Radiochemical analysis of the drain water sampled at the exhaust stack shared by Units 1 and 2 of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Abstract

Abstract Radioactive gas of Unit 1 of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station was released from the exhaust stack shared by Units 1 and 2 through the venting line on March 12th, 2011. In the present study, radiochemical analysis of drain water sampled at the drain pit of the exhaust stack was conducted to study radionuclides released during venting of the Unit 1. Not only volatile 129I, 134Cs and 137Cs but also 60Co, 90Sr, 125Sb and Unit 1-originated stable Mo isotopes were detected. Although Unit 1-originated stable Mo isotopes were clearly detected, their amounts were quite low compared to Cs, suggesting that the formation of Cs2MoO4 was suppressed under the accident condition. Approximately 90% of iodine existed as I− and 10% as IO3 − in November 2020. Furthermore, larger amount of 129I than 137Cs was observed, suggesting major chemical form of 131I was molecular iodine rather than CsI at the accident time. The 134Cs/137Cs radioactivity ratio decay-corrected to March 11th, 2011 was 0.86, supported the results that Unit 1 originated radiocesium in environment has smaller 134Cs/137Cs radioactivity ratio than Unit 2 and 3 originated radiocesium.