Radioactive impact in South Korea from the damaged nuclear reactors in Fukushima: evidence of long and short range transport

J Radiol Prot. 2012 Dec;32(4):397-411. doi: 10.1088/0952-4746/32/4/397. Epub 2012 Sep 24.

Abstract

Traces of long-lived fallout-derived radioisotopes ((134)Cs and (137)Cs) were found in wet and dry deposition samples collected from the west and east coasts of South Korea from March to May 2011 following the release of radionuclides from the damaged nuclear power plants in Fukushima, Japan. The analysis of air mass back trajectory and atmospheric pressure systems indicated that the Fukushima-derived radiocaesium had predominantly reached South Korea from the west by surface westerlies from 11 March to 5 April; however, after 6 April, air masses arrived from Japan directly due to a high pressure system that developed to the east of Japan. Spatial variation of deposition fluxes of radiocaesium in South Korea was partly attributed to the presence of local longitudinal orography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cesium Radioisotopes / analysis*
  • Fukushima Nuclear Accident*
  • Japan
  • Meteorological Concepts
  • Radioactive Fallout*
  • Republic of Korea
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis

Substances

  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Radioactive Fallout
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive