Alaska Scientists Express Concerns over Fukushima’s Release of Treated Radioactive Wastewater
Alaska’s scientific community is raising apprehensions as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant prepares to release treated and diluted radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. The announcement of the impending release, sanctioned by Japan’s Prime Minister, has sparked unease among Alaska’s prominent scientific minds.
The Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant suffered a nuclear disaster in 2011 due to an earthquake and tsunami. Over time, the plant resorted to using seawater to cool the melted reactor and subsequently stored the water in tanks. Japanese authorities, along with Tokyo Electric Power Company and other stakeholders, have sought a resolution for this accumulated water.
Alaska Scientists Express Concerns over Fukushima’s Release of Treated Radioactive Wastewater
According to an Associated Press report, about 1.34 million tons of water, filtered and collected, are currently stored across approximately 1,000 tanks. The Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company maintain that the removal of this water is imperative for the facility’s closure and to preempt potential accidental leaks. The release will be gradual, with a target of releasing 31,200 tons of treated water by March 2024.
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s July report asserted that the environmental and human health impacts of the water release would be negligible.
Japanese authorities ensure that the treated and diluted water will adhere to international safety standards. Nevertheless, concerns persist among some Alaska scientists.
Rick Steiner, a former marine conservation professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, remains wary due to his belief that the Japanese government opted for cost-effective rather than superior water filtration systems. Steiner deems this decision unfortunate and disheartening.
Steiner notes that while the radioactive contaminants in the wastewater might fall below regulatory limits, the issue lies in the evolving definition of “safe.”
He asserts, “Some of the half-lives of these radionuclides that will be coming out are in the thousands of years.” He points out that the radioactive wastewater will be discharged into Circum-Pacific waters over the next few decades, eventually reaching Alaska, California, Hawaii, Mexico, and beyond.
Though Steiner anticipates impacts from the water release, he’s uncertain about the severity. He emphasizes the need for caution and precaution.
Steiner, a marine conservation professor for three decades, highlights that knowledge about radionucleotide toxicity in marine environments is expanding yearly. He emphasizes that these nucleotides can bioaccumulate in marine food webs at lower doses.
Certain elements, such as organically-bound triduum and carbon-14 with a half-life of 5,730 years, raise concerns about long-term circulation and impacts on marine systems.
While some Alaska seafood industry experts like Greg Smith from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute are less concerned about the water’s release, they stress the importance of countering misinformation.
On the other hand, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) maintains a vigilant stance. Kelly Rawalt from the DEC explains that monitoring efforts have been ongoing since the initial Fukushima incident in partnership with organizations like the EPA and FDA.
Alaska Scientists Express Concerns over Fukushima’s Release of Treated Radioactive Wastewater
Rawalt confirms, “At this time, we do not believe there is a risk of contamination from this release.” The DEC plans to continue monitoring Alaskan fish through surveillance sampling, alongside international partners like the World Health Organization, NOAA, FDA, and EPA.
Amid the ongoing debate, the scientific community in Alaska remains attentive to the potential consequences of Fukushima’s treated radioactive water release.