Measurements of hydrogen deposition velocities by farmland soil using D2 gas

Using D2 gas as a substrate, this study investigated the hydrogen deposition velocities of farmland soils around a reprocessing plant located in Rokkasho Village, Aomori, Japan. To determine the hydrogen deposition velocities, closed chambers with fans were set on the soils of farmlands that grow Japanese radishes, and changes in D2 concentration in the chambers were measured by gas chromatography. Results showed hydrogen deposition velocities of six soils were within the range of 1.0 × 10-4 ~ 2.0 × 10-4 m s-1. The heavy water (HDO) formations were detected in the soil after the experiment, showing the oxidation of D2 and conversion to water. Relationships between the obtained hydrogen deposition velocities and environmental conditions such as soil temperature, moisture and porosity were examined. A correlation was found between the hydrogen deposition velocities and soil gas phase rate (r = 0.98, p < 0.05).