Fukushima radiation in NZ ecosystem?

Has Fukushima radiation entered NZ's ecosystem?

Scientists are to check whether New Zealand muttonbirds that spend the winter off the coast of Japan have been exposed to radiation from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant.

NZ Herald,

27 March, 2014

In a new pilot study, University of Auckland scientists will investigate whether radioactive cesium has entered the New Zealand ecosystem or food chain via the birds.

The wrecked plant and its trapped contents have loomed over Japan since floodwaters from the March 2011 tsunami knocked out the plant's back-up generators that were supposed to keep cooling its nuclear fuel.

The over-heating sparked meltdowns in three reactors and forced 150,000 to flee, and tens of thousands have been unable to return home to areas contaminated by radiation.

In the study, researchers will test the birds' feathers for gamma rays that indicate the presence of the radioactive isotope cesium-134

Feathers will be collected from prime muttonbird sites in the South Island, particularly Stewart Island.

New Zealand sooty shearwaters or titi migrate annually, spending the summer mating and raising their chicks in New Zealand before over-wintering off the coast of Japan.

Dr David Krofcheck, of the university's department of physics, said the research was "very much about taking a precautionary approach" as there was no evidence to indicate that the birds had been vectors of radioactivity.

"But detection of gamma rays would tell us whether the birds spend sufficient time near Fukushima to accumulate cesium-134 from nuclear fission," he said.

"Obviously the issue would then become whether that radioactivity is being absorbed into local ecosystems or the food chain."

Pacific Bluefin tuna caught off the west coast of the United States showed only a minute trace of cesium-134 from Fukushima, 100 times less than normal radioactive elements found in fish.

The sooty shearwater was of cultural and economic value to Maori, who sustainably harvested the nearly fledged chicks during the annual muttonbird season.

The season runs from April to May and was restricted to Maori and their whanau who use the birds for food, oil and feather down.

Dr Krofcheck said consultation with Maori, the Rakiura Titi Islands Administering Body, about the research would begin as soon as possible.

"We will need to go through a number of approval processes and engage in consultation with local people before anything can happen as there are sensitive issues to consider before work can begin."

The research is being done in collaboration with the Department of Zoology, University of Otago.

Radiation at Fukushima's power plant has declined to acceptable levels. Photo / AP

Previous tests on muttonbird exposure to radiation from Fukushima found no evidence of cesium being passed from parents to chicks.

"Our study is complementary to that earlier work but tests feathers instead of the birds themselves," Dr Krofcheck said.

"Obviously what we are hoping to find in this latest research is that cesium levels in muttonbirds do not exceed exposure levels you would expect from natural sources."

Fukushima radiation: Is New Zealand’s ecosystem in danger?

Researchers from the University of Auckland will conduct a pilot study to establish whether radiation has entered the New Zealand ecosystem or food chain via the birds. The research aims to determine the degree to which the mutton bird population of the country was exposed to radiation from Fukushima.

Voice of Russia,

27 March, 2014

Scientists plan on testing the feathers of the shearwaters for gamma rays since millions of these birds spend the winter off the coast of Japan. "Detection of gamma rays would tell us whether the birds spend sufficient time near Fukushima to accumulate cesium-134 from nuclear fission," says Dr David Krofcheck of the University of Auckland’s Department of Physics.

He adds that the study is precautionary given that so far "there is no evidence to indicate that the birds have been vectors of radioactivity." Dr Krofcheck notes that "obviously, what we are hoping to find in this latest research is that cesium levels in muttonbirds do not exceed exposure levels you would expect from natural sources."

The sooty shearwater is of cultural and economic value to Maori, the country's indigenous population, who use the birds for food, oil and feather down. Thus, researchers will need to consult with the local residents to undertake the study. 

"We will need to go through a number of approval processes and engage in consultation with local people before anything can happen as there are sensitive issues to consider before work can begin," Dr Krofcheck said.

Experts agree that many species of wildlife and fisheries are endangered globally due to the large release of radioactivity into the ocean in the wake of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that resulted in a meltdown of three nuclear reactors of the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Moreover, radioactive water continues to leak into the Pacific Ocean to this day.

See also: A "Most Unusual Event": Birds returning from Fukushima-area with troubling symptoms -- Appear to not have been able to find food in North Pacific -- "I've never seen birds in that poor of a condition come back to New Zealand"