Research
Detection of Radioactive Isotopes from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in the Kittitas Valley of Washington State
Authors:
Randle Affholter ,
Central Washington University, US
Michael Braunstein,
Central Washington University, US
Cesar Mendoza,
Central Washington University, US
Anne Johansen
Central Washington University, US
Abstract
Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster in March, 2011, various radioactive isotopes were emitted from the plant [Ewing, 2011]. We hypothesized that emissions would bind to particulate matter, which then could be dispersed by wind currents and deposited across the planet. We analyzed an aerosol sample collected with a high volume cascade impactor in the Kittitas Valley of Washington state. NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometry revealed the presence of the isotopes 132Te and 131I, consistent with the type of nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi.
How to Cite:
Affholter, R., Braunstein, M., Mendoza, C. and Johansen, A., 2012. Detection of Radioactive Isotopes from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in the Kittitas Valley of Washington State. International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities, 3(1), p.1.
Published on
24 Feb 2012.
Peer Reviewed
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