Japan has recently released plans to discharge over 1 million tons of water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea. These waters have reportedly been treated, yet potentially harbor radioactive properties. This decision has sparked concerns among Japan’s neighboring countries, including South Korea.
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power plant experienced a devastating malfunction in 2011, spurred by a massive earthquake and tsunami. No direct fatalities were attributed to the calamity, but it resulted in approximately 18,000 casualties due to the earthquake and tsunami. The incident also led to a significant release of radioactive materials into the environment.
Following the disaster, Japan started storing the cooling water for nuclear fuel along with rain and groundwater that penetrated damaged reactor structures in large onsite tanks. However, as storage capacities are gradually depleted, the country has turned to other strategies, such as releasing the water into the sea.
Treatment and Disposal Process
Japan employs a filtering system called the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) to treat the collected water. This system effectively eliminates most radioactive elements, except for tritium, a form of hydrogen isotope notoriously challenging to separate. Tritium, however, is naturally radioactive and decays over approximately 12.5 years.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supports Japan’s decision to release the treated water into the ocean, asserting that there are no more viable options for safe storage.
Raised Concerns and Opposition
South Korea is gravely concerned about the potential contamination of its waters, as well as its seafood and salt supplies. They fear that the move could severely impact their fishing industry and public health. These concerns have fueled a surge in salt demand, resulting in a price increase of nearly 27%. Other factors such as weather and decreased production have played a role in this hike.
China has also vocalized its opposition to Japan’s plan, questioning its transparency and expressing concerns regarding the potential implications for global health and the marine environment.
Major Nuclear Disasters of The World
Notable global nuclear disasters include the 1986 Chernobyl Disaster in Ukraine, which was triggered by a power surge during a safety test. The accident resulted in a series of explosions and fires that destroyed the reactor and released significant amounts radioactive materials into the atmosphere.
The United States experienced the Three Mile Island Accident in 1979 in Pennsylvania, where a partial meltdown of the reactor’s core caused radioactive gases to leak.
The Kyshtym Disaster occurred in 1957 at the Mayak Production Association in the Soviet Union (now Russia), involving a nuclear waste storage tank explosion that also dispersed substantial amounts of radioactive materials into the environment.
Nuclear Power Plants: A Brief Overview
Nuclear power plants generate electricity via nuclear fission. In this process, atoms are split into smaller atoms, releasing energy. The reactor’s core, which houses the uranium fuel, is the site of fission. The heat generated during nuclear fission boils water into steam, which powers turbine blades. As these blades spin, they drive generators that produce electricity. The steam is then cooled back into water in a separate structure or using water from nearby bodies. The cooled water is subsequently reused to generate more steam.
About International Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency or IAEA, established in 1957, is an intergovernmental organization that promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy and inhibits its use for military purposes. Headquartered at the UN Office at Vienna, Austria, it reports to both the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council. In recognition of their work towards ensuring a safe and peaceful world, they were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.