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Ocean life endangered by proposed seismic imaging project

California energy agencies have recommended and PG&E has proposed the Central Coastal California Seismic Imaging Project  (the project). Using high-intensity seismic surveys in ocean waters, PG&E intends to study faults and their connections deep under the seafloor near the plant.

The project would put sea birds, fish, squid, and other ocean life at risk, undermine the safeguards of Marine Protected Areas that local residents worked hard to create, and affect human communities that depend on thriving ocean life.

Given that less harmful studies likely will address high priority uncertainties in the hazard assessment, we urge the Coastal Commission to follow the staff recommendation  and deny the permit

Can Nuclear Safety Be Improved Without Sacrificing Ocean Life? NRDC Switchboard,  Karen Garrison, November 5, 2012 I was just a child when scientists in St. Louis found radioactive material in thousands of baby teeth collected nationwide. People around the world were shocked to learn that fallout from nuclear testing had worked its way into the food chain, as dairy cows ingested radioactive material that landed on pastures. A test ban treaty is now in place, but decades later, we’re still living with the risks of nuclear power. Continue reading →

November 6, 2012 Posted by | oceans, USA | Leave a comment

Progress Energy’s nuclear plans a threat to Florida’s wetlands

Experts: Major Damage To Region’s Wetlands Seen If Levy Nuclear Reactor Gets License To Move Ahead http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/31/4951156/experts-major-damage-to-regions.html By Nuclear Information and Resource Service, Bronson, FL, Oct. 31, 2012  BRONSON, Fla.,  – Groups:  Progress Energy Relying on the Kind of Weak Geology Review That Should No Longer Pass Muster Now that a Respected Geologist Heads the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.– Some of Florida’s limited remaining fresh-water wetlands are at serious risk if Progress Energy’s problem-plagued Levy nuclear power plant project is allowed to proceed, according to experts testifying here today before a three-judge Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) panel.

Expert testimony from scientists appearing before the NRC judges on behalf of the Ecology Party of Florida and Nuclear Information & Resource Service (NIRS) warned that construction and operation of the proposed dual reactors would deplete the region’s aquifer, cause saltwater intrusion to the already-imperiled local water supply,  and harm fragile springs and wetland plants and wildlife in the area.   Continue reading →

November 1, 2012 Posted by | environment, Legal, USA | Leave a comment

Greece finds Fukushima radiation fallout

Radioecological indexes of fallout measurements from the Fukushima nuclear accident http://sciencealerts.com/stories/2051814/Radioecological_indexes_of_fallout_measurements_from_the_Fukushima_nuclear_accident.html#.UI7UmW_A9dN  Fallout from the Fukushima nuclear accident has been monitored for about 1 month in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece. Three different radionuclides, one short-lived, one relatively long-lived and one long-lived fission product were identified in air, grass and milk samples. The 131I, 137Cs and 134Cs activity concentrations in air reached 497, 145 and 126μBqm−3, respectively on 4 April, 201These radionuclides are of particular concern regarding their transfer from the environment to population through the ingestion pathways for the assessment of the Fukushima accident consequences. Radioecological indexes (eco-indexes) of fallout measurements in the air–grass–cow-milk–man pathway for 131I were determined, as they are related to radiological impact of the Fukushima derived radionuclides on the public and environment.

October 29, 2012 Posted by | environment, Greece | Leave a comment

Fukushima cooling water might be released into ocean

Tepco: Water used to cool Fukushima reactors could be released into ocean — Outside experts worried http://enenews.com/tepco-water-cool-fukushima-reactors-could-be-released-ocean-experts-worried-about-lasting-impact
October 25th, 2012   Title  AP Interview: Japan Nuke Plant Water Worries Rise (PHOTOS)
Source: Associated Press
Author: MARI YAMAGUCHI (Malcolm Foster contributed to this report)
Date: October 25, 2012
Japan’s crippled nuclear power plant is struggling to find space to store [… a]bout 200,000 tons of radioactive water […]

TEPCO is close to running a new treatment system that could make the water safe enough to release into the ocean. […]

Outside experts worry that if contaminated water is released, there will be lasting impact on the environment. […]

TEPCO claims the treated water from this new system is clean enough to be potentially released into the ocean, although it hasn’t said whether it would do that. […]

October 27, 2012 Posted by | Fukushima 2012, Japan, oceans | Leave a comment

Seabed off Fukushima radioactive for decades to come

Radiation settles on seabed off Japan Radio Australia  26 October 2012,  New research suggests radiation from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant has settled on the ocean floor off Japan, and could contaminate sea life for decades.

Contamination may be due to low-level leaks from the Fukushima nuclear plant. (Credit: AFP) Marine chemist Ken Buesseler of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reviewed official Japanese data on radiation levels in fish, shellfish and seaweed collected near the crippled nuclear plant. He concluded the lingering contamination may be due to low-level leaks from the facility, or contaminated sediment on the ocean floor.

