Search for $^{90}$Sr from the Fukushima Reactor Accident in San Francisco Bay Area Rainwater

POSTER

Abstract

Shortly after the Fukushima reactor accident, we collected rainwater samples in the San Francisco Bay area. Subsequent gamma-ray counting revealed the presence of volatile short-lived fission fragments such as $^{131, 132}$I, $^{132}$Te, and $^{134,137}$ Cs [1]. Recently, we have searched for the presence of the long-lived fission fragment $^{90}$Sr in these same rainwater samples. To chemically separate Sr, a small amount of stable Sr carrier was dissolved in each rainwater sample. Potassium carbonate was then added to precipitate SrCO$_{3}$. The precipitate was filtered, dried, and then beta counted using a planar Ge detector. Results from these measurements will be presented and compared to the levels of other fission fragments previously observed in the rainwater. \\[4pt] [1] E. B. Norman, C. T. Angell, P. A. Chodash, PLoSONE 6(9): e24330. Doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0024330.

*This work was supported in part by grants from the U. S. Dept. of Homeland Security and by the U. S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Nuclear Nonproliferation (NA-22).

Authors

  • B.T. Lo

    • Univ. of California at Berkeley

  • P.A. Chodash

    • UC Berkeley
    • Univ. of California at Berkeley

  • K.J. Thomas

    • UC Berkeley, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
    • University of California, Berkeley
    • Univ. of California at Berkeley

  • E.B. Norman

    • UC Berkeley, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
    • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
    • Univ. of California at Berkeley