Variation in airborne 134Cs, 137Cs, particulate 131I and 7Be maximum activities at high-altitude European locations after the arrival of Fukushima-labeled air masses. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Masson, Olivier; Bieringer, Jacqueline; Brattich, Erika; Dalheimer, Axel; Estier, Sybille; Penev, Ilia; Ringer, Wolfgang; Schlosser, Clemens; Steinkopff, Thomas; Steinmann, Philipp; Tositti, Laura; Van Beek, Pieter; Vismes-Ott, Anne de
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental radioactivity. Volume 162/163(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Fukushima -- High-altitude -- Vertical distribution -- Radionuclide -- 134Cs -- 137Cs -- Europe; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radiation, Background -- Periodicals; Radioecology -- Periodicals; Radioactive pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactive Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radioécologie -- Périodiques; Pollution radioactive -- Périodiques; Fond de rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.05.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-931X

Abstract

Abstract: The Fukushima-labeled air mass arrival, and later the cesium-134 ( 134 Cs), cesium-137 ( 137 Cs) and particulate iodine-131 (hereafter noted 131 Ip ) maximum levels were registered in Europe at different dates depending on the location. Most of those data were obtained at low-altitude sampling areas. Here, we compare the airborne levels registered at different high-altitude European locations (from 850 m to about 3500 m). The integrated 137 Cs activity concentration was not uniform with regard to the altitude even after a long travel time/distance from Japan. Moreover, the relation of integrated 137 Cs vs. altitude showed a linear decrease up to an altitude of about 3000 m. A similar trend was noticed for 131 Ip (particulate fraction) while it increased above 3000 m. Comparison with 7 Be activity concentration showed that, as far as the high altitude location is concerned, the 137 Cs and 134 Cs maximum concentrations corresponded to the 7 Be maximum, suggesting downdraft movements from high tropospheric or stratospheric layers to be responsible for 137, 134 Cs increase and peak values. This was also confirmed by high potential vorticity and low relative humidity registered during the peak values. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Airborne radionuclides from the FDNPP accident, at high-altitude locations across Europe. Total amount of 137 Cs that passed was not homogeneous with regard to the altitude. Peak concentrations were due to downdrafts as revealed by 7 Be maximum and potential vorticity. In accident situation, gaseous 131 I monitoring should be more widely performed as for aerosols.