His research, published on Thursday in the US magazine Science, estimated that about 40 per cent of fish caught near Fukushima are considered unfit for consumption under Japanese
regulations…..http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-10-26/radiation-settles-on-seabed-off-japan/1036750

October 27, 2012 Posted by | Japan, oceans | Leave a comment

Fukushima radioactive water could fill 50 Olympic sized swimming pools

To deal with the excess tainted water, the utility has channeled it to more than 300 huge storage tanks placed around the plant.

Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Plant’s Contaminated Water Storage Running Out Of Space HUFFINGTON POST, By MARI YAMAGUCHI 10/25/12  TOKYO — Japan’s crippled nuclear power plant is struggling to find space to store tens of thousands of tons of highly contaminated water used to cool the broken reactors, the manager of the water treatment team said.

About 200,000 tons of radioactive water – enough to fill more than 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools – are being stored in hundreds of gigantic tanks built around the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant. Operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. has already chopped down trees to make room for more tanks and predicts the volume of water will more than triple within three years. Continue reading →

October 26, 2012 Posted by | Fukushima 2012, Japan, water | Leave a comment

Fish caught off Japan’s coast becoming MORE radioactive

 the most contaminated fish found yet off Fukushima were caught in August, some 17 months after the disaster. The two greenlings, which are bottom-feeders, had cesium levels of more than 25,000 becquerels per kilogram, 250 times the level the government considers safe. 

Radiation levels in fish off Japan not declining since nuclear disaster Anchorage Daily News,  October 25, 2012  By MALCOLM FOSTER — Associated Press TOKYO — Radioactive cesium levels in most kinds of fish caught off the coast of Fukushima haven’t declined in the year following Japan’s nuclear disaster, a signal that the seafloor or leakage from the damaged reactors must be continuing to contaminate the waters – possibly threatening fisheries for decades, a researcher says. Continue reading →

October 26, 2012 Posted by | Japan, oceans | 1 Comment

High radiation in Fukushima neighbourhoods

Japan Newspaper: Radiation levels rising every month since decontamination in Fukushima district — Gov’t won’t help or even respond — “Are they forcing us to tolerate high radiation?”   http://enenews.com/mainichi-radiation-levels-rising-every-month-since-decontamination-in-fukushima-district-govt-wont-help-or-even-respond-are-they-forcing-us-to-tolerate-high-radiation  Title: One year on, Fukushima still fights uphill battle to decontaminate farming district
Source: Mainichi Japan
Date: Oct. 18, 2012
h/t Fukushima Diary

[…] The residents of the Onami district are frustrated with the government’s inaction, with one of them saying, “Are they forcing us to tolerate high radiation doses?” Continue reading →

October 24, 2012 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

150 years before people can return to radiation contaminated land

It takes over 150 yrs for people to come back to Futaba machi, “Decontamination is useless.” http://fukushima-diary.com/2012/10/it-takes-over-150-yrs-for-people-to-come-back-to-futaba-machi-decontamination-is-useless/  by Mochizuki   October 20th, 2012 · On 10/16/2012, Assistant Prof. Kimura from Dokkyo medical university had a lecture in the
restration committee of Futaba machi.

In this lecture, he introduced his personal view over the situation that it takes over 150 years for all the citizens to come back to the town even though they consider the half-life and the shielding effect of the ground.

He adds this is on the assumption that they don’t decontaminate the town, but he also added it’s useless to decontaminate this highly contaminated land. In Futaba machi, the lowest atmospheric dose is 0.3μSv/h but the highest reading is over20μSv/h.

October 22, 2012 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

Cesium above new limit in Miyagi beef http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121019a2.html Jiji SENDAI — Radioactive cesium levels above the government’s new limit have been found in beef from Miyagi Prefecture, the prefectural government said.

 Meat from a cow shipped by a farmer in Tome was found to contain more than 150 becquerels of radioactive cesium per kilogram, the Miyagi Prefectural Government said Wednesday.

The stricter limit of 150 becquerels for beef and rice took effect Oct. 1. The previous limit was 500 becquerels per kilogram.

It is the first time beef with radioactive cesium levels above the tightened limit has been found.

The cow was shipped to a slaughterhouse in the Shibaura district in Tokyo and a radioactivity check on the meat was conducted Tuesday, the prefecture said. The meat was discarded, officials said.

The prefecture is investigating, suspecting that rice straw eaten by the cow was contaminated by fallout from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant disaster.Miyagi Prefecture told the farmer not to ship any more cows until the investigation is completed, and asked nearby ranchers to suspend shipments voluntarily.

