nuclear-news

Japan – Scientists in study on effects of radiation on Fukushima wildlife

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

October 04, 2012 

In April last year, researchers from Nippon Veterinary and Life ScienceUniversity (NVLU), along with other institutions, began sampling muscle tissue of wild Japanese macaques caught in the provincial capital, Fukushima, for radioactive cesium content.

 

 

The concentrations ranged between 10,000 and 25,000 becquerels per kilogram immediately after the nuclear crisis began to unfurl the month before.

The readings fell to 500-1,500 becquerels per kg in June, but rose again to more than 2,000 becquerels per kg from last winter to spring.

 

The seasonal variations presumably occurred because the macaques ate leaf buds, which are said to absorb radioactive cesium in high concentrations, the scientists said.

 

Shin-ichi Hayama, a professor of wild animal control at NVLU, said the results were the first ever taken for wild primates.

 

“This presents an opportunity to study the impact of low-dose radiation on primates, which are so close to humans, over a more than 20-year period,” Hayama said. “That could help forecast the impact on humans as well.”

A separate team led by Shin-ichi Akimoto, a professor of entomology at Hokkaido University, is investigating deformities in a species of plant lice in Kawamata, Fukushima Prefecture. Akimoto said he hopes to verify any impact of radiation by comparing them with plant lice found outside the prefecture.

 

The Environment Ministry started sampling flora and fauna in Fukushima Prefecture last November because past research focused solely on the impact on humans.

 

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201210040003

October 3, 2012 - Posted by arclight2011 | Uncategorized