Base Information Q&A SiteJAEA

Effects on Ecosystem

(2018)

How have the radioactive Cs concentrations changed in wild animals in Fukushima prefecture?

Wild boars and Himalayan black bears captured at locations with a high radioactive Cs inventory in the soil tend to hold higher concentrations of radioactive Cs in their muscles. A comparison of the radioactive Cs concentrations in wild boars and Himalayan black bears captured at the same location indicated that the wild boars held a higher concentration of radioactive Cs in their muscles. The radioactive Cs concentration in the muscles of both species fluctuated seasonally, but the fluctuation patterns differed.

Relation between the 137Cs concentrations in the muscles of wild boars and Himalayan black bears and the 137Cs inventory in the soil at the capture location

Fig.1 Relation between the 137Cs concentrations in the muscles of wild boars and Himalayan black bears and the 137Cs inventory in the soil at the capture location
The results indicated that the higher the 137Cs inventory in the soil at the capture location, the higher the 137Cs concentrations in the muscles of the wild boars and Himalayan black bears.

Seasonal fluctuation of the 137Cs concentrations in the muscles of wild boars and Himalayan black bears

Fig.2 Seasonal fluctuation of the 137Cs concentrations in the muscles of wild boars and Himalayan black bears

Although the 137Cs concentrations in the muscles of both wild boars and Himalayan black bears tended to fluctuate seasonally, their patterns differed.