Research Summary |
The contents of enforcement
Large quantities of radioactive substances were released into the environment as a result of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster that followed the Great East Japan Earthquake. For this reason; also in the metropolitan area, the radioactive substances were detected in water of the purification plant after the accident. Many people worried about the water. However, surveillance study concerning the influence of the radioactive substances in the Tama River basin is not clarified enough. Therefore in this study, we investigated atmospheric, soil and water pollution in there continuously.
The result of this investigation at present radioactive substances such as cesium 134, cesium 137, and iodine 131, are below the levels of detection in river, spring and drinking water. However, radioactive cesium 134 and cesium 137 were detected in river bed sediment, and river bank soil, and downstream values were slightly higher than upstream values. The concentration of the radioactive cesium is affected by the surrounding environment of the river. These results suggest that riverbank soil, containing radioactive substances, is eroded and transported by heavy rain and the flowing river.
Moreover, we held the classroom to learn water environment and the radiation with ordinary citizens including people of the Tama Basin, utilizing these results of this study.
The effect expected in the future
When the similar accident of the radioactive contamination will occur in the future, in order to grasp the situation, we can utilize the results obtained from our research as a reference for background radiation levels and the contaminated levels. In addition, we can also utilize our results and those from other past study to make the classroom with people worthwhile. That is, we can develop the classroom into the opportunity to learn about radiation, safe drinking water, and other issues connected with ordinary citizens including people of the Tama Basin.
As a future view, if we can teach about a disaster and water environment to young people of the next generation, then, we can prevent from ourselves the great disaster which will certainly occur in the metropolitan area in the future. Moreover, it is necessary to take great interest in the nearby water source which will be important at the time of a great disaster.
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