Japanese scientists from the University of Tsukuba discovered a reduction in radiation doses in the forests surrounding the emergency Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Science of the Total Environment (STTE).
The team took measurements on the Pacific coast of Fukushima Prefecture, where a nuclear power plant disaster occurred 13 years ago due to a powerful earthquake. The area surrounding the station was subsequently contaminated with the radioactive isotope cesium-137.
Scientists analyzed cesium-137 levels in forest floors, soils, and tree roots in the Yamakiya cedar forest from 2011 to 2023.
The results showed that the natural downward migration of radionuclides from the underlying layer into the mineral soil proceeded quite rapidly. In particular, the isotope content in thin tree roots decreased noticeably at depths of up to two centimeters.
“Thus, the migration of cesium-137 downwards, even a few centimeters in the soil, reduces the absorption of radioactive material by trees. This process can be considered as an effect of self-cleaning of the forest ecosystem, the authors of the article noted.”
Previously in Japan reported Regarding the transfer to Russia of data on the release of radioactive water from the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.