Radiocesium mobility in different parts of the two major tree species in Fukushima

Radiocesium ((137)Cs) released in the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident is still cycling in the forest ecosystem. We examined the mobility of (137)Cs in the external parts—leaves/needles, branches, and bark—of the two major tree species in Fukushima, Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and konara oak (Quercus serrata). This variable mobility will likely lead to spatial heterogeneity of (137)Cs and difficulty in predicting its dynamics for decades. We conducted leaching experiments on these samples by using ultrapure water and ammonium acetate. In Japanese cedar, the (137)Cs percentage leached from current-year needles was 26–45% (ultrapure water) and 27–60% (ammonium acetate)—similar to those from old needles and branches. In konara oak, the (137)Cs percentage leached from leaves was 47–72% (ultrapure water) and 70–100% (ammonium acetate)—comparable to those from current-year and old branches. Relatively poor (137)Cs mobility was observed in the outer bark of Japanese cedar and in organic layer samples from both species. Comparison of the results from corresponding parts revealed greater (137)Cs mobility in konara oak than in Japanese cedar. We suggest that more active cycling of (137)Cs occurs in konara oak.