Spatial variations of 226Ra, 228Ra, 134Cs, and 137Cs concentrations in western and southern waters off the Korean Peninsula in July 2014

Abstract

We examined the spatial distributions of 226Ra, 228Ra, 134Cs, and 137Cs concentrations (activities) in seawater off the western and southern Korean Peninsula in July 2014. Radium-228 (and 226Ra) concentrations in water samples varied widely from 5 to 14 mBq/L (2–4 mBq/L), showing a negative correlation with salinity, particularly at the surface off the western Korean Peninsula. This indicates that the seawaters in this area are fundamentally comprised of 228Ra-poor and high-saline Kuroshio Current water and 228Ra-rich and low-saline water (e.g., continental shelf water), with various mixing ratios. Although Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP)-derived 134Cs was below the detection limit (<0.08 mBq/L) in waters off the western Korean Peninsula, low level 134Cs (0.1–0.2 mBq/L) was detected in waters off the southern Korean Peninsula accompanied by higher 137Cs concentrations (1.6–1.9 mBq/L) relative to that off the western Korean Peninsula. Combined with the lower radium concentrations, the detection of 134Cs is explained by mixing of FDNPP-derived radiocesium-contaminated Kuroshio Current water.