title: Radioactive contamination of fishes in lake and streams impacted by the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident.
abstract: The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in March 2011 emitted radioactive substances into the environment, contaminating a wide array of organisms including fishes. We found higher concentrations of radioactive cesium ((137)Cs) in brown trout (Salmo trutta) than in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus nerka), and (137)Cs concentrations in brown trout were higher in a lake than in a stream. Our analyses indicated that these differences were primarily due to differences in diet, but that habitat also had an effect. Radiocesium concentrations ((137)Cs) in stream charr (Salvelinus leucomaenis) were higher in regions with more concentrated aerial activity and in older fish. These results were also attributed to dietary and habitat differences. Preserving uncontaminated areas by remediating soils and releasing uncontaminated fish would help restore this popular fishing area but would require a significant effort, followed by a waiting period to allow activity concentrations to fall below the threshold limits for consumption.
authors.affiliation: Kansai Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Nagaikyuutaro 68, Momoyama, Fushimi, Kyoto 612-0855, Japan. Electronic address: yoshi887@ffpri.affrc.go.jp.
authors.forename: Mayumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.affiliation: Tochigi Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station, Sarado 2599, Ohtawara, Tochigi 324-0404, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yokoduka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D060106:Lakes / Q000737:chemistry; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive
keywords: Brown trout; Charr; Lake; Radioactive cesium; Stomach contents; Stream