Atmospheric transport of 131I and 137Cs from Fukushima by the East Asian northeast monsoon

Publication date: February 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 197

Author(s): P.K. Long, P.D. Hien, N.H. Quang

Abstract

The Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART was used to simulate atmospheric dispersion of radionuclides from the Fukushima nuclear power plant (FNPP) towards the Tropical Western Pacific (TWP) and Southeast Asia (SEA). The simulation model distinguished between hemispherical transport via the jet stream and regional transport within the marine boundary layer by the East Asian northeast monsoon. This regional transport was driven by anticyclonic circulation over southern Japan and the western Pacific resulting from a recurrent eastward extension of the Siberian High to the Pacific Ocean. Activity concentrations of ¹³¹I and ¹³⁷Cs measured at ten monitoring stations in TWP and SEA were used to validate the particle dispersion model. Good agreement between the FLEXPART model and observations yields confidence regarding its application to assess radiation impacts and support emergency planning in response to a possible future nuclear accident in the region.

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