SPECIATION OF CESIUM ISOTOPES IN RIVER WATER: A CASE STUDY IN THE UKEDO RIVER

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2022 Sep 9;198(13-15):1077-1083. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncac056.

Abstract

137Cs in river systems can be taken up by aquatic animals. In this paper, total 137Cs concentration in the Ukedo River system and 137Cs presence in dissolved, acid-soluble and -insoluble fractions in river water samples were determined. Total 137Cs concentration had the maximum value of 2.08 Bq kg-1 below the Ogaki Dam in May 2012. In the base flow condition, > 87% of 137Cs existed in the dissolved state, and the acid-soluble state and the insoluble state were <13% and the undetectable level, respectively. After the heavy rain event, the particulate fraction (acid-soluble state + insoluble state) was elevated to 65%, which corresponds to twice as much as that in the base flow condition. Particulate 137Cs, especially the acid-soluble Cs, can play a role when taken into the food chain in aquatic ecosystems.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cesium Isotopes
  • Cesium Radioisotopes* / analysis
  • Ecosystem
  • Water
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive* / analysis

Substances

  • Cesium Isotopes
  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Water
  • Cesium-137