1. Observations of Fukushima fallout in Great Britain.
- Author
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Beresford NA, Barnett CL, Howard BJ, Howard DC, Wells C, Tyler AN, Bradley S, and Copplestone D
- Subjects
- Allium chemistry, Animals, Brassica chemistry, Chickens, Eggs analysis, Goats, Japan, Milk chemistry, Radiation Monitoring, Rain chemistry, Sheep, United Kingdom, Cesium Radioisotopes, Food Contamination, Radioactive analysis, Fukushima Nuclear Accident, Iodine Radioisotopes, Poaceae chemistry, Radioactive Pollutants analysis
- Abstract
Following the Fukushima accident in March 2011, grass samples were collected from 42 sites around Great Britain during April 2011. Iodine-131 was measurable in grass samples across the country with activity concentrations ranging from 10 to 55 Bq kg(-1) dry matter. Concentrations were similar to those reported in other European countries. Rainwater and some foodstuffs were also analysed from a limited number of sites. Of these, (131)I was only detectable in sheep's milk (c. 2 Bq kg(-1)). Caesium-134, which can be attributed to releases from the Fukushima reactors, was detectable in six of the grass samples (4-8 Bq kg(-1) dry matter); (137)Cs was detected in a larger number of grass samples although previous release sources (atmospheric weapons test and the 1986 Chernobyl and 1957 Windscale accidents) are likely to have contributed to this., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2012
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