Temporal variation and provenance of thorium deposition observed at Tsukuba, Japan

Temporal variations of monthly thorium (Th) deposition observed at Tsukuba, Japan during the period 1990-2007, comparing with plutonium deposition, was studied. The monthly (232)Th deposition as did (239,240)Pu, varied according to season and inter-annually. In particular, (232)Th deposition increased significantly in spring coinciding with Asian dust (Kosa) events. The (230)Th/(232)Th activity ratios vary according to sources and can therefore be used to differentiate between locally derived and remotely derived (232)Th. The (230)Th/(232)Th activity ratios in deposition samples showed large variability with high ratios occurring in early spring. These high (230)Th/(232)Th ratios in deposition can be attributed to local dust storms, especially in early spring, that cause resuspension of soils from cultivated fields which are characterized by high (230)Th/(232)Th activity ratios. The results reveal that both locally and remotely derived (232)Th deposition showed seasonal variations with maxima in spring, although the remotely derived fraction is dominant rather than the locally derived one. The (232)Th deposition maxima later in spring is attributable to the remotely derived fraction, corresponding to the Kosa events. Annual (232)Th deposition exhibited an increasing trend, suggesting the presence of sources other than soil dust such as fly ash from increasing coal burning.