Assessing the effect of topography on Cs-137 concentrations within forested soils due to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, Japan

Abstract. Topographic effects on Cs-137 concentrations in a forested area were quantitatively examined using 58 soil core samples collected village Fukushima, Japan, which was directly impacted by the radioactive plume emitted during 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. In this study, five topographic parameters and two properties evaluated as controls concentration generalized additive models (GAMs), flexible statistical method for evaluating functional dependencies of multiple parameters. GAMs employing dry bulk density, mass water content, elevation explained 54 % observed within landscape, whereas elevation, slope, upslope distance 47 concentrations, provide strong evidence soils. The model fit analysis confirmed that are strongest when included. ability each feature to predict influenced resolution digital models. movement into subsurface near faster comparison regions affected Chernobyl These results suggest should be considered carefully use anthropogenic radionuclides environmental tracers assessment current future risks due nuclear power plant accidents.