Observations of Fukushima fallout in Great Britain

Citation

Beresford NA, Barnett CL, Howard BJ, Howard DC, Wells C, Tyler A, Bradley S & Copplestone D (2012) Observations of Fukushima fallout in Great Britain. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 114, pp. 48-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.12.008

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, 131I 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); 137Cs 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.

Keywords
Fukushima; Iodine-131; Grass; Milk; Caesium

Journal
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity: Volume 114

People

Professor David Copplestone

Professor, Biological and Environmental Sciences

Professor Andrew Tyler

Scotland Hydro Nation Chair, Biological and Environmental Sciences