Elucidation of radiocesium contamination mechanisms of fish toward the restoration of Fukushima's fisheries

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03056
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 40030:Aquatic bioproduction science-related
• Research Institution: Fukushima University
• Principal Investigator: WADA Toshihiro 福島大学, 環境放射能研究所, 准教授 (90505562)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 三田村 啓理 京都大学, フィールド科学教育研究センター, 教授 (20534423) ; 難波 謙二 福島大学, 共生システム理工学類, 教授 (70242162) ; 野田 琢嗣 京都大学, 情報学研究科, 研究員 (70749184) ; 高田 兵衛 福島大学, 環境放射能研究所, 准教授 (80642347)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 福島県 / 原発事故 / 漁業復興 / 魚類 / 放射性セシウム / 魚類生態 / 海水魚 / 淡水魚

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the present situation of radiocesium (hereinafter described as "Cs") contamination in fish inhabiting the coastal waters and inland waters of Fukushima Prefecture, and to disseminate the research results domestically and internationally to contribute to the fisheries restoration in Fukushima Prefecture based on scientific evidence. The results of the survey revealed that Cs concentrations in marine species were low, except for some fish species in the port of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP). On the other hand, in inland waters, Cs concentrations in freshwater fish living in rivers, lakes, and ponds around the FDNPP were still higher than those in marine fish, indicating that Cs uptake via food-chain was the cause. In addition, we conducted rearing experiments using euryhaline fish and clarified the physiological mechanisms involved in the Cs uptake and excretion. Some of the results were published in papers and books.

Free Research Field

水圏放射生態学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

福島原発周辺の水域に生息する魚類の調査を積極的に行った本研究の成果は、データの先行性や新規性などの点で学術的価値が極めて高く、国内外の学術界にとって重要な役割を果たした。また、詳細な現地調査に加えて、魚類の放流試験や飼育試験など複数のアプローチにより得られたデータやCsの取込・排出に関わるパラメータは、魚類のCs濃度の将来予測に役立つものであり、科学的知見に基づいた福島県の漁業復興にも寄与するものである。