Too much cesium in the sea

March 7, 2012

Contaminated water may still be leaking into sea from Fukushima plant

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20120307p2g00m0dm052000c.html

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A group of researchers has reported that radiation-contaminated water could still be leaking into the sea from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, nearly a year after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami triggered meltdowns at the complex.

Data on radioactive cesium in the sea near the plant shows a slower-than-expected decline in concentrations, the group, including Michio Aoyama of the Meteorological Research Institute, said.

Tokyo Electric Power Co., the operator of the nuclear plant, said it does not suspect contaminated water is leaking at present.

Although data for the past three to four months indicate a slower decline in radioactive cesium concentrations, current levels are far lower than those recorded just after the disaster, it said.

Last April, TEPCO found that contaminated water was leaking into the sea and stopped the flow by injecting chemicals into the ground.