Measurement and estimation of radiocesium discharge rate from paddy field during land preparation and mid-summer drainage.

In this research, we evaluated the range of (137)Cs discharge rates from paddy fields during land preparation and mid-summer drainage. First, we investigated (137)Cs discharge loads during land preparation and mid-summer drainage and their ratio to the (137)Cs inventory of paddy field soil. We found that total discharge rates were 0.003-0.028% during land preparation and 0.001-0.011% during mid-summer drainage. Next, we validated the range of obtained total discharge of (137)Cs from the paddy fields using a simplified equation and literature review. As a result, we conclude that the range of total outflow loads of suspended solids for the investigated paddy field was generally representative of paddy fields in Japan. Moreover, the (137)Cs discharge ratio had a wide range, but was extremely small relative to (137)Cs present in paddy field soil before irrigation.