils with radiocesium derived from the accident at TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station: monitoring,case studies and countermeasures

Five years have passed since the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station that was triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011. Severe damage to agriculture and the environment is still of great concern in Japanese society. We review the contamination status of agricultural products and soils, decontamination efforts and countermeasures to reduce radiocesium concentration in soil and crops, as well as the responses of Japanese ministries. Since rice is an important staple food for Japanese, the impact of radiocesium on rice (Oryza sativa L.) and paddy fields has been extensively investigated since the accident, and, therefore, issues concerning rice receive considerable attention in this review.     

<Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs in natural ecosystem components within the 30-km impact zone of the Smolensk nuclear power plant

The accumulation and redistribution of ¹³⁷Cs in natural ecosystems within the 30-km impact zone of the Smolensk nuclear power plant (SNPP) are analyzed. It is shown that the radioactive pollution of this territory is mainly due to the Chernobyl-derived radioactive fallout. However, the radioactive decay of ¹³⁷Cs from the Chernobyl disaster is partly compensated for by the ¹³⁷Cs technologic emission from the SNPP. The highest rate of the vertical migration of ¹³⁷Cs is typical of the bog phytocenoses and deciduous forests. The components of biota may be ranked by their capacity for ¹³⁷Cs accumulation as follows: higher fungi > mosses > herbs and shrubs > trees. The organisms and their parts that may serve as bioindicators of the modern radioactive contamination of the territory have been identified. These are the assimilative organs and bark of the trees, various fern species among herbs, sphagnum mosses and Pleurozium schreberi (among mosses), and Typolius felleus among higher fungi.     

Cesium-137 Concentrations in Sediments and Aquatic Plants from the Pinios River, Thessalia (Central Greece)

The levels of radioactive contamination by artificial radiocesium (¹³⁷Cs) were evaluated in sediments and the commonest species of water plants. Specimens were collected from a range of biotopes along the Pinios River and its tributaries, during the years 1998 and 2010. The ¹³⁷Cs concentrations within the above period clearly indicate that this radionuclide still decrease in the River Pinios. A marked decrease is also observed in comparison to our previous results in 1993. ¹³⁷Cs concentration activities in the sediment are higher than in the plant material. In general, roots showed greater ¹³⁷Cs concentration than leaves, while stems showed the lowest concentration. Significant differences in ¹³⁷Cs concentrations were found among different species growing under similar environmental conditions. ¹³⁷Cs content in collected aquatic plants was in the descending order: Ceratophyllum demersum L. > Myriophyllum spicatum L. > Paspalum pasalodes Scribner > Cladophora glomerata L. > Cyperus longus L. > Potamogeton nodosus Poiret. A comparison of the studied stations indicated that the southwest side of Thessalia plain, where the first two initial sampling stations of the Pinios River and the tributaries Enipeas and Kalentzis are situated, was highly contaminated. Low ¹³⁷Cs concentrations were observed in the Titarisios tributary, originated from the northeast part of Thessalia plain, behind Mt. Olympus and the last sampling stations of the Pinios River.     

Accumulation of radioactive cesium in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) accessions cultivated in Fukushima in 2011 and 2012

ABSTRACT

The accident at Fukushima 1 Nuclear Power Plant in 2011 caused contamination by radioactive cesium (¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs) in surrounding areas. After this accident, concerns about Cs contamination, including food safety, have limited industrial activities and reconstruction in Fukushima. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an annual C₄ crop that can be used as biofuel feedstock due to its high biomass. Use of Cs-contaminated fields to produce biofuel feedstock would be more acceptable than use for food or feed crops due to the lower risk of human internal exposure to radioactive Cs. In addition, high-biomass sorghum might be suitable for removal of Cs from fields (phytoremediation). For both applications, it is important to use accessions showing the appropriate level of accumulation of radioactive Cs (low for biofuel feedstock, high for phytoremediation). Here, we examined the accumulation of radioactive Cs in the aerial parts of 56 sorghum accessions grown in Fukushima. Accessions were cultivated in a low-level-contaminated field in 2011 and in a highly contaminated field in a planned evacuation zone in 2012. After cultivation, activity concentrations from ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs were measured in the aerial plant parts. In 2011, the activity concentrations of ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs were 58.2–350 and 58.6–450 Bq kg^?1 dry weight, respectively. In 2012, the concentrations of ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs were 54.2–1320 and 57.1–1960 Bq kg^?1 dry weight, respectively. Relative to the median values of the accessions grown each year, 3 showed lower activity concentrations and 2 showed higher activity concentrations of radioactive Cs under both cultivation conditions. In contrast to a previous report, there was no significant correlation between biomass and Cs activity concentration. Because both biomass and Cs concentration are important in classifying accessions for use in phytoremediation, we also calculated the Cs accumulation index (single-plant biomass × Cs activity concentration) for each accession. The accession AKLMOI WHITE showed the highest values in both years, suggesting that this accession has the high per-plant accumulation capacity for radioactive Cs. Our data collected from actual contaminated fields is irreplaceable for choosing sorghum accessions for cultivation in Cs-polluted sites such as Fukushima.     

Transfer factor of radioactive cesium to forage corn (Zea mays L.) from soil to which contaminated farmyard manure had been applied

Abstract

Radioactive cesium (Cs) deposited after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident contaminated farmyard manure (FYM) in the wide area surrounding the plant. We conducted a field trial to determine the transfer factor of radioactive Cs to forage corn (Zea mays L.) from soil to which the contaminated FYM had been applied. The main purpose of this experiment was to examine the behavior of the radioactive Cs from contaminated FYM that was incorporated in agricultural fields. Application of FYM containing 3900 Bq kg^?1 dry matter (DM) of cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) at a rate of 4.3 kg m^?2 increased the ¹³⁷Cs concentration in the soil by 64 Bq kg^?1 dry soil, and in the forage corn by 9.2 Bq kg^?1 DM. Therefore, we calculated the transfer factor to corn plants from the soil after application of contaminated FYM to be 0.14. This value is lower than that observed for soil to which uncontaminated FYM had been applied as a control, and it is within the range of reported soil-to-plant transfer factors of 0.003–0.49 listed in the recent parameter handbook by International Atomic Energy Agency. The increase in the radioactive Cs concentration in the corn plants, expressed as the sum of ¹³⁷Cs and cesium-134 (¹³⁴Cs), was only 3% of the 2012 provisional tolerance level for cattle roughage in Japan. Even though the application of contaminated FYM did not cause a large change in the radioactive Cs concentration in the corn plants in this trial, such application should be carefully controlled because it increased radioactive Cs concentrations in both soil and forage corn.     

Distribution and migration of radiocesium in sloping landscapes three years after the Fukushima-1 nuclear accident

The results of the study are presented on the distribution and migration of radiocesium in mountainous (580–620 m a.s.l.) landscapes in the northeast of Honshu Island (Tohoku Region, Miyagi Prefecture) subjected to radioactive contamination after the nuclear accident at Fukushima-1 NPP. In July 2014, the average contamination density with radiocesium (¹³⁴Сs and ¹³⁷Сs) over the territory (150 km to the northwest from NPP) was equal to 16 kBq/m². This contamination is estimated at the acceptable level according to both Japanese and Russian standards and legislation. Three years after the accident, radiocesium is found to be unevenly distributed by the biogeocenosis components, i.e. 45% in litter, 40% in plants, 10% in soil, and 5% in roots. As for the distribution of total radiocesium (Cs tot = ¹³⁴Сs + ¹³⁷Сs) by the profile of volcanic podzolic-ocherous soil (Dystric Aluandic Andosols), its maximal content (about 80%) was found in the surface layer (0–2.5 cm), with the specific activity ranging from 250 to 10070 Bq/kg and sharply decreasing with the depth. Radiocesium amount in the soils of forest ecosystems was on average by 20% higher than in meadow ecosystems. Accumulation of radionuclides in soils of lower and middle parts of a slope with an insignificant vertical migration was found to be the most general regularity. The air dose rate did not exceed the maximal permissible level, and the snow cover acted as an absorbing and scattering screen.     

Cesium-137 concentration of forage corn and Italian ryegrass in a double cropping system under different rates of cattle farmyard manure application after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident in 2011

Abstract

Radioactive ¹³⁷Cs concentrations of forage corn (Zea mays L.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in a double cropping system under continuous cattle farmyard manure (FYM) application were observed for more than 2 years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident in 2011. The experiment field is located 110 km southwest of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, and the soil contains ¹³⁷Cs of 920 Bq kg^?1 on average. For crop cultivation, nitrogen fertilizer was applied in addition to FYM. The ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in corn decreased significantly between 2011 and 2012, but only differed significantly between 2012 and 2013 for the plot with no FYM application. For Italian ryegrass, no significant differences were observed between the harvest in 2012 and 2013 despite the FYM application rate. To minimize corn ¹³⁷Cs concentrations, the FYM application rate should be more than and equal to 30 Mg ha^?1 when FYM is used as the major nutrient source. Exchangeable potassium oxide (K₂O) greater than around 0.3 g kg^?1 was mostly maintained with the FYM application rates. Corn ¹³⁷Cs concentration appeared to increase at exchangeable K₂O levels below 0.15 g kg^?1. These results suggest that continuous FYM application can maintain soil nutrients including K₂O and thereby control radioactive Cs transfer from the soil. FYM application rate of 30 Mg ha^?1 is within the levels recommended by the prefectural governments around Fukushima Prefecture for crop production before the accident. These levels are sufficient to decrease the radioactive Cs concentrations for corn. However, unlike corn, differences in soil chemical properties by FYM application did not affect ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in Italian ryegrass in this study, although low exchangeable K₂O seemed to increase concentrations of stable ¹³³Cs. Further experiments should be conducted to understand the observed differences between corn and Italian ryegrass.