title: Release, deposition and elimination of radiocesium ((137)Cs) in the terrestrial environment.
abstract: Radionuclide contamination in terrestrial ecosystems has reached a dangerous level. The major artificial radionuclide present in the environment is (137)Cs, which is released as a result of weapon production related to atomic projects, accidental explosions of nuclear power plants and other sources, such as reactors, evaporation ponds, liquid storage tanks, and burial grounds. The release of potentially hazardous radionuclides (radiocesium) in recent years has provided the opportunity to conduct multidisciplinary studies on their fate and transport. Radiocesium's high fission yield and ease of detection made it a prime candidate for early radio-ecological investigations. The facility setting provides a diverse background for the improved understanding of various factors that contribute toward the fate and transfer of radionuclides in the terrestrial ecosystem. In this review, we summarize the significant environmental radiocesium transfer factors to determine the damaging effects of radiocesium on terrestrial ecosystem. It has been found that (137)Cs can trace the transport of other radionuclides that have a high affinity for binding to soil particles (silts and clays). Possible remedial methods are also discussed for contaminated terrestrial systems. This review will serve as a guideline for future studies of the fate and transport of (137)Cs in terrestrial environments in the wake of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant disaster in 2011.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aqeelashraf@um.edu.my.
authors.forename: Muhammad Aqeel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.forename: Ayesha Masood
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Mushtaq
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Shatirah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akib
authors.forename: Khaled S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Balkhair
authors.forename: Nor Kartini Abu
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Bakar
mesh_terms: D000398:Air Pollution, Radioactive / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D002586:Cesium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011847:Radioactive Fallout / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D014878:Water Pollution, Radioactive / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D011847:Radioactive Fallout; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants; D002586:Cesium