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  • #31
    Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

    IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Accident (1 April 2011, 14.30 UTC)
    Presentations:
    → Fukushima - Background Information on Operational Intervention Levels, 1 April 2011 http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/fukus...s-1-april-2011
    → Fukushima Marine Environment Monitoring , 1 April 2011 http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/pres-...ne-brief010411
    → Radiological Monitoring and Consequences of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident , 1 April 2011 http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/radio...-2011-1430-utc
    → Summary of Reactor Status , 1 April 2011 http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/summa...-2011-1300-utc


    On Friday, 1 April 2011, the IAEA provided the following information on the current status of nuclear safety in Japan.

    1.Current Situation

    Overall at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, the situation remains very serious.

    The Unit 1 condenser is full. In preparation for transferring water in the basement of the turbine building to the condenser, water in the condenser storage tank is being transferred to the suppression pool surge tank since 31 March, 03:00 UTC. Water in the trench was transferred to a water tank at the central environmental facility process main building. In order to prepare for removal of the water from the turbine building basement in Unit 2, pumping of water from the condenser to the suppression pool water surge tank started at 07:45 UTC 29 March. For Unit 3 pumping of water from the condenser to suppression pool water surge tank was started at 08:40 UTC March 28 and was completed at 23:37 UTC on 30 March.

    For Unit 1 fresh water has been continuously injected into the Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) through the feed-water line at an indicated flow rate of 8 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with diesel backup. In Unit 2 fresh water is injected continuously through the fire extinguisher line at an indicated rate of 8 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with diesel backup. In Unit 3 fresh water is being injected continuously at about 7 m3/h into the reactor core through the fire extinguisher line using a temporary electric pump with diesel backup.

    The indicated temperatures at the feed water nozzle of the RPV and bottom of RPV on Unit 1 are stable at 256 ?C and 128 ?C respectively. There is a slight decrease in RPV and Drywell pressures. The indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV of Unit 2 is stable at 165 ?C. The temperature at the bottom of the RPV was not reported. Indicated Drywell pressure remains at atmospheric pressure. The indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV in Unit 3 is stable at 101 ?C and at the bottom of RPV is also stable at 112 ?C. Indicated Drywell pressure remains slightly above atmospheric pressure. The validity of the RPV temperature measurement at the feed water nozzle is still under investigation.

    The pumping of water into the Unit 1 Spent Fuel Pool by concrete pumping truck was started at 04:03 UTC on 31 March. Fresh water was sprayed to the spent fuel pool at the Unit 3 by the concrete pump on 31 March and to the spent fuel pool on Unit 4 on the 1st April.

    Units 5 and 6 remain in cold shutdown

    2. Radiation Monitoring

    On 31 March, deposition of iodine-131 was detected by the Japanese authorities in 8 prefectures, and deposition of cesium-137 in 10 prefectures. In these prefectures where deposition of iodine-131 was reported, on 31 March, the range was from 29 to 1350 becquerel per square metre. For caesium-137, the range was from 3.6 to 505 becquerel per square metre. In the Shinjyuku district of Tokyo, the daily deposition for iodine-131 was 50 becquerel per square metre and for cesium-137 it was 68 becquerel per square metre. No significant changes were reported in the 45 prefectures in gamma dose rates compared to yesterday. As of 28 March, recommendations for restrictions on drinking water are in place at two locations in the Fukushima prefecture and restrictions continue to apply for infants only. The IAEA monitoring team made additional measurements at 9 locations West of Fukushima-Daiichi NPP. The measurement locations were at distances of 30 to 58 km from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The dose rates ranged from 0.4 to 2.3 microsievert per hour. At the same locations, results of beta-gamma contamination measurements ranged from 0.01 to 0.49 Megabecquerel per square metre. The other team who had made monitoring measurements in Tokyo during the last week, has finished its activities.

