Drifter‐based estimate of the 5 year dispersal of Fukushima‐derived radionuclides. Issue 11 (28th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rypina, I. I.; Jayne, S. R.; Yoshida, S.; Macdonald, A. M.; Buesseler, K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 119:Issue 11(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 8177
• Page End: 8193
• Publication Date: 2014-11-28
• Subjects: Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1002/2014JC010306
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9275

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Employing some 40 years of North Pacific drifter‐track observations from the Global Drifter Program database, statistics defining the horizontal spread of radionuclides from Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean are investigated over a time scale of 5 years. A novel two‐iteration method is employed to make the best use of the available drifter data. Drifter‐based predictions of the temporal progression of the leading edge of the radionuclide distribution are compared to observed radionuclide concentrations from research surveys occupied in 2012 and 2013. Good agreement between the drifter‐based predictions and the observations is found.</p> </abstract>