Yesterday, March 29th 2011, Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) made their 9th release
of documents entitled "
Detection of radioactive materials from the seawater
around the discharge canal of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station".
They can be found here -
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp...1032906-e.html
Here are some salient figures extracted from the reports -
In samples collected at 8:40 on 28th March -
30km north of the discharge canals of Units 5 and 6 -
Iodine 131 levels are 816 times the statutory limits.
Cesium 134 levels are 110.2 times times the statutory limits.
Cesium 137 levels are 73.9 times times the statutory limits.
In samples collected at 14:40 on 28th March -
30km north of the discharge canals of Units 5 and 6
Iodine 131 levels are 665.8 times the statutory limits.
Cesium 134 levels are 93.8 times times the statutory limits.
Cesium 137 levels are 63.5 times times the statutory limits.
Levels south of the plant are lower, but, for example -
10km south of the discharge canals for Units 3 & 4 -
Iodine 131 levels are 85.5 times the statutory limits.
Cesium 134 levels are 10.1 times the statutory limits.
Cesium 137 levels are 6.9 times the statutory limits.
For further numbers, interested readers should refer to the original reports.
Japan's national broadcaster, in a news story today, March 30th report -
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by NHK March 30th
The science ministry says levels of radiation in seawater near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant are on the decline.
....
The ministry said 1.5 to 3.9 becquerels of radioactive cesium-137 per liter were found in seawater samples taken on Sunday. The amounts represent 1,000 to 2,600 times the levels measured in the same area 2 years ago.
But the current levels are only one-fifth to one-tenth of those detected on March 23rd.
....
Cesium-137 is said to remain in the environment for a longer time than other substances as it takes roughly 30 years to lose half of its radioactive intensity.
The Marine Ecology Research Institute says cesium-137 will not be directly absorbed into fish through gills but some species can accumulate the element by eating plankton and smaller fish.
It's believed that through this process, the density of cesium in fish can increase 10 to 100 times the level in the seawater.
It usually takes some time for radioactive material to be detected in fish after it flows into the sea. In many cases, such substances are found in flatfish and Japanese seaperch 2 to 3 months after a confirmed leak into the sea.
However, unlike mercury, such elements are eliminated from fish in several weeks.
|
That story and a video clip here -
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/30_01.html
Meanwhile, inside the plants themselves, NHK report today, March 30th -
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by NHK
Radioactive water found in and outside reactor buildings is delaying work to restore the cooling functions of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
....
The plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, believes it is highly likely that the water in an underground tunnnel next to the No.2 reactor's turbine building has the same source as a puddle in the basement.
The firm says the radioactive levels on the surface of the tunnel water are almost as high as those for the water in the basement.
The utility says water in the No.1 reactor's trench may have been brought in by tsunami waves. The firm says it is almost unthinkable that the water in the basement of the turbine building leaked into the trench because the tunnel is connected to the first floor.
Little progress has been made in removing the radioactive water from the basements of the turbine buildings of the first three reactors.
The water is thought to have come from the reactors' containment vessels. The amount may increase until workers determine the source of the leak.
The company is studying where to store the polluted water and how to remove the radioactive substances. But the firm says it is not sure if conventional methods can effectively treat the highly contaminated water.
|
That story and video clip here -
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/30_07.html
NHK also have a story dated March 29th that includes a video clip with graphics showing the trenches
that are filled with radioactive water that is of a concern to authorities.
See
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/29_18.html