    Since our written briefing of yesterday, significant data related to food contamination was reported on 31 March by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Reported analytical results covered 2 samples taken on 15 March and 109 samples from 27-31 March. Analytical results for 98 of the 111 samples for various vegetables, spinach and other leafy vegetables, fruit (strawberry), seafood, various meats (beef, chicken and pork) and unprocessed raw milk in eight prefectures (Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Niigata, Tochigi, and Tokyo), indicated that iodine-131, caesium-134 and caesium-137 were either not detected or were below the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities. However, it was reported that analytical results in Chiba, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures for the remaining 13 of the total 111 samples for spinach and other leafy vegetables, parsley and beef indicated that iodine-131 and/or caesium-134 and caesium-137 exceeded the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities.

    The following restrictions are in place (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Press Releases 21 and 23 March 2011):

    Fukushima: Distribution and consumption of leafy vegetables (including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kakina, komatsuna and spinach), turnip and unprocessed raw milk. Ibaraki: Distribution of spinach, kakina, parsley and unprocessed raw milk.
    Gunma: Distribution of spinach and kakina.
    Tochigi: Distribution of spinach and kakina.

    The Joint FAO/IAEA Food Safety Assessment Team has completed its mission and presented its report to the Japanese Cabinet Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 31 March. The IAEA members of the Team are returning to Vienna today.

    The Agency, in agreement with the Japanese government, will dispatch two reactor experts to Japan. They will hold meetings with the Nuclear Safety Commission, NISA, TEPCO and other Japanese counterparts from Monday 4 April onwards. The objective of this visit is to exchange views with Japanese technical experts and to get first-hand information about the current status of reactors at Fukushima Daiichi, measures being taken and future plans to mitigate the accident.

    The following countries have provided the monitoring data to the IAEA�s Incident and Emergency Centre � Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland and Singapore.



    Twitter: @RonanKelly13
    The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

    Comment


    • #32
      Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

      IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident (2 April 2011, 12:00 UTC)
      Presentations:
      → Summary of Reactor Status, 2 April 2011, 12.00 UTC http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/summa...ril20111200utc


      On Saturday, 2 April 2011, the IAEA provided the following information on the current status of nuclear safety in Japan:

      1.Current Situation

      Overall at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, the situation remains very serious.

      In preparation for transferring water in the basement of the Unit 1 turbine building to the condenser, water in the condenser storage tank is being transferred to surge tank of the suppression pool since 31 March 03:00 UTC. Water in the trench was transferred to a water tank at the central environmental facility main building. The water level in the trench was reduced by 1 metre to 1.14 metre below the top of the trench on 31 March. On Unit 2 in order to prepare for removal of the water from turbine building basement, pumping of water from the condenser to suppression pool water surge was started 29 March 07:45 UTC and was finished 1 April 02:50 UTC. On Unit 3 in order to prepare for removal of the water from turbine building basement, pumping of water from the condenser to suppression pool water surge was started 28 March 08:40 UTC and completed 30 March 23:37 UTC.

      In a press release on the 2nd April NISA reported the following. Water with dose rate of greater than 1000 millisievert/hr was confirmed by TEPCO at around 00:30 UTC on 2nd April in a pit housing cables located next to the Unit 2 sea water inlet point. There exists a crack on the sidewall of the pit, about 20cm in length, and water inside the pit is confirmed to be leaking directly to the sea. The isotopic analysis of water samples from inside the pit, the sea and near the seawater inlet bar screen filter is in process. Currently a plan to patch the pit with concrete is underway to stop the leakage. An investigation on the leakage path to this pit is on-going and measures to stop leakage to the sea will be implemented.

      Transfer of fresh water from a US Navy barge to the 'filtered water tank' started on 1 April 06:58 UTC, and was suspended on 1 April 07:25 UTC due to a connection failure. A second US Navy barge left Onahama port and planned to arrive 2 April 00:30 UTC.

      On Unit 1 fresh water has been continuously injected into the reactor pressure vessel through the feed-water line at an indicated flow rate of 8 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with diesel backup. The indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV has decreased from 256 ?C to 249 ?C and at the bottom of RPV decreased from 128 ?C to 119 ?C. There was a corresponding decrease in RPV pressure and Drywell pressure.

      Fresh water is injected continuously through fire extinguisher line on Unit 2 at an indicated rate of 9 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with diesel backup. The indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV has decreased from 165 ?C to 161 ?C. The temperature at the bottom of RPV was not reported. Indicated Drywell pressure remains at atmospheric pressure.

