All posts by fukushimainform

Cesium, Japan, Marine Life, Peer Reviewed

Scientific Study of Radioactive Cesium Accumulation by Salmon

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By Jay T. Cullen

@JayTCullen and @FukushimaInFORM

Male spawning phase Oncorhynchus nerka. When landlocked (freshwater phase) this sockeye salmon is referred to as kokanee.

 

The purpose of this post is to report a recently published study (behind pay wall) that examined how and how much radioactive cesium is accumulated by salmonids (e.g. salmon and trout). This post is part of an series started in 2013 to communicate the results of scientific research into the impact of the Fukushima Dai-ichi triple meltdowns on the environment. Yamamoto and colleagues carried out two experiments (one lake cage experiment and a laboratory experiment) to examine the accumulation of radiocesium from water and food by kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) and masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou). The conclusions of the study were as follows:

Continue reading Scientific Study of Radioactive Cesium Accumulation by Salmon →

Media, Presentations & Media

Sockeye Salmon, Inshore Waters Test Fukushima-Free

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 By John Gleeson originally posted to the Coast Reporter

RADD testing
Citizen scientists from the Powell River area collected seawater samples at Lang Bay Estuary last month. – Katherine McLean Photo

Continue reading Sockeye Salmon, Inshore Waters Test Fukushima-Free →

Coastal, Monitoring

First Seawater Monitoring Result From Victoria, BC: No Fukushima Contamination as of Oct. 15, 2014

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By Jay T. Cullen

@JayTCullen and @FukushimaInFORM

On the granite blocks that make up the south side of Ogden Point Breakwater getting ready to take the first InFORM sample (photo by Katherine Maas)
On the granite blocks that make up the south side of Ogden Point Breakwater getting ready to take the first InFORM sample (photo by Katherine Maas)

What we found:

137-Cesium activity = 1.3 (+/- 0.1) Bq m-3 (Becquerel per meter cubed of seawater)
134-Cesium activity = Not Detected
Water Temperature = 10.5 C

The InFORM team collected a seawater sample in collaboration with citizen scientists in Victoria on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Ogden Point Breakwater (map shown below).  The sample was processed and the amount of gamma emitting isotopes determined using a high purity germanium detector.  We look primarily for radioisotopes of cesium (134-Cs half life ~2 years and 137-Cs half life ~ 30 years) for the following reasons: Continue reading First Seawater Monitoring Result From Victoria, BC: No Fukushima Contamination as of Oct. 15, 2014 →

Citizen Science

More Citizen Science Sampling Kits Being Shipped Out

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By Jay T. Cullen

@JayTCullen and @FukushimaInFORM

Shown below are sampling kits that will ship out today for our citizen science volunteers in Tofino, Winter Harbour, Hadia Gwaii – Sandspit and Port Hardy BC.  Staged for pick up are Lax Kw’alaams, Prince Rupert, Powell River and Haida Gwaii – Masset.  Results of seawater monitoring for Fukushima derived radioactivity will be made public as they are available.

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British Columbia, Cesium, North America, Peer Reviewed, Plants

Looking For Fukushima Contamination in Mushrooms and Soil of Western North America

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By Jay T. Cullen

@JayTCullen

Chanterelle Cantharellus cibarius
 

The purpose of this diary is to report results from a recently published, peer reviewed study (behind paywall) examining the degree of Fukushima contamination in fungi and soil of western North America. The diary is the most recent contribution to an ongoing series which aims to provide evidence from scientific studies assessing the impact of the Fukushima Daiichi disaster on the environment and the health of residents of North America. Trappe and colleagues measured the activity of cesium isotopes (134-Cs half life ~ 2 years; 137-Cs half life ~30 years) in wild mushrooms, soil and leaf litter of the west coast from California up to Vancouver Island. The conclusions of the study were as follows:

  1. No activity measurements exceeded levels thought to impact human health
  2. 137-Cs activity increased in fungi and soil towards the north
  3. 134-Cs increased to the south in leaf litter
  4. Chanterelles did not significantly bioconcentrate Cs isotopes
  5. 137-Cs and 134-Cs activities were highly variable from sample to sample
  6. 137-Cs levels largely reflected non-Fukushima sources from either atmospheric weapons tests in the last century or the Chernobyl disaster in 1986

Continue reading Looking For Fukushima Contamination in Mushrooms and Soil of Western North America →