October 22, 2012 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

Critics on all sides as Australia leads way on Antarctic protection BY: MATTHEW DENHOLM, TASMANIA CORRESPONDENT  The Australian October 18, 2012  AUSTRALIA and France have developed a plan to protect 1.9 million square kilometres of east Antarctica as new marine parks, although a report today will call for an even larger reserve.

The Australia-France proposal, backed by the EU, covers seven coastal zones in east Antarctica….  (subscribers only)
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/foreign-affairs/critics-on-all-sides-as-australia-leads-way-on-antarctic-protection/story-fn59nm2j-1226498135791

October 19, 2012 Posted by | ANTARCTICA, oceans | Leave a comment

Rapid melting of ice in the Antarctic

parts of the Antarctic ice caps were melting at unprecedented rates.

“The role of scientists is not to be alarmists, and not to downplay the data, but simply to report it.”

Antarctic climate facing ‘rapid’ changes: chief scientist, The Age,  October 16, 2012 -Australia’s chief Antarctic scientist says claims by climate experts about environmental changes in the southern continent are not alarmist.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) told a Senate estimates hearing today “rapid changes” taking place across the icy land mass would have significant impact on global climate.
Changes in ocean flows and shifts in Antarctic ice cap levels were occurring at rates faster than at any other time in history, chief scientist Nick Gales said. ”That’s the part that is the most dramatic about the information we’re receiving,” he told the hearing. Continue reading →

October 17, 2012 Posted by | climate change, oceans | Leave a comment

The “Fukushima Syndrome” – sick and dying cattle

Inside Evacuation Zone: Cattle sick, dying — “We call it Fukushima syndrome” — Severe diarrhea, skin problems, weakened immune systems http://enenews.com/farm-evacuation-zone-cattle-sick-dying-call-fukushima-syndrome-diarrhea-like-water-snivel-spreading-dermatitis-immune-system-being-weaken  October 8th, 2012
Oct 5, 2012Recent tweets by Fukushima Farm Sanctuary (@kibounobokujyou), a farm inside the 20 kilometer evacuation zone, translated by Fukushima Diary:

4 cattle have died since yesterday. One more calf is about to die. They must be fed enough though nutrition might not be perfect. Is bad disease going around ? I’m worried about radiation too. We call it Fukushima syndrome. […]

Oct 6, 2012

3 died yesterday. […]

Oct 7, 2012

Masami Yoshizawa, Rancher

Diarrhea like water, snivel, spreading dermatitis, their immune system is being weaken, which is obvious even for amateur. It might be because of simply the lack of nutrition, epidemic disease, or radiation exposure. Probably it’s only in this hazard area, where series of cattle die one after one. We call it Fukushima syndrome, which was born from Tepco and the government.

Oct 7, 2012

A lot of calves are dying but adult cattle are dying too. Calves die regardless of the age. If it becomes winter in this situation, the number might become half or less than that.

October 9, 2012 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

California Health Department not happy with Treasure Island’s radiation status

The Navy has yet to explain the significance of a 1965 report that described how “radioactive and poisonous wastes had been buried west of the abandoned landing strip in a future construction area.”

Navy’s Treasure Island Radiation Report Found Wanting NBC Bay Area 8 Oct 12 The Navy’s report is part of the process of turning the military land over to the city of San Francisco, which has approved construction of 8,000 homes there. By Matt Smith |  Monday, Oct 8, 2012 Recent U.S. Navy explanations for widespread readings of radioactivity on the former Treasure Island Naval Station don’t adequately explore the possibility that the base might have been dusted for years with radioactive ash, soaked with radioactive sewage and contaminated by radioactive garbage, California health regulators said today. Continue reading →

October 9, 2012 Posted by | environment, USA | Leave a comment

Contamination, Including Human Exposure – Fukushima

Fukushima  Nuclear Crisis Update for October 2nd to October 4th, 2012 Greenpeace International,  by Christine McCann – October 5, 2012 “…Contamination, Including Human Exposure The JAEC has begun monitoring radiation levels in restricted zones of Fukushima Prefecture via unmanned helicopters. The project, which was requested by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), marks the first time that radiation has been measured from the air in the no-go zone. The agency will compile a report by the end of the month, including radiation maps of hotspots. Meanwhile, another research team is studying radiation levels in forests and rivers there, in order to determine their effect on human habitats and the ocean. The research will continue for the next 20 years. (Source: NHK)

Researchers from the Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University (NVLU) have begun to study the effects of radiation on Japanese macaques, noting that the similarities between primates and humans may help them determine how radiation could eventually affect people. Shin-ichi Hayama, one of the scientists working on the project, said, “This presents an opportunity to study the impact of low-dose radiation on primates, which are so close to humans, over a more than 20-year period. That could help forecast the impact on humans, as well.”http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/nuclear-reaction/fukushima-nuclear-crisis-update-for-october-2/blog/42456/

October 5, 2012 Posted by | environment, Japan | Leave a comment

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