Spreading of marine radionuclides through sea spray

In August 2023, a significant release of radionuclides occurred from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants, dispersing into the western Pacific Ocean. Sea spray aerosols (SSA) were identified as an important pathway for their atmospheric transport. In this study, an SSA simulation chamber was e...

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Main Authors: Song Yaru, Li Kun, Li Jianlong, Tchinda Narcisse Tsona, Du Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Science Press 2025-01-01
Series:National Science Open
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Online Access:https://www.sciengine.com/doi/10.1360/nso/20240022
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author Song Yaru
Li Kun
Li Jianlong
Tchinda Narcisse Tsona
Du Lin
author_facet Song Yaru
Li Kun
Li Jianlong
Tchinda Narcisse Tsona
Du Lin
author_sort Song Yaru
collection DOAJ
description In August 2023, a significant release of radionuclides occurred from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants, dispersing into the western Pacific Ocean. Sea spray aerosols (SSA) were identified as an important pathway for their atmospheric transport. In this study, an SSA simulation chamber was employed to investigate the enrichment and transport behavior of SSA generated from seawater containing nine different metal ions (Co<sup>2+</sup>, Ba<sup>2+</sup>, Mn<sup>2+</sup>, Sb<sup>3+</sup>, Cs<sup>+</sup>, Sr<sup>2+</sup>, Rh<sup>3+</sup>, La<sup>3+</sup>, and Ru<sup>3+</sup>). Radionuclides showed consistent enrichment with Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>, and K<sup>+</sup>, confirming SSA-mediated transport into the atmosphere. Additionally, the enrichment factor analysis suggested that marine organic matter could enhance the atmospheric emission of metal ions. Trajectory simulations further demonstrated that radionuclide-enriched SSAs can travel long distances, contributing to atmospheric deposition in both marine and terrestrial environments. This study combines experimental and modelling approaches to reveal radionuclides transport via SSAs and provides insights into their environmental impact.
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spelling doaj-art-ce30824b74ca4d3fb7629fbea1fc3a872025-08-20T03:11:58ZengScience PressNational Science Open2097-11682025-01-01410.1360/nso/20240022eb33e642Spreading of marine radionuclides through sea spraySong Yaru0Li Kun1Li Jianlong2Tchinda Narcisse Tsona3Du Lin4[][][][][]In August 2023, a significant release of radionuclides occurred from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants, dispersing into the western Pacific Ocean. Sea spray aerosols (SSA) were identified as an important pathway for their atmospheric transport. In this study, an SSA simulation chamber was employed to investigate the enrichment and transport behavior of SSA generated from seawater containing nine different metal ions (Co<sup>2+</sup>, Ba<sup>2+</sup>, Mn<sup>2+</sup>, Sb<sup>3+</sup>, Cs<sup>+</sup>, Sr<sup>2+</sup>, Rh<sup>3+</sup>, La<sup>3+</sup>, and Ru<sup>3+</sup>). Radionuclides showed consistent enrichment with Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>, and K<sup>+</sup>, confirming SSA-mediated transport into the atmosphere. Additionally, the enrichment factor analysis suggested that marine organic matter could enhance the atmospheric emission of metal ions. Trajectory simulations further demonstrated that radionuclide-enriched SSAs can travel long distances, contributing to atmospheric deposition in both marine and terrestrial environments. This study combines experimental and modelling approaches to reveal radionuclides transport via SSAs and provides insights into their environmental impact.https://www.sciengine.com/doi/10.1360/nso/20240022sea spray aerosolsradionuclidesparticle size distributionenrichment factor
spellingShingle Song Yaru
Li Kun
Li Jianlong
Tchinda Narcisse Tsona
Du Lin
Spreading of marine radionuclides through sea spray
National Science Open
sea spray aerosols
radionuclides
particle size distribution
enrichment factor
title Spreading of marine radionuclides through sea spray
title_full Spreading of marine radionuclides through sea spray
title_fullStr Spreading of marine radionuclides through sea spray
title_full_unstemmed Spreading of marine radionuclides through sea spray
title_short Spreading of marine radionuclides through sea spray
title_sort spreading of marine radionuclides through sea spray
topic sea spray aerosols
radionuclides
particle size distribution
enrichment factor
url https://www.sciengine.com/doi/10.1360/nso/20240022
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AT lijianlong spreadingofmarineradionuclidesthroughseaspray
AT tchindanarcissetsona spreadingofmarineradionuclidesthroughseaspray
AT dulin spreadingofmarineradionuclidesthroughseaspray