Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

It all started in 1934 when Enrico Fermi showed that even neutrons can split many kinds of atoms to release the energy held at its core, or nucleus.

Further research led to the first electricity produced from atomic energy at Idaho’s Experimental Breeder Reactor I in 1950s.

450 nuclear reactors across the World have endured to provide about 11 percent of the world’s electricity. The countries generating the most nuclear power are the United States, France, China, Russia, and South Korea, in descending order of their proportion.

Nuclear power is not yet recognized as renewable energy, considering its dependence on a mined, finite resource.

But because operating reactors do not emit any of the greenhouse gases contributing to global warming, Experts vouch for it to be considered a climate change solution.

Nevertheless, History isn’t short of disasters arising from Nuclear power plants, possibly its leakage.

With consistent Earthquakes in the region, Japan experienced a Tsunami that may have been conventional in nature but proved unconventional for the Nuclear visions of the country.

2011 saw the second worst nuclear accident in the history of nuclear power generation at the Fukushima Daiichi (“Number One”) plant in northern Japan.

As the radiation from Nuclear cores, mixes with air, water or soil, it sucks the absolute life out of it.

The Fukushima radiation had a minimal impact on humans, though the precautionary evacuations did cause unexpected social and health problems.

Why Japan insists on releasing the waters?

Although much of the radioactive material got diffused into the Pacific Ocean because of prevailing winds but excess contaminated water that was pumped out and treated is now being stored in huge tanks crowding the site.

This water got contaminated as it came in contact with the fuel before flowing into the damaged basements and tunnels, where it got mixed with the groundwater that flows through the site from hills above.

aftermath of the nuclear accident

Attempts have been made to restrict the water from coming in contact with the radioactive leakage through Wells or walls, but it has barely halted any such flow.

These tanks now hold about 1.3 million tonnes of radioactive water, equivalent to about 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The annual costs of this water storage has been estimated at about 100 billion yen ($912.66 million).

Japan now plans to release this contaminated water into the Sea. The maintenance company TEPCO has been using a system of pumps and pipes to inject water into the damaged reactor vessels to keep melted uranium fuel rods inside the core, cool enough.

How the release is planned?

Before releasing, the contaminated water will be filtered to remove all other isotopes, leaving only tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen hard to separate from water. It will then be diluted until tritium levels fall below regulatory limits.

It will then be pumped directly into the ocean from the coastal site, following the guidelines given by ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection).

Whatsoever the first water release is not expected in next two years. TEPCO plans to use this time for filtering the water, building required infrastructure and acquiring regulatory approvals.

The planned disposal of water and decommissioning of the plant may consume a complete decade.

Is Tritium harmful, to what extent?

It is to note that water containing tritium is routinely released from nuclear plants around the world. Also releasing the Fukushima waters to the ocean is supported by regulatory authorities of the country.

Tritium is believed to be relatively harmless because of inability to emit enough energy to penetrate human skin but it can still cause cancer if ingested.

Global obstruction To Japan’s water release:

Although TEPCO has engaged with fishing communities and other stakeholders regarding the matter. They are also keen to promote agriculture, fishery and forest products in stores and restaurants to avoid any reputational harm to the produce from this area. But the Fishing unions in Fukushima have raised concerns.

Are there any alternatives to releasing water?

Many environmental groups, including Greenpeace insist the Government to prefer building more tanks to contain water than to release these into vast water resource.

According to them, “The Japanese government has once again failed the people of Fukushima. It has discounted the radiation risks and turned its back on the clear evidence that sufficient storage capacity is available on the nuclear site as well as in surrounding districts.”

“Rather than using the best available technology to minimize radiation hazards by storing and processing the water over the long term, they have opted for the cheapest option, dumping the water into the Pacific Ocean.

Neighboring Countries and raising concerns:

South Korean Government has summoned Japanese ambassador to Seoul in order to express protest over Japan’s decision.

China has also reacted sharply to the Japan’s decision: “Our government expresses strong regret over the decision and will take all necessary steps with the safety of our citizens as the top priority. We will strongly demand Japan take concrete steps to ensure the safety of our citizens and prevent any damage to the maritime environment.”

“We strongly urge the Japanese side to face up to its responsibility, follow the science, fulfil its international obligations and duly respond to the serious concerns of the international community, neighboring countries and its own people.

It should re-evaluate the issue and refrain from wantonly discharging the wastewater before reaching consensus with all stakeholders and the IAEA through full consultations”

Taiwan, US and IAEA have also decided to monitor the situation before, during and after the release of Fukushima water.

By Alaina Ali Beg

I am a lover of all arts and therefore can dream myself in all places where the World takes me. I am an avid animal lover and firmly believes that Nature is the true sorcerer.