¹³⁷Cesium Contamination of the Pacific Ocean after the Fukushima Disaster

Fukushima Daiichi–Derived Radionuclides in the Ocean: Transport, Fate, and Impacts
Ken Buesseler, Minhan Dai, Michio Aoyama, Claudia Benitez-Nelson, Sabine Charmasson, Kathryn Higley, Vladimir Maderich, Pere Masqu´e, Paul J. Morris, Deborah Oughton, and John N. Smith; Annu. Rev. Mar. Sci. 2017. 9:173–203 (first published online June 30, 2016

The graphics over the years 2011 - 2016 indicate a progressive ¹³⁷Cs contamination of the Pacific with distribution towards the North American Westcoast. Compared with the original water contamination by the many Nuclear tests, though, the increase from 1-2Bq / m³ prior to the Fukushima explosion to 2-4Bq / m³ today is minimal and these values in seawater pose no direct danger to humans. However contamination of the food chain, i.e. frequent ingestion of contaminated fish may indeed pose increased risks.

(Radiocesium in Pacific Bluefin Tuna Thunnus orientalis in 2012 Validates New Tracer Technique. Daniel J. Madigan, Zofia Baumann, Owyn E. Snodgrass, Halim A. Ergu l, Heidi Dewar, and Nicholas S. Fisher, Environ. Sci. Technol., 2013, 47 (5), pp 2287–2294)