      On Unit 3 Fresh water is being injected continuously at an indicated rate of 7 m3/h into the reactor core through the fire extinguisher line using a temporary electric pump with diesel backup. The indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is about 119 ?C and at the bottom of RPV is about 90 ?C.

      Fresh water (90 T) was pumped into the spent fuel pool in Unit 1 using a concrete pumping truck on 31 March. In Unit 2, injection of water into spent fuel pond using the temporary pump was restarted on 1 April 05:56 UTC. Fresh water (180 T) was pumped into the spent fuel pool on Unit 4 using a concrete pumping truck on 1 April.

      Units 5 and 6 remain in cold shutdown with plant systems operating on off-site AC power.

      2. Radiation Monitoring

      On 1 April, deposition of iodine-131 was detected in 7 prefectures ranging from 7 to 74 becquerel per square metre. Deposition of cesium-137 in 9 prefectures was reported on April 1st ranging from 2.9 to 76 becquerel per square metre. Reported gamma dose rates in the 45 prefectures showed no significant changes compared to yesterday.

      The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan informed the IAEA that, because of winter conditions, most cattle, pigs and chickens are presently kept indoors. Animals are primarily fed on stored dried grass, silage and grain that has not been contaminated by the releases from the Fukushima Daiichi NPP.

      On 31 March, NISA reported that among the workers at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, 21workers have received doses exceeding 100 mSv. No worker has received a dose above 250 mSv, which is the dose limit for emergency workers.

      On the 30 March, 180 000 Bq/l of I-131 and 15 000 Bq/l of Cs -137 were detected in the vicinity of the discharge water outlet of Unit 4.

      The data reported for 27th - 30th March indicated that the levels at 30 m from the common discharge point of Units 5 and 6 were relatively constant at 45 000 - 55 000 Bq/l for I-131 and 10 000 - 15 000 Bq/l for Cs-137.

      In addition to the 8 sampling points 30 km from the coast two additional monitoring stations were added in the South, 10km and 20 km from shore. The values reported for 28 and 30 March indicate a non-uniform distribution and trend.



      Twitter: @RonanKelly13
      The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

      Comment


      • #33
        Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

        IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident (3 April 2011, 12:00 UTC)
        Presentations:
        → Summary of Reactor Status, 3 April 2011, 12.00 UTC http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/summa...-2011-0600-utc


        On Sunday, 3 April 2011, the IAEA provided the following information on the current status of nuclear safety in Japan:

        1.Current Situation at the plant

        Overall at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, the situation remains very serious.

        On 2nd April, transferring of water from the Unit 1 condenser storage tank to the surge tank of the suppression pool was completed in preparation for transferring water in the basement of the Unit 1 turbine building to the condenser. Also on the 2nd April Transferring of water from the Unit 2 condenser storage tank to the surge tank of the suppression pool was started in preparation for transferring water in the basement of the Unit 1 turbine building to the condenser.

        A second US Navy barge arrived on 2nd April carrying fresh water to be transferred to the 'filtered water tank'.

        TEPCO has identified a possible leakage path from the Turbine building of Unit 2 to the sea via a series of trenches/tunnels used to provide power to the sea water intake pumps and supply of service water to the reactor and turbine buildings. As of 2nd April 07:25 UTC the pouring of concrete was started in an attempt to stop the water leakage. As of 2nd April 10:15 UTC, pouring of concrete had ceased and no significant decrease in the rate of leakage was observed. There is a plan to inject polymer to attempt to stop the leakage. TEPCO announced on 2nd April that, following the detection of highly contaminated water leaking through a crack found in a pit near Unit 2, they had added 3 additional sampling points at 15km from Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daiini.

        Fresh water has been continuously injected into the Reactor Pressure Vessel of Unit 1 through the feed-water line at an indicated flow rate of 8 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with diesel backup. Fresh water is being injected continuously into the RPVs in Units 2 and 3 at indicated rates of 9 m3/h and 7 m3/h respectively through the fire extinguisher lines using temporary electric pumps with diesel backup.

