The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power plant in Japan has commenced the controlled release of treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, as confirmed by the plant’s operator. The activation of a seawater pump was broadcasted via live video from the control room at the facility. This marks the outset of a protracted and contentious undertaking projected to span decades.

The operator officially announced the initiation of the release with the declaration, “Seawater pump A activated.”

The decision to discharge the treated water has ignited opposition from Japanese fishing associations, expressing concerns about potential harm to the reputation of their seafood. Similar apprehensions have surfaced among groups in China and South Korea, turning the matter into a subject of political and diplomatic discourse.

Despite reservations, both the Japanese government and TEPCO assert the necessity of releasing the treated water to facilitate the decommissioning of the plant and forestall unintended leaks. They contend that the water’s treatment and dilution processes will render it safer than the stipulated international standards, with minimal environmental repercussions. Nevertheless, certain scientific circles advocate for attention to be directed towards the potential long-term consequences of the lingering low-dose radioactivity in the water.

The commencement of the water release transpires over 12 years following the nuclear meltdowns that transpired in March 2011, triggered by a formidable earthquake and ensuing tsunami. This development signifies a momentous juncture in the plant’s endeavor to manage an increasing stockpile of radioactive water. Both TEPCO and the government have communicated that this accumulation has posed challenges to the intricate task of removing the perilous molten debris from the reactors.

The operational pump, set into action on Thursday afternoon, will transport the initial batch of diluted and treated water from a mixing pool to a secondary pool. Subsequently, the water will be discharged into the ocean through an undersea tunnel. Following the treatment process, a segment of the water is collected and repurposed as cooling water, while the remaining portion is stored within approximately 1,000 tanks. These tanks are presently at 98% of their 1.37-million-ton capacity.

Authorities elucidate that the imperative to vacate these tanks, encompassing a significant portion of the plant complex, is driven by the necessity to construct new facilities essential to the decommissioning process.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida underscores the indispensable nature of this step, emphasizing its inability to be postponed. He highlights an impending experimental endeavor to remove a minor quantity of melted debris from the No. 2 reactor, scheduled for later in the year employing a remotely operated robotic arm.

Junichi Matsumoto, an executive at TEPCO, elaborates that the release process will commence with the water possessing the lowest radioactive content, thereby prioritizing safety.

Preparations for the release were initiated earlier in the week when a mere ton of treated water was blended with 1,200 tons of seawater. This resultant mixture was held within the primary pool for a span of two days, subject to final safety assessments. Subsequently, a batch of 460 tons was slated for transfer to the mixing pool on Thursday, in preparation for the actual discharge.

Concerns emanating from Fukushima’s fishing industry, tourism sector, and economy—still recuperating from the disaster—revolve around the prospective repercussions of the release. Currently, the fishing yield in Fukushima stands at only a fifth of its pre-disaster levels, partly attributed to a decline in the fishing population. China has heightened its radiation scrutiny of Japanese products originating from Fukushima and other regions, resulting in extended customs processing times, as reported by officials from the Fisheries Agency.

The post Commencement of Treated Radioactive Wastewater Release from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Spurs Controversy and Long-Term Concerns. first appeared on bimaloan.net.