Internal structure of cesium-bearing radioactive microparticles released from Fukushima nuclear power plant

Scientific Reports
Noriko YamaguchiToshihiro Kogure

Abstract

Microparticles containing substantial amounts of radiocesium collected from the ground in Fukushima were investigated mainly by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray microanalysis with scanning TEM (STEM). Particles of around 2 μm in diameter are basically silicate glass containing Fe and Zn as transition metals, Cs, Rb and K as alkali ions, and Sn as substantial elements. These elements are homogeneously distributed in the glass except Cs which has a concentration gradient, increasing from center to surface. Nano-sized crystallites such as copper- zinc- and molybdenum sulfide, and silver telluride were found inside the microparticles, which probably resulted from the segregation of the silicate and sulfide (telluride) during molten-stage. An alkali-depleted layer of ca. 0.2 μm thick exists at the outer side of the particle collected from cedar leaves 8 months after the nuclear accident, suggesting gradual leaching of radiocesium from the microparticles in the natural environment.

References

Apr 27, 2012·Environmental Science & Technology·Naoki KaneyasuFumikazu Ikemori
Oct 25, 2014·Environmental Science & Technology·Hiroki MukaiToshihiro Kogure
Feb 20, 2015·Nature Communications·Stéphane GinThibault Charpentier

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Citations

Apr 22, 2017·The Journal of Heredity·Joji M Otaki, Wataru Taira
Aug 21, 2018·Journal of Radiological Protection : Official Journal of the Society for Radiological Protection·Tetsuo IshikawaMichiaki Kai

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
X-ray
electron diffraction
single-crystal diffraction

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