2022 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Tracking the behavior of environmental microplastic aggregates using multiple analytical approaches
| Project/Area Number |
21K21336
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| Research Institution | Japan Atomic Energy Agency |
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Principal Investigator |
Battulga Batdulam 国立研究開発法人日本原子力研究開発機構, 原子力科学研究部門 原子力科学研究所 原子力基礎工学研究センター, 博士研究員 (50907996)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
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| Keywords | plastic debris / biofilm / radiocesium / stable isotopes / seasonal variations / coastal environment |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Plastic debris in the environment receives special attention from scientific communities, whereas the radioactivity of plastics and the dynamics of plastic-associated biofilm remain largely unknown. Hence, the current study is addressed plastic-associated biofilms and sediments from coastal areas of Japan to elucidate their characteristics and interaction with radionuclides in the environment. Stable isotope signatures of the biofilms and sediments were also explored based on seasonal variations. The results revealed the potential interaction between plastics and 137Cs within 120 km distance from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The isotopic signatures emphasized the microbial responses against different nutrient conditions and environmental changes in the coastal ecosystem.
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