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Published in:
The Effects of Soil Properties to the Extent of Soil Contamination with Metals Read chapter Read first chapter

2016 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

3. Radionuclides Released from Nuclear Accidents: Distribution and Dynamics in Soil

Author : Seiya Nagao

Published in: Environmental Remediation Technologies for Metal-Contaminated Soils

Publisher: Springer Japan

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Abstract

The Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986, the Mayak reprocessing plant accident in 1957, and the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011 have released various radionuclides. Spatial distribution of radionuclides in surface soil constitutes fundamental information related to radiation exposure and to post-accident sources for secondary dispersion of radionuclides. The spatial and vertical distributions of 137Cs, 90Sr, and Pu from those three nuclear accidents were reviewed to elucidate the fate of the radionuclides in the soil environment. This chapter specifically presents information about the dynamics of radiocesium (134Cs and 137Cs) in the soil of contaminated areas because of its long half-life and its major contribution to the overall external radiation dose. Along with an examination of global fallout, for soils of various types, the existence forms and geochemical behavior of radiocesium in surface soil after the Fukushima accident are reviewed, as are similar results from the Chernobyl and Mayak nuclear accidents.

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previous chapter Heavy Metals Accumulation in Coastal Sediments
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Metadata
Title
Radionuclides Released from Nuclear Accidents: Distribution and Dynamics in Soil
Author
Seiya Nagao
Copyright Year
2016
Publisher
Springer Japan
Book
Environmental Remediation Technologies for Metal-Contaminated Soils

Print ISBN: 978-4-431-55758-6

Electronic ISBN: 978-4-431-55759-3

Copyright Year: 2016

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55759-3_3