We begin here in Japan. The government has officially decided to release treated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.
Before that happens, the water will be diluted so the concentration of contaminants meets global safety levels.
The plan has been endorsed by the Cabinet.
The decision comes a decade after a massive earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern Japan, triggering a triple meltdown at the power plant.
Water is used to cool molten nuclear fuel. It mixes with rain and groundwater that flows into damaged reactor buildings, amounting to more than 100 tons each day.
That water undergoes a treatment process that removes most radioactive material, but it still contains radioactive tritium.
After that, the treated water is stored. There are about 1,000 tanks, now 90 percent full. The remainder is expected to fill up sometime next year.
Before that happens, the water will be diluted so the concentration of contaminants meets global safety levels.
The plan has been endorsed by the Cabinet.
The decision comes a decade after a massive earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern Japan, triggering a triple meltdown at the power plant.
Water is used to cool molten nuclear fuel. It mixes with rain and groundwater that flows into damaged reactor buildings, amounting to more than 100 tons each day.
That water undergoes a treatment process that removes most radioactive material, but it still contains radioactive tritium.
After that, the treated water is stored. There are about 1,000 tanks, now 90 percent full. The remainder is expected to fill up sometime next year.
◆treated 処理された
◆crippled 損傷した、不能になった physically incapacitated
◆dilute 薄める If a liquid is diluted or dilutes, it is added to or mixes with water or another liquid, and becomes weaker.
◆endorse 承認する、支持する If you endorse someone or something, you say publicly that you support or approve of them
◆trigger 引き起こす If something triggers an event or situation, it causes it to begin to happen or exist.
◆radioactive 放射性の Something that is radioactive contains a substance that produces energy in the form of powerful and harmful rays.
◆radioactive 放射性の Something that is radioactive contains a substance that produces energy in the form of powerful and harmful rays.