Detection of 131I, 134Cs, and 137Cs Released into the Atmosphere from FNPP in Small Epipelagic Fishes, Japanese Sardine and Japanese Anchovy, off the Kanto Area, Japan

Abstract

The artificial radionuclides 131I, 134Cs, and 137Cs released from FNPP were detected in Japanese sardine (Sadinopes melanostictus) and Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) off the Kanto area of Japan. In the research period from 24 March 2011 to 13 July 2011, the maximum concentrations of 131I, 134Cs, and 137Cs were detected in the internal organs of Japanese anchovy collected on 24 March 2011. The concentration of 131I in the internal organs tended to be higher than that in muscle and the whole body, although no clear tendency was observed for 134Cs and 137Cs; it was thought that that was caused by 131I of the planktonic contents in the internal organs. These radionuclides detected in sardine and anchovy would be derived through the atmospheric pathway from FNPP to off the Kanto area, because these radionuclides were detected before the direct release of contaminated water into the ocean from FNPP.