        In Unit 1 the indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is relatively stable at 259?C and at the bottom of RPV at 117?C. The RPV pressure indications are fluctuating and Drywell pressure is slightly decreasing. In Unit 2 the indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV has decreased slightly from 161?C to 153?C. The temperature at the bottom of RPV was not reported. Indicated Drywell pressure remains at atmospheric pressure. The indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV in Unit 3 is stable at 118?C and at the bottom of the RPV is about 92?C. The validity of the RPV temperature measurement at the feed water nozzle is still under investigation.

        Injection of water into the spent fuel pool in Unit 2 using the temporary pump was restarted on 1st April.

        Units 5 and 6

        Both units remain in cold shutdown with plant systems operating on off-site AC power.

        Common Spent Fuel Storage Facility

        The Common Spent Fuel Pool temperature is stable. TEPCO tested an 'anti-scattering' agent (2000 l) on 500 m2 area around the Common Spent Fuel Storage facility on 1st April. The purpose of spraying is to prevent radioactive particles from being dispersed from the plant by winds and rain.

        2. Radiation Monitoring

        On 2nd April, deposition of iodine-131 was detected in 7 prefectures ranging from 4 to 95 becquerel per square metre. Deposition of cesium-137 in 6 prefectures was reported on 2nd April ranging from 15 to 47 becquerel per square metre. Reported gamma dose rates in the 45 prefectures showed no significant changes compared to yesterday.

        Most of the previously imposed recommendations for restrictions on drinking water have been lifted. As of 2nd April, one recommendation for the restriction based on iodine-131 concentration was in place in one village in the Fukushima prefecture, which applied for infants only. Meanwhile, also in this village, the iodine-131 level in drinking water has dropped below 100 becquerel per litre, which is the recommended restriction level for intake by infants. The restriction is still in place as a precautionary measure of the local authority.

        Currently, one IAEA monitoring team is working in the Fukushima region. On 2 April, measurements were made at 7 locations at distances of 32 to 62 km, North and Northwest to the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The dose rates ranged from 0.6 to 4.5 microsievert per hour. At the same locations, results of beta-gamma contamination measurements ranged from 0.09 to 0.46 megabecquerel per square metre.

        3. BWR experts

        The two agency experts in BWR technology have arrived in Japan. The objective of this expert visit is to have a direct exchange of views with the Japanese counterparts.

        4. TEPCO Employees

        TEPCO had been investigating two employees who had been missing since the earthquake of 11th March. On 2nd April NISA reported that on the afternoon of 30th March the two employees were found dead in the -1 Level of the Turbine Building of Unit 4.



        Twitter: @RonanKelly13
        The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

        Comment


        • #34
          Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

          Fukushima Nuclear Accident Update (3 April 2011, 17:15 UTC)
          Japanese authorities today informed the IAEA of the following developments at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant:

          In Units 1, 2 and 3, external power supply is now being used to power the pumps that are injecting fresh water into the reactors, thus replacing temporary electrical pumps.

          The switch to external power supply occurred on 3 April at:

          03:02 UTC (12:02 Japan time) for Unit 1.
          03:12 UTC (12:12 Japan time) for Unit 2.
          03:18 UTC (12:18 Japan time) for Unit 3.

          Some lighting has been reactivated in the turbine buildings of Units 1, 2, 3 and 4.

          Twitter: @RonanKelly13
          The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

          Comment


          • #35
            Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

            IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident (4 April 2011, 12:15 UTC)
            Presentation:
            → Summary of Reactor Status
            Summary of Reactor Unit Status at 04 April 2011 - 0500 UTC - Download as a PDF or view online for free


            On Monday, 4 April 2011, the IAEA provided the following information on the current status of nuclear safety in Japan:

            1. Current Situation

            Power supply to the temporary electric pumps for water supply to the Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPV) of Units 1, 2 and 3 was switched from the temporary mobile power supply to the off-site power supply on 3 April.

            Lighting in a part of Units 1 - 4 Turbine Building was restored on 2 April.

