Estimation of the Vertical Distribution of Radiocesium in Soil on the Basis of the Characteristics of Gamma-Ray Spectra Obtained via Aerial Radiation Monitoring Using an Unmanned Helicopter

Kotaro Ochi, Miyuki Sasaki, Mutsushi Ishida, Shoichiro Hamamoto, Taku Nishimura and Yukihisa Sanada
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Kotaro Ochi: Fukushima Environmental Safety Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 45-169 Sukakeba, Kaibama-aza, Haramachi, Minamisoma, Fukushima 975-0036, Japan
Miyuki Sasaki: Fukushima Environmental Safety Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 45-169 Sukakeba, Kaibama-aza, Haramachi, Minamisoma, Fukushima 975-0036, Japan
Mutsushi Ishida: NESI, Inc., 1-9-3, Saku-machi, Taira-aza, Iwaki, Fukushima 970-8026, Japan
Shoichiro Hamamoto: Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
Taku Nishimura: Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
Yukihisa Sanada: Fukushima Environmental Safety Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 45-169 Sukakeba, Kaibama-aza, Haramachi, Minamisoma, Fukushima 975-0036, Japan

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-14

Abstract: After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, the vertical distribution of radiocesium in soil has been investigated to better understand the behavior of radiocesium in the environment. The typical method used for measuring the vertical distribution of radiocesium is troublesome because it requires collection and measurement of the activity of soil samples. In this study, we established a method of estimating the vertical distribution of radiocesium by focusing on the characteristics of gamma-ray spectra obtained via aerial radiation monitoring using an unmanned helicopter. The estimates are based on actual measurement data collected at an extended farm. In this method, the change in the ratio of direct gamma rays to scattered gamma rays at various depths in the soil was utilized to quantify the vertical distribution of radiocesium. The results show a positive correlation between the abovementioned and the actual vertical distributions of radiocesium measured in the soil samples. A vertical distribution map was created on the basis of this ratio using a simple equation derived from the abovementioned correlation. This technique can provide a novel approach for effective selection of high-priority areas that require decontamination.

Keywords: Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident; aerial radiation monitoring; unmanned helicopter; radiocesium; vertical distribution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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