September 22, 2014

Sep 22, 2014 | Fukushima Accident Updates

  • Tepco will install real-time seawater radiation monitors. The new monitors will enable the company constant observation of the ocean radioactivity, rather than the periodic sampling analyses currently used. The devices will detect both Cesium isotopes of concern (Cs-134 & Cs-137) as well as Beta-emitting nuclides. This should give Tepco a better understanding of contaminated water leakage to the sea, which has been speculated but not analytically confirmed. The devices will monitor the entrance to the F. Daiichi port and the sea along the north and south breakwalls. Trial operation began September 4th. Tepco wants about three months of data for device verification, and plan installation between April and September of 2015. http://www.jaif.or.jp/english/news_images/pdf/ENGNEWS01_1411364118P.pdf
  • The groundwater bypass pumping operation is showing success. Tepco has been “pumping up” groundwater from wells inland from the damaged units, before it can be contaminated. So far, more than 35,000 tons have been pumped out of the wells, purified to be sure it is uncontaminated, then released to the sea. The operation has dropped levels in the wells nearest the contaminated turbine building basements by about 20 centimeters (8 inches), indicating a significant restriction to groundwater inflow with the basements. As a result, Tepco estimates that groundwater seepage into the basements has dropped by 50-80 tons per day. https://dunrenard.wordpress.com/tag/fukushima-daiichi/ (from NHK World)
  • The in-ground barriers to prevent groundwater leakage to the sea are apparently working. There are three monitoring wells between the soil-solidified barriers and the inner port (quay) at F. Daiichi. The latest readings from well 1-9 used to monitor the quay’s shore between units #1 & #2, now shows no detectible Beta emitters or Tritium, and barely detectible Cesium isotopes (Bs-134 @ 4.7 Bq/liter, and Cs-137 @ 13 Bq/l). Well 2-7, between units #2 & #3, shows no Cs-134, 1.2 Bq/l Cs-137, Beta-emitters @ 890 Bq/l, and Tritium @ 670Bq/l. Well 3-5 between units #3 & #4, shows Beta-emitters @ 43 Bq/l and no detectible Tritium. It should be noted that these levels are well-below Japan’s drinking water standards of 60 Bq/l for Cs-134, 90 Bq/l for Cs-137, and 10,000 Bq/l for Tritium. The above should be compared to the highest readings taken before completion of the in-ground barriers, to be found at the bottom of each page listed below. The most striking change is with well 1-9, which showed peaks of Cs-134 @ 170 Bq/l and Cs-137 @ 380 Bq/l in September, Beta-emitters @ 2,100 Bq/l in November, and Tritium @ 860 Bq/l also in November.  http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/nu/fukushima-np/f1/smp/2014/images/2tb-east_14092201-e.pdf — http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/nu/fukushima-np/f1/smp/2014/images/2tb-east_14091901-e.pdf
  • Tokyo’s new Industry Minister says nuclear energy is necessary. On Sunday, Minister Yuko Obuchi said the resource-poor nation should be realistic about its energy needs, “It would be very difficult to make the decision not to have nuclear power right now.” Japan’s rate of energy self-sufficiency was about 35% with the nukes running, is currently just 6%, and the costs are soaring due to the nuclear moratorium. Obuchi pointed out, “After the Fukushima accident, the cost of fossil fuel imports jumped by 3.6 trillion yen, or 10 billion yen ($100 million) per day.” She also emphasized that no nukes will be restarted unless they meet or exceed Japan’s new, stringent regulations for safety and operation. http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/industry-minister-tries-to-convince-public-on-need-for-nuclear-energy?utm_campaign=jt_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=jt_newsletter_2014-09-22_AM
  • Some Fukushima fishermen are complaining about the plan to discharge previously-contaminated water to the sea. Tepco and Tokyo held the preliminary briefing on the plans last Thursday. The company wan5ts to pump out water from 42 sumps near the four-unit’s contaminated basement, and discharge it after purification. Not everyone was convinced. One attendee said, “I can’t believe anything TEPCO says.” Another said, “If a critical problem should occur, (local fisheries) would be severely damaged, they wouldn’t be able to recover.” A third complained, “How many times will we have to make a similar painful decision?” It should be noted that these comments were not indicative of the entire number of fishermen, but the Asahi Shimbun made it seem that it is. Future meetings are planned to accommodate those who wanted to attend, but were tuned away due to limited space in the meeting room. http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201409190046