Measurement of 90Sr radioactivity in cesium hot particles originating from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident

J Radiat Res. 2018 Nov 1;59(6):677-684. doi: 10.1093/jrr/rry063.

Abstract

A method for the determination of 134+137Cs and 90Sr in cesium hot particles (Cs-HPs) originating from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident has been developed. The method depends on a response function that is calculated by PHITS code and fitted to the beta-ray spectrum measured with a Si-detector. The 134+137Cs radioactivity in the Cs-HPs was consistent with that measured by a Ge-detector, thus confirming the reliability of the method. The 90Sr/137Cs ratios, which ranged from 0.001 to 0.0042, were consistent with a 90Sr/137Cs inventory ratio for contaminated soil samples. That is, the extracted Cs-HPs contained 90Sr in the same ratio as that for the 90Sr/137Cs inventory ratio for the contaminated soils. The method is attractive in that the samples are unaltered, andthat no chemical separation techniques are required.

MeSH terms

  • Cesium Radioisotopes / analysis*
  • Fukushima Nuclear Accident*
  • Gamma Rays
  • Geography
  • Japan
  • Radioactivity*
  • Silicon / chemistry
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis
  • Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
  • Strontium Radioisotopes / analysis*

Substances

  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Strontium Radioisotopes
  • Cesium-137
  • Strontium-90
  • Silicon