Journal of Environmental Conservation Engineering

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A small system was developed for volume reduction of radiocesium-contaminated soils. Included in this system was a 100-L air-lift washing chamber, a coagulation tank, and a dewatering apparatus. Soil samples (¹³⁷Cs 6.2×10³ - 1.9×10⁴ Bq/㎏) collected from a parking area in Iitate village, Fukushima Prefecture were put through this soil washing chamber. Results showed that 14-17% (dry weight) of the soil particles were ideally recovered with 75-86% of ¹³⁷Cs (3.0×10⁴ - 7.4×10⁴ Bq/㎏)．Soil samples collected from an area with bamboo bushes, showed that 53-55% of the soil particle's weight were recovered with 87-89% of ¹³⁷Cs (3.0×10⁴ - 7.4×10⁴ Bq/㎏)．Soil samples collected from a farm load and ditch in Kawauchi village (1.0×10³ - 7.3×10³ Bq/㎏) were treated by soil washing, coagulation, and dewatering in series. Results showed that 10-14% weight of the soil particles were recovered as dewatered cake (4.4×10³ - 3.1×10⁴ Bq/㎏) with only 43-46% of ¹³⁷Cs. These results confirm soil-characteristic-dependency from the volume reduction efficiency of radiocesium-contaminated soils.

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