Forests upstream of rivers are not decontaminated, which raised concern that the decontaminated riverbeds may be contaminated again by the earth and sand flowing down from upstream.

For this reason, air dose rates were continuously measured at two decontaminated riverbeds on Hamadori and one decontaminated riverbed on Nakadori, and the air dose rates at all sites showed a decline (Fig. 1). During the survey, a large flood was caused by a typhoon, but the air dose rates went down due to shielding by the accumulated earth and sand of low radioactive material concentrations and the erosion of accumulated earth and sand.

In land areas as well, there was concern about recontamination due to the movement of earth and sand caused by heavy rain. Therefore, air dose rates at five decontaminated public facilities (community centers in urban areas and forest parks, etc.) were continuously measured. At all the facilities, the air dose rates were on a decline, and no increase was observed in the air dose rates despite heavy rain brought by typhoons.

Fig.1　Changes in the air dose rate on the riverbeds of the Nitta River

More【Fukushima Prefectural Centre for Environmental Creation】

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Reference

1. 福島県環境創造センター研究部(2024): 調査研究成果報告書～除染に関する調査研究～フェーズ2 令和元年度(2019年度)～令和3年度(2021年度).
   https://www.fukushima-kankyosozo.jp//lancelot/common_files/images/public/2024040101.pdf (2024.11.18アクセス)