Development of a model to predict a radionuclide distribution based on soil migration after Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

Abstract

  We developed a simple novel and fast simulation model to predict a long-term distribution of ¹³⁷Cs deposited on the land surface of Fukushima due to the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami on 11 March 2011. The model utilizes the Geographical Information System (GIS) to integrate online open data provided by individual institutes, and simulate mechanisms of soil erosion, transport and sedimentation. A preliminary calculation shows the significant deposition of sediments in lakes and reservoirs and eroded silt and clay tend to be transported downstream to river mouths than eroded sand. These results were found to be qualitatively consistent with existing data.