Planned release of contaminated water from the Fukushima storage tanks into the ocean: Simulation scenarios of radiological impact for aquatic biota and human from seafood consumption. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bezhenar, R.; Takata, H.; de With, G.; Maderich, V.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 173:Part B(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Fukushima storage water -- Marine environment -- Food chains -- Doses to human -- Doses to biota -- Compartment modelling; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112969
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: The radiological impact for human and aquatic biota as a result of a planned release of contaminated water stored in tanks near the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant to the Pacific Ocean is assessed. The total activity for 10 dominant radionuclides ( 3 H, 14 C, 60 Co, 90 Sr, 99 Tc, 106 Ru, 125 Sb, 129 I, 134 Cs, 137 Cs) in tanks is estimated. The compartment model POSEIDON-R is applied to compute the concentration of activity for each radionuclide in water, bottom sediments, and biota, and corresponding doses to marine organisms and humans from seafood consumption. Predicted concentrations of activity in marine products in future will not exceed food safety limits in Japan. The computed maximum committed effective dose to humans is less than 1 μSv per year with the highest contribution from 129 I and 14 C. Maximum absorbed doses to non-human biota are in the order of 0.05 to 20 μGy per year, meaning that no deleterious effects are expected. Highlights: Effects of radioactively contaminated water released from tanks to the Pacific Ocean are simulated. Radionuclide concentrations do not exceed the food safety limit. Estimated doses incurred by a member of the public are below the level of 10 μSv a −1 . Main contribution to the dose from the radionuclides 129 I and 14 C. Deleterious effects from ionising radiation on sea organisms are not expected.