Radiocesium migration in the litter layer of different forest types in Fukushima, Japan.

Cesium-137 (Cs) migration in the litter layer consists of various processes, such as input via throughfall, output via litter decomposition, and input from deeper layers via soil organism activity. We conducted litter bag experiments over 2 years (December 2014-November 2016) to quantify the inputs and outputs of Cs in the litter layer in a Japanese cedar plantation (Cryptomeria japonica) and a mixed broadleaf forest dominated by Quercus serrata located 40 km northwest of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. The experiments included four conditions, combining contaminated and non-contaminated litter and deeper layer material, and the inputs and outputs were estimated from the combination of Cs increases and decreases in the litter layer under each condition. The Cs dynamics differed between the two forests. In the C. japonica forest, some Cs input via throughfall remained in the litter layer, and downward Cs flux passed through the litter layer was 0.42 (/year).Upward flux of Cs from the deeper layer was very restricted, < 0.017 (/year). In the broadleaf forest, migration of Cs in throughfall into deeper layers was restricted, downward Cs flux was less than 0.003 (/year).Upward input of Cs from the deeper layer was prominent, 0.037 (/year). Cs output via litter decomposition was observed in both forests. The flux in the C. japonica forest was slower than that in the broadleaf forest, 0.12 and 0.15 (/year), respectively.