Dissolution, Mechanical Properties, and Thermal Stability of Microparticles Containing Radioactive Cesium on Plant Litter Derived from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Review Data

Q: Is the topic relevant to the journal area of interest? Is it contemporary and interesting for

researchers?

A: Weak; The present study pertains to nuclear radiation and not radiology (the scope of the journal), which is the medical discipline that uses medical imaging to diagnose and treat diseases.

Abstract & Keywords

Q: Are all required components included in the abstract? Are the keywords appropriately chosen?

A: Very good

Goal

Q: Is the goal explicitly stated in the Introduction? Is its formulation clear and unambiguous?

A: Very good

Structure

Q: Is the paper's structure coherent? Is it in coherence with the goal of the paper?

A: Very good

Tools and Methods

Q: Are methods the author uses adequate and well used?

A: Very good

Discussion & Conclusion

Q: Is it related to the results presented before? Do you consider them as coherent?

A: Very good

Comments:

The study is very well designed, and the rationale behind the selected methods are clearly explained. The results are recorded in adequate detail, and the Discussion lays down the implications of the findings thoroughly. In conclusion, the study indicates possible environmental contamination in the nearby soil and plants for more than 100 years; cesium microparticles (CsMPs) were found to remain stable at a temperature of approximately 300 °C, and the present study hopes to contribute to the simulation of future contamination and the method of decontamination of CsMPs in the future.

Literature

Q: Does the author utilize relevant literature?

A: Very good

Author's knowledge

Q: What is the level of the author’s knowledge? Does the author utilize all recent contributions relevant to the topic?

A: Very good

Length

Q: Is the length of the paper adequate to the significance of the topic? Do you suggest shortening the paper without losing its value?

A: Very good

Figures & Tables

Q: Does the author use them suitably? Are legend and notations clear?

A: Very good

Writing style

Q: Is it clear and understandable?

A: Very good

·       A few very minor issues with punctuations, articles (a, an, and the), hyphenation and consistency of tense were noted.

·       In the title, “Cs” must be replaced with “Cesium”.

Further comments on the paper

Comments: The authors of this study investigated insoluble cesium (Cs) microparticles to determine if they become soluble during filtration and dialysis experiments and their other physical properties, such as mechanical properties and thermal stability using carbonized charcoal litter. Since this can help determine whether the radioactive Cs from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011 has indeed polluted the environment and are impacting the health of residents around, thus informing policy-making, and because of a paucity of literature on this subject, the findings are of supreme importance.

Q: Would you recommend this manuscript for further publication?

A: Yes - Suitable to be published

If you have any questions and clarifications you can write to the journal.

Thanks,
Science Repository Team