In 2011, Japan suffered a devastating natural disaster when a powerful earthquake, followed by a tsunami, caused over 20,000 deaths and destroyed vast areas of land. The tsunami flooded an area of 560 km², and this catastrophe severely damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which proved resilient to earthquakes but not to the high wave that flooded the reactors.
In the years following the accident, the TEPCO company worked on collecting and treating contaminated water to prevent further environmental pollution. Using the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), the radioactivity in the water was significantly reduced. However, due to limited storage capacity, Japan adopted a plan in 2021 to gradually release the treated water into the Pacific Ocean.
Although the water has been treated to remove most radioactive materials, tritium, a hydrogen isotope, remains present as it is more challenging to remove. While the risks from it are minimal, there are concerns in the region about its long-term environmental impact and effects on fisheries. Since Japan is not the only country bordering the Pacific Ocean, another country has now become involved in monitoring this process.
The IAEA conducted an extensive review and issued a comprehensive report in July 2023, confirming the safety of the proposed water release process.
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However, recent developments now include China’s participation in this process. China’s involvement helps ensure additional transparency and increases confidence that the process will be safe and compliant with the highest international standards. After consultations between Japan and China, the two countries agreed on additional measures within the IAEA framework to enhance stakeholder participation. The IAEA will now coordinate with both Japan and China, as well as other involved countries, in implementing these additional measures, further strengthening efforts for monitoring and supervision, as stated on their website.
There is concern that if tritium accumulates in marine ecosystems, it could affect marine organisms, especially with prolonged exposure. Although tritium emits low-energy beta radiation, which cannot penetrate human skin, it can be ingested through water or food. Given that China also shares these coastal waters, it seeks a more transparent approach. Nonetheless, the scientific community believes that tritium concentrations in the treated water to be released from Fukushima are below levels that would pose a risk to human health or the environment, provided that international standards are followed.
As for the amount of water, Japan plans to release about 1.3 million tons of treated water, which is equivalent to several hundred Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Energetski Portal
