The Fukushima nuclear accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake was
an unprecedented disaster.
We want to preserve the valuable data from Fukushima that we have collected,
analyzed and researched since immediately after the accident,
for the future of the world and for the next generation.

We sincerely appreciate your donations.

About Center for Research in Radiation, Isotopes, and Earth System Sciences

 The University of Tsukuba's Center for Research in Radiation, Isotopes, and Earth System Sciences (former Center for Research in Isotopes and Environmental Dynamics) was established in 2012, just after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, by gathering experts from across the university.

 For the safety of the residents, the center has been conducting research on the environmental pollution caused by the radioactive materials dispersed by the nuclear accident, the effects of the accident on agricultural products and drinking water, and the prediction of long-term environmental pollution.  


Our Mission.

 From the early days of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident to the present, we have continued to collect, analyze and study samples based on the correct standard values.
 Although the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident was an unprecedentedly serious accident, we are confident that these data will be invaluable for the future of society and for any accidents that may occur in the future.
 We must protect the data we have accumulated over the years without losing any of them.

 For the future, we must improve and expand our data archive of radioactive materials on land and in the oceans, including Fukushima, so that these data can be used by researchers all over the world whenever they need them, which will lead to the advancement of science.
 It is our mission to carry on the research that we have done so far for future generations.  



About the background of our Fukushima datasets

 Immediately after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the radionuclide analysis and environmental migration have been carried out at the CRiES (former CRiED) under the leadership of Prof. Onda, the current director of the center.

 However, due to the strict plant quarantine system in Japan, there were almost no official imports of IAEA standard environmental samples, and the validity of the measured values of the environmental samples was still not guaranteed in Japan. Therefore, in July 2011, shortly after the accident, Onda Laboratory of University of Tsukuba approached IAEA about a nationwide skills test for the identification of radionuclides in environmental samples in Japan, to which IAEA readily agreed the following month. In 2012, IAEA Japan Proficiency Test (JAPAN PT) for radionuclide identification of environmental materials was held for the first time in Japan in cooperation with Onda Laboratory of the University of Tsukuba and the IAEA Environmental Laboratory.

 The JAPAN PT has made it possible to obtain accurate data based on the measurements of environmental samples in Japan, which has enabled Japan to gain international confidence in the measurement values of environmental samples and to contribute to the reduction of the effects of radioactivity on the environment and human health through accurate determination of radionuclide concentrations. Since then, we have been verifying the data by re-measuring the initial samples, assuring the quality of the observation data, and carrying out the skills test of measurement using Fukushima-originated reference materials and investigating standard measurement methods in cooperation with IAEA and ALMERA(Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity established by the IAEA).

 In addition, we are collaborating with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire (IRSN), Plymouth University (UK), and other international organizations to conduct monitoring and modeling of water and sediment transport using the world's most advanced methods and technologies.

  Under this research system, ERAN, a joint research center consisting of our center as the core institute, was approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in 2019.
 ERAN consists of six organizations: CRiES of Univ. of Tsukuba, IER of Fukushima Univ., and IREM of Hirosaki Univ. as network centers, and, JAEA, IES, and NIES as cooperative network centers. We are convinced that the results of the joint research and international efforts will be critical to the recovery and possible future events.  

 ・CRiES at Univ.of Tsukuba: Research on radionuclide transfer mechanisms and environmental transfer on land.
 ・IER at Fukushima Univ.: Research hub in Fukushima. Integration of dynamic research and use of archived materials of the Fukushima nuclear accident.
 ・IREM at Hirosaki Univ.: Dynamics and impact assessment of radioactive materials in the sea area.
 ・JAEA: A model for migration in the radioactive environment, and an environmental database for radioactive materials.
 ・NIES: Assessment of migration and impact on ecosystems. Assessment of the dynamics of radioactive materials in the atmospheric environment.
 ・IES: Radioactive materials transfer model from reprocessing plant, and Environmental dynamics of Tritium and radiocarbon.

  

How your gift will be used.

Enhanced database maintenance

 We currently handle about 2.5 million records as of March 2023, and all of this data is published by the DOI.
 For this reason, it is essential to have an organizational management system and the human resources needed to maintain and manage these records permanently, in addition to DOI registration fees and server and other maintenance costs. In particular, multiple Web engineers and Database engineers are needed for each.



Field Survey in Fukushima

 From the early days of the accident to the present, we have been continuously conducting field surveys in Fukushima. We investigate the ocean, mountains, forests, rivers, and agricultural land at least twice a month, including typhoons and heavy rains, to collect samples and perform maintenance of equipment. In addition to the cost of transportation and accommodation, the field survey requires a number of personnel.



Organizing and archiving of Fukushima samples

 We, Center for Research in Radiation, Isotopes, and Earth System Sciences, has been collecting samples since the early days of the accident in 2011, before the establishment of the Center.
 The samples collected continuously over these years are very valuable, and they are organized and stored by sample type, geographic coordinates, collection depth and date of collection. However, the amount of these samples is already enormous, and it is urgent to secure human resources and storage facilities for the sake of continuous management of these valuable samples to the next generation.




 

About Tax Deduction

 The University of Tsukuba's Center for Research in Radiation, Isotopes, and Earth System Sciences will send you a reciept, however, please ask your regional Taxation Bureau if your international donation is tax deductible.     

 

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