Fukushima fallout in Northwest German environmental media

Traces of short- and long-lived fallout isotopes (131I, 134Cs and 137Cs) were found in environmental samples collected in Northwest Germany (rain water, river sediment, soil, grass and cow milk) from March to May 2011, following the radioactivity releases after the nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan. The measured concentrations are consistent with reported concentrations in air, amount of rainfall and expected values applying simple radioecological models. The [134Cs]/[137Cs] ratio reported for air (about 1) allows for discrimination between “recent” and “old” 137Cs. Expected 136Cs values fell below the detection limits of the instrumentation, despite large sample masses and long counting times.

► 131I, 134Cs and 137Cs traces were detected in the environment of NW Germany.
► Detected radionuclides were linked to the Fukushima accident releases.
► Areal deposition was predicted from air concentrations using radioecological models.
► The measured concentrations are consistent with the models.
► Based on Cs isotopic ratios, most of the present 137Cs comes from the “old” fallout.