Fukushima Radiation Threatens Army and Marine Biota

The radiation power released Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power has a long-term impact on the surrounding environment. Scientists estimate the radiation exposure it will get worse from day to day.

For example, 30 days after the accident on March 11, 2011, trees, birds, and mammals that live in forests exposed to radiation at a dose 100 times greater than the safe limit. As for marine biota, such as fish and algae exposed to radiation 1,000 times greater.

These findings obtained Radioecology expert with French Institute of Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (ISRN) after examining samples of radiation dose. Samples taken from the forest land which is located 25-45 miles northwest of Fukushima. Researchers also took samples of sea area which lies close to the reactors. All research materials were taken in late March.

The French team found 50 regardless of the reactor radioisotopes. Isotope with the highest content is iodine-131 and cesium-137. In late March, the concentration of cesium-137 with a half-life of 30 years to reach 47 000 Becquerel per liter of sea water, and 72 900 Becquerel per kilogram of soil. 1 Becquerel equals one radioactive decay per second.

Furthermore, the information content of these isotopes, the researchers calculate radiation doses received by various living creatures. The software named Erica (Environmental Risk from Ionising contaminants) is used in the study so that the radiation absorbed per kilogram of tissue paper every day can be obtained.

The results shows marine organisms, such as stingrays, mollusks, shrimp, and brown seaweed off the beach Fukushima potentially exposed to radiation increases the risk of death. Terrestrial organisms also get a smaller dose, but still potentially hinder the success of the reproductive process of birds, rodents, and tree.

"This calculation is still rough," said one researcher, Thomas Hinton. "We need more samples to be able to conclude Fukushima environmental conditions throughout the region."