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  • © 2019

The 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

An Analysis from the Metre to the Nanometre Scale

  • Nominated as an outstanding Ph.D. thesis by the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
  • First application of UAVs in radiation mapping
  • First identification and provenancing of specific Fukushima Daiichi reactor core material
  • Correlated approach to analyse single sub-mm particles through multiple complementary techniques

Part of the book series: Springer Theses (Springer Theses)

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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxix
  2. Response, Contamination and Release Estimates

    • Peter George Martin
    Pages 23-61
  3. Field-Based Methods

    • Peter George Martin
    Pages 63-90
  4. Samples and Preparation

    • Peter George Martin
    Pages 91-98
  5. Experimental Methods

    • Peter George Martin
    Pages 99-125
  6. Particulate Distribution

    • Peter George Martin
    Pages 161-183
  7. Uranium Particulate Analysis

    • Peter George Martin
    Pages 185-205
  8. Spectroscopy and Isotopic Analysis of Ejecta Material

    • Peter George Martin
    Pages 251-295
  9. Conclusions and Future Work

    • Peter George Martin
    Pages 297-307
  10. Back Matter

    Pages 309-326

About this book

This PhD sought to determine the mechanisms for the reactor explosions by mapping, collecting and analysing samples from across the area of Japan that received radioactive fallout from the explosions. In doing this, the author conducted significant fieldwork in the restricted-access fallout zone using ground and novel UAV-based mapping of radiation to identify hot-spot areas for sample collecting but also using these tools to verify the efficacy of the clean-up operations ongoing in the prefecture. Such fieldwork was both technically pioneering for its use of UAVs (drones) but also selfless in terms of bravely entering a nuclear danger area to collect samples for the greater benefit of the scientific community.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Interface Analysis Centre, School of Physics, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

    Peter George Martin

About the author

Peter first completed his BSc (Hons) in Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol, before undertaking his philanthropically-funded PhD within the Interface Analysis Centre, also at Bristol. He is currently a Research Associate in the School of Physics and an academic within the South West Nuclear Hub. His current research investigates the origins and environmental behaviour of microscopic particles of radioactive material within the environment.  Peter has published over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and has presented his work at leading scientific conferences around the world. 

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access