Monitoring 137Cs concentrations in bird species occupying different ecological niches; game birds and raptors in Fukushima Prefecture

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess radiocesium accumulation in birds after the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in 2011, with a particular focus on 137Cs, which has a long physical half-life. Results of 137Cs monitoring in four game bird species including two pheasant species and two duck species (copper pheasant, green pheasant, spot-billed duck and mallard) were assessed in Fukushima Prefecture. We also obtained samples from rescued raptors that died during treatment or rehabilitation at the Wildlife Symbiosis Centre in Fukushima Prefecture because of severe injury. We measured the muscle concentrations of 137Cs in four of these raptor species (black kite, northern goshawk, peregrine falcon and ural owl). Comparison of the two pheasant species showed that the copper pheasants inhabiting forested areas had higher 137Cs concentrations in muscle (Bq/kg, fresh mass) than the green pheasants inhabiting mountainous areas near human habitation (i.e., Satoyama). No clear tendencies were observed in 137Cs concentration in muscle of copper pheasants over time, but a tendency to decrease was observed in green pheasants over time. The difference in tendencies between species may be attributable to differences in their food habits and its 137Cs concentration, and also differences in the situation of 137Cs accumulation in their habitat. No significant differences were observed in 137Cs concentration in muscle between the resident spot-billed duck and migratory mallard because of the comparatively short biological of effective half-life of radiocesium. Analysis of 137Cs concentration in muscle of raptor revealed that the concentration was similar to, or lower than, those of pheasants and ducks.