Radioactivity impacts of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident on the atmosphere

Response to Referee #1

“…The three sections analysed for beta emissions at LGGE (see previous section) were also analysed by a very low background germanium planar detector at the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane (LSM -4800 water equivalent) in France (Loaiza et al, 2011). These measurements were below the detection limit with the exception of the section at 41.27 m (1963), which showed a non-decay-corrected activity of 0.035 ± 0.003 (Bq kg −1 ) for 137 Cs.…”

Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents: What have we learned and what have we done?

“…Although three reactors were involved in this accident, the estimated released radioactivity was 520 PBq, or 10% of radioactivity released from the Chernobyl accident. The greatest part of radioactivity was deposited in the Pacific Ocean during March and April that year 3,11 .…”

Predictability of the dispersion of Fukushima-derived radionuclides and their homogenization in the atmosphere

“…The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster has been the second most serious crisis of a nuclear power plant in the human history. The release period lasted over two months emitting a significant amount of radioiodine, radioxenon and radiocaesium as well as other isotopes such as plutonium 1 2 . Besides the local to regional scale impacts of soil and water pollution, isotopes released into the atmosphere could be measured globally 3 .…”

“…The emission was caused by several different processes, including two hydrogen explosions, controlled release and uncontrolled emission for several weeks. Initial estimates of total 131 I release into the atmosphere ranged from 150 to 500 PBq 1 . Modelling efforts focused on inverse methods that provided more accurate estimates of 65–400 PBq for total 131 I 1 6 .…”

“…Initial estimates of total 131 I release into the atmosphere ranged from 150 to 500 PBq 1 . Modelling efforts focused on inverse methods that provided more accurate estimates of 65–400 PBq for total 131 I 1 6 . Among others, the WSPEEDI (Worldwide System for Prediction of Environmental Emergency Dose Information) model has been used with data obtained from the Japanese measurement network to estimate a more detailed emission inventory and emission rates, resulting in a total 131 I emission of 124 PBq and 137 Cs emission of 8.8 PBq 7 .…”