. Earth Science News .
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Suspended sediment reduced by rapid revegetation after Fukushima decontamination
by Staff Writers
Tsukuba, Japan (SPX) Aug 04, 2022

This study highlights the need for future remediation projects to include measures such as a pre-assessment of the natural restoration capacity of local landscapes and, where necessary, the addition of suitable revegetation steps in catchment regulatory frameworks, which would reduce the effects of long-term decontamination activities on downstream environments.

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba find that soil decontamination efforts in Fukushima result in constant, high levels of suspended sediments and a rapid decline in radiocesium particles, and that rapid vegetation recovery reduces the duration of unsustainable turbidity effects

Tsukuba, Japan-The effects of increased sediment load in rivers during the recovery phase after a nuclear accident are a key consideration in decontamination efforts. Researchers from Japan have discovered that with some planning, unsustainable effects from these efforts could be mitigated.

In a study published this month in Nature Sustainability, a research group led by the University of Tsukuba has revealed that although the initial effects of increased sediment load in rivers caused by the Fukushima decontamination efforts were unsustainable, several factors worked in the region's favor to reduce these effects.

On 11 March 2011, the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan released a large amount of radiocesium into the landscape, resulting in long-term radioactive contamination of large nearby water catchments. Mechanical decontamination, used to recover contaminated regions such as Chernobyl, was conducted by the Japanese government at Fukushima in the year following the accident.

"Previously, the focus has mostly been directed at understanding on-site decontamination effects and issues caused by the resuspension of atmospheric particles," says corresponding author of the study, Professor Yuichi Onda. "Not much was known about whether these disturbances have long-term, secondary effects on downstream catchments."

To investigate these effects, the researchers conducted a comprehensive impact assessment. They found that the potential for regional erosion increased during the decontamination phase, but declined in the following revegetation stage. The suspended sediment level increased by just over 237% in 2016 compared with 2013. Modeling indicated that the slow increase in sediment from decontaminated areas resulted in a rapid decline in particulate radiocesium, but that there were no significant changes in radiocesium discharge downstream after decontamination.

However, because constant, high levels of turbidity (the measure of water cloudiness or haziness) in rivers affects water use by local residents and the structure of regional aquatic food chains, the unsustainable downstream effects caused by upstream decontamination are of major importance. Vegetation recovery following land development depends considerably on local conditions; both Fukushima's high rainfall level and the soil used for decontamination enabled fast vegetation recovery, shortening the duration of such effects.

"Our results showed that mechanical decontamination upstream caused continuous high levels of suspended sediment downstream, but with reduced radiocesium concentrations, and that quick vegetation recovery can reduce how long these unsustainable effects persist for," says Professor Onda.

This study highlights the need for future remediation projects to include measures such as a pre-assessment of the natural restoration capacity of local landscapes and, where necessary, the addition of suitable revegetation steps in catchment regulatory frameworks, which would reduce the effects of long-term decontamination activities on downstream environments.

Research Report:Persistent impact of Fukushima decontamination on soil erosion and suspended sediment


Related Links
University of Tsukuba
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
A world of storm and tempest
When the Earth Quakes


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Japan regulator OKs release of treated Fukushima water
Tokyo (AFP) July 22, 2022
Japan's nuclear regulator on Friday formally approved a plan to release more than a million tonnes of treated water from the crippled Fukushima plant into the ocean, sparking an angry reaction from China. The plan has already been adopted by the government and endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but plant operator TEPCO must still win over local communities before going ahead. Cooling systems at the nuclear power plant were overwhelmed when a massive undersea quake trigger ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Iraq to provide Lebanon with fuel for another year: Lebanon PM

Suspended sediment reduced by rapid revegetation after Fukushima decontamination

Obstructions slow bid to save trapped Mexican miners

Climate, poverty collude to torment Central America

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Building the best zeolite

A better way to quantify radiation damage in materials

Magnetic quantum material helps probe next-gen information technologies

New quantum whirlpools with tetrahedral symmetries discovered in a superfluid

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Endangered sharks, rays caught in protected Med areas: study

Salt of the earth: Israeli artist's Dead Sea sculptures

Poaching of 'status symbol' date mussels threatens Italy's coasts

Mexico wants to reduce beer production in drought-hit areas

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Swiss mountain pass ice to melt completely within weeks

Scandinavian research shows Arctic warming nearly four times as fast as entire globe

Lowest July Antarctic sea ice on record: monitor

Ancient ice ages shapes how seagrasses respond to environmental threats

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Brazil farmers bet on environmentally friendly cotton

On the menu at a UK restaurant: carbon footprintl

Extreme heat, price hikes impose tough choices on UK farm

Two more grain shipments leave Ukrain

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
South Korea flooding death toll rises to nine

Tens of thousands trek rugged trail to glimpse Iceland volcano

Record rainfall, flooding in Seoul kill seven

Seoul seeks to ban basement flats after flooding deaths

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Ethiopia govt in 'direct engagements' with Tigray rebels: AU

US not trying to 'outdo' world powers in Africa, says Blinken

US says new Africa strategy will engage leaders, rethink military role

From coffee to toothpaste, Nigerians buy small as hardships bite

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Why thinking hard makes you tired

Communication makes hunting easier for chimpanzees

China faces new demographic challenges

Taking your time makes a difference in Neanderthal times









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.