nuclear-news

Continuing radioactive leakage to the ocean from Fukushima nuclear plant

“We’re not over the hump” yet in terms of radioactive contamination of the ocean because of continued leakage from the plant, 

Radiation from tsunami disaster detected 400 miles off Japan’s coast, but levels below harmful Washinmgton Post, By Associated Press, February 21 SALT LAKE CITY — Radioactive contamination from the Fukushima power plant disaster has been detected as far as almost 400 miles off Japan in the Pacific Ocean, with water showing readings of up to 1,000 times more than prior levels, scientists reported Tuesday….

. “We’re not over the hump” yet in terms of radioactive contamination of the ocean because of continued leakage from the plant, Buesseler said in an interview before Tuesday’s talk. He was chief scientist for the cruise that collected the data.

The ship sampled water from about 20 miles to about 400 miles off the
coast east of the Fukushima plant. Concentrations of cesium-137
throughout that range were 10 to 1,000 times normal, but they were
about one-tenth the levels generally considered harmful, Buesseler
said.

Cesium-137 wasn’t the only radioactive substance released from the
plant, but it’s of particular concern because of its long persistence
in the environment. Its half-life is 30 years….. The highest
readings last June were not always from locations closest to the
Fukushima plant, Buesseler said. That’s because swirling ocean
currents formed concentrations of the material, he said.

Most of the cesium-137 detected during the voyage probably entered the
ocean from water discharges, rather than atmospheric fallout, he
added.

February 22, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Japan, oceans