To increase student engagement in our introductory chemistry course, we have developed a module where we discuss the chemistry of two important radioactive alkali metal isotopes, 134Cs and 137Cs, in relation to fishing off the coast of Fukushima-Ken. This is particularly relevant due to the nuclear meltdown of the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in March 2011. Specifically, we discuss the accumulation of these isotopes in two species of fish, Sebastetes cheni (English name: Black rockfish; Japanese Name: SHIRO MEBARU) and Okamejei kenojei (English name: Common Skete; Japanese Name: KOMON KASUBE).Information regarding how the data was obtained and how it relates to an introductory chemistry course will be shared.

Accumulation of cesium isotopes in <i>Sebastetes cheni</i> and <i>Okamejei kenojei</i>: Motivational examples for the chemistry classroom

247th National Meeting (2014)

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Accumulation of cesium isotopes in Sebastetes cheni and Okamejei kenojei: Motivational examples for the chemistry classroom