THE 90Sr CONCENTRATION IN SURFACE SEAWATERS OF JAPAN SEA

Abstract

Distribution of 90Sr concentrations in surface seawater of Japan Sea has been studied from 30 June 2000 to 18 July 2000. The concentrations of 90Sr varied according to the stations position and didn’t show correlation with temperature and salinity. Distribution and level of 90Sr concentrations were influenced by any factors such as distance from the sources of radionuclides and water current. The strong system of Tsushima Warm Current System and Kuroshio branch Current System in the Japan Sea increased the leaching of 90Sr from the bottom sediment. The results of this study were much lower than those of previous study, presumably due to 90Sr characteristic will decrease with time and in the environment, it becomes incorporated with calcium. However, data in 1990 increased dramatically as effect of Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident.