Tree-ring strontium-90 and cesium-137 as potential indicators of radioactive pollution

To examine whether tree rings can be used to detect or assess local historical 90Sr or 137Cs fallout, such as that resulting from the Hiroshima atomic bomb, radial distribution of 90Sr and 137Cs in trees was examined. We studied a gymnosperm [Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica (L. f.) D. Don] and an angiosperm (Japanese persimmon, Diospyros kaki Thunb.) tree species from the vicinity of the atomic bomb hypocenter, and from other locations in Japan. A significant amount of 137Cs was detected in tree rings formed before 1945, indicating lateral migration of Cs. In contrast, the specific activity of 90Sr in the Hiroshima Japanese cedar showed the highest level in 1945, due to relatively immobile characteristics of Sr compared with Cs. Strontium-90 and Sr analyses in tree rings helped identify and distinguish between residual 90Sr activity from the Hiroshima atomic bomb and the atmospheric nuclear testing. This indicates the possibility of detecting or assessing previous local 90Sr pollution through with treering analysis.     

Chronological trends in trace metals recorded by a tree bark pocket in Yakushima Island, Japan

Bark included within the trunk of a 200-year-old Japanese cedar tree harvested in Yakushima Island, Japan, a World Natural Heritage Site located 150 km south of mainland Japan and 800 km east of Shanghai, China, was analysed for trace metals by ICP-MS providing a chronology of atmospheric pollution. The concentration of V, As and Pb in decadal sections of the bark pocket increased 30 to 50 fold from 1900-09 to 1960-69, indicating increased atmospheric deposition of these metals. The trend coincided with the establishment and expansion of heavy industries in Kyushu, Japan, resulting in locally high levels of air pollution. V, As and Pb subsequently declined, reflecting lower industrial emissions following air pollution control legislation from the late 1960's and decline in heavy industries. Ni, Cu and Zn showed a relatively small, 7 to 10 fold increase over time. Lead isotope ratios in the bark pockets shifted from about 0.84 to 0.86 for 207Pb/206Pb and from 2.04 to 2.10 for 208Pb/206Pb, showing that the origin of atmospheric lead changed over time from coal to more diverse sources.     

Studies on transitory laxative effects of sorbitol and maltitol I: Estimation of 50% effective dose and maximum non-effective dose

The dose-response relationship between low-caloric sweetening agents, sorbitol and maltitol, administered orally in single doses, and the induction of diarrheal symptoms was investigated. Seven healthy male and 7 healthy female Japanese each in their twenties, thirties, and forties, respectively, or a total of 42 subjects were admitted to the study. The 50% laxative effective dose of sorbitol was estimated to be 0.4 g/kg for males and 1.0 g/kg for females and that of maltitol was estimated to be 0.8 g/kg for both males and females. The maximum non-effective dose of sorbitol was estimated to be 0.15 g/kg for males and 0.3 g/kg for females and that of maltitol was estimated to be 0.3 g/kg for both males and females.     

Studies on transitory laxative effects of sorbitol and maltitol: II: Differences in laxative effects among various foods containing the sweetening agents

We studied the laxative effect of sweetening agents, hydrogenated glucose syrup (HGS) containing 88–92% maltitol, and sorbitol contained in various foods. The subjects were 89 volunteers (64 males and 25 females). Foods used in the study were tablets, bevarages, chewing gum, jelly, adzuki-bean jelly, chocolate and candies which contained one of the two sweetening agents.The doses of the sweetening agents were 0.4 g/kg for sweets in tablet form and 20 g for the other foods. Approximately 10% of the subjects exhibited diarrhea after taking tablets as a control; approximately 20% did so after taking HGS except for adzuki-bean jelly; and approximately 30% did so after taking sorbitol. There was no significant difference between HGS and the control substance. The incidence of diarrhea tended to be higher with the two sweetening agents only when contained in adzuki-bean jelly. The length of time between the ingestion of test substances and the first onset of diarrheal stool varied widely from less than one hour to 23 hours among individuals. However, adzuki-bean jelly diarrhea was induced within 5 hours in all subjects. Soft stool accounted for 60 – 90% of the macroscopic findings of diarrheal stool. Chief complaints of abdominal symptoms were gurgling, flatus and lower abdominal pain.     

Studies on transitory laxative effects of sorbitol and maltitol: III: Alterations in serum contents due to laxative effects

Maltitol or sorbitol was administered in doses of 0.8 g/kg to 20 physically healthy subjects (10 males and 10 females) and 6 diabetic patients (3 males and 3 females). Maltitol and sorbitol caused diarrhea in 75% and 95% of the subjects, respectively. Stool was watery in most of the subjects. The serum concentration of each sweetening agent was as low as approximately 0.3 mg/dl 2 hours after administration. The serum concentrations of Na, K, Cl, BUN, glucose and insulin did not change 2 hours after administration.     

Cross-country analysis of relationship between material input structures and consumption-based CO2 emissions

Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - This study focuses on the effects of changes in material and energy input structure on the consumption-based CO2 emissions. Previous studies...