A Study on the Prefectural Distribution of Radioactive Cesium Concentrations in Dried Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Produced in Japan.

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  • 日本産干椎茸中の放射性セシウムの地域分布に関する研究
  • ニホンサン ホシシイタケチュウ ノ ホウシャセイ セシウム ノ チイキ ブンプ

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Abstract

After the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, relatively high radioactive cesium levels were detected in various mushrooms produced in many countries. Mushrooms have a high transfer factor, showing a relatively high uptake of cesium from wood and soil from which they grow.<BR>In the present investigation, we analysed radioactive cesium concentrations contained in the dried Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) produced in various prefectures all over Japan, and examined the effectiveness of this mushroom as an indicator of radioactive contamination of environment due to nuclear explosion tests and Chernobyl power plant accident.<BR>We collected dried Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) grown on the wood from 32 prefectures from north to south, and measured 137Cs and 134Cs concentrations with high purity Ge-detectors. Levels of 137Cs concentration were found to vary from 3.4 to 33.6 Bq/kg, while those of 134Cs were less than detectable.<BR>137Cs concentrations in Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) samples showed a statistically significant positive correlation with those in rain and dry fallout at 1% significance level. They also proved to have been inversely correlated with atmospheric temperature at 10% significance level, but it could not be determined whether it was only an apparent correlation or not because no information of 137Cs concentrations in wood was available. Multiple correlation coefficient of 137Cs concentrations with atmospheric temperatures and fallout levels was 0.54 which was statistically significant at 2.5% level. A variance analysis based on the 137Cs concentrations in Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) classified into 7 groups (Hokkaido-Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu) showed that the variance between the groups was significantly greater than that within each group, which suggested, together with the above-mentioned information regarding the correlation of 137Cs concentration in Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) with average temperatures and fallout levels, that the 137Cs levels in Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) are possibly related with these two factors.

Journal

  • RADIOISOTOPES

    RADIOISOTOPES 46 (5), 272-280, 1997

    Japan Radioisotope Association

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