title: Detection of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident radioactive traces in Monaco.
abstract: Daily air monitoring of radionuclides in the Principality of Monaco (43°73'N, 7°43'E) after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident showed that only Iodine-131 ((131)I) and Caesium isotopes ((134)Cs and (137)Cs) were detected. The peak of (131)I varied and reached its maximum between March 29th and April 5th, meanwhile both peaks of (134)Cs and (137)Cs arrived later and attained a maximum between April 1st and 4th. Their maximum activity concentrations in air were 354, 30, and 37 μBq m(-3) respectively. The (134)Cs to (137)Cs activity ratio was close to 1, which is different from that one observed after the Chernobyl accident (around 0.54). Up to 95% of caesium isotopes were washed out by wet scavenging during 27-28th of March, where the maximum deposition rates of (134)Cs and (137)Cs (13.7 and 19.1 mBq m(-2) day(-1), respectively) were observed. The significant input of (134)Cs and (137)Cs into the Mediterranean seawater column (30 m depth) was detected later, on the 24th of May. Radioisotopes of caesium and iodine were found far above the applied detection limits, but still with no concern for harmful radiation exposure and public health. The contamination gradually decreased in air and activity concentrations returned to background values after one or two months.
authors.affiliation: Environment Laboratories, International Atomic Energy Agency, 4 Quai Antoine 1er, MC 98000, Monaco. m.pham@iaea.org
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nies
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Osvath
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Betti
mesh_terms: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007564:Japan; D008984:Monaco; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive