Identification, isolation, and characterization of a novel type of Fukushima-derived microparticle

authored by: Zsuzsanna Macsik, Lisa A. Hudston, Kimberly N. Wurth, Daniel Meininger, Christian Jesinghaus, Travis J. Tenner, Benjamin E. Naes, Mitzi Boswell, Katsumi Shozugawa, Stephen P. LaMont, Robert E. Steiner, Georg Steinhauser
Abstract: In the course of the Fukushima nuclear accident, radionuclides were released in various forms, including so-called radiocesium-bearing microparticles (CsMP). So far, four types of CsMP were described: Type A is smaller in size (< 10 μm), Types B, C, and D are larger (> 100 μm). In this work, we present a novel type of CsMP (proclaimed Type E). Three particles of Type E were extracted from a contaminated blade of grass that was sampled 1.5 km from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in late 2011. They were located using autoradiography, isolated using an optical microscope and micromanipulator, and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and low-level gamma-ray spectrometry. Type E CsMPs are 10–20 μm in size and exhibit an unusually low and barely detectable ¹³⁷Cs activity of only ≤ 10 mBq per particle. Their brittle and fragile character may indicate a high surface tension.
Organisation(s): Centre for Radiation Protection and Radioecology
External Organisation(s): Los Alamos National Laboratory
University of Tokyo
TU Wien (TUW)
Type: Article
Journal: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Volume: 331
Pages: 5333-5341
No. of pages: 9
ISSN: 0236-5731
Publication date: 12.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Analytical Chemistry, Nuclear Energy and Engineering, Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging, Pollution, Spectroscopy, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08561-1 (Access: Open)