            On 2 April, transferring of water from the Unit 1 condenser storage tank to the surge tank of the suppression pool was completed in preparation for transferring water in the basement of the Unit 1 turbine building to the condenser. Also on 2 April, transferring of water from the Unit 2 condenser to the condenser storage tank was started in preparation for transferring water in the basement of the Unit 1 turbine building to the condenser.

            A second US Navy barge arrived on 2 April carrying fresh water that is being transferred to the first barge which is pumping water to the "filtered water tank".

            TEPCO has identified a possible leakage path from the Turbine Building of Unit 2 to the sea via a series of trenches/tunnels used to provide power to the sea water intake pumps and supply of service water to the reactor and turbine buildings. Initial attempts on 2 April to stop the leak, by pouring concrete into the pit, were not successful. On 3 April, the top of the trench was broken open and polymer was poured into the trench in an attempt to stop the leakage of water to the sea through the pit, but leakage has not stopped as of 00:00 UTC on 4 April.

            NISA have advised the IAEA that TEPCO have been given permission by the Government of Japan to discharge 10 000 ton of low level contaminated water from their radioactive waste treatment facility to the sea. This is in order to have sufficient capacity to store highly contaminated water found in the basement of the Unit 2 Turbine Building.

            In addition TEPCO will discharge 1 500 ton of low level contaminated water in the sub-drain pit for Units 5 and 6 to prevent the water in the pit from leaking into the reactor buildings and potentially damaging safety-related equipment.

            TEPCO has estimated that the potential additional annual dose to a member of the public would be approximately 0.6 millisieverts (mSv), if they ate seaweed and seafood caught, from near the plant, every day for a year.

            As of 07:00 UTC, 4 April the discharge had not yet commenced. The IAEA have asked NISA for additional information.

            In Unit 1 fresh water has been continuously injected into the reactor pressure vessel through the feed-water line at an indicated flow rate of 6 m3/h using off-site power. In Unit 2 and Unit 3 fresh water is being injected continuously into the reactor pressure vessels through the fire extinguisher line indicated rates of 8 m3/h and 7 m3/h respectively using off-site power.

            In Unit 1 the indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV decreased from 253 ?C to 243 ?C and at the bottom of RPV it was stable at 113 ?C. The RPV pressure indications are fluctuating and Drywell pressure is slightly increasing. The reliability of RPV pressure indications is in question. In Unit 2 the indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV has decreased from 153 ?C to 140 ?C. The temperature at the bottom of RPV was not reported. Indicated Drywell pressure remains at atmospheric pressure. In Unit 3 the indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is stable at 114 ?C and at the bottom of RPV is about 90 ?C. The validity of the RPV temperature measurement at the feed water nozzle is still under investigation.

            70 T of water was injected via the Spent Fuel Cooling System line to the spent fuel pool In Unit 2 by a temporary pump on 1 April. There has been no change in status in Units 4, 5 and 6. The temperature in the Common Spent Fuel Storage Facility was 32 ?C at 23:10 UTC on 2 April.

            2. Radiation Monitoring

            Gamma dose rates are monitored in all prefectures continuously. Since 23 March, reported gamma dose rates in the 45 prefectures have decreased.

            On 4 April the IAEA monitoring team made measurements at 7 locations at distances of 30 to 41 km South and Southwest of the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The dose rates ranged from 0.7 to 12.5 microsievert per hour. At the same locations, results of beta-gamma contamination measurements ranged from 0.1 to 2.0 megabecquerel per square metre.

            Since our written briefing of 1 April 2011, significant data related to food contamination was reported on 1 April (33 samples), 2 April (64 samples) and 3 April (37 samples) by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. These reported analytical results covered a total of 134 samples taken on 15 March (2 samples), 29 - 31 March (77 samples) and 1 - 2 April (55 samples). Analytical results for 133 of the 134 samples for various vegetables, spinach and other leafy vegetables, mushrooms, fruit (strawberries), various meats (beef and pork), seafood and unprocessed raw milk in twelve prefectures (Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Kyoto, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tchigi, Tochigi and Tokyo), indicated that iodine-131, caesium-134 and/or caesium-137 were either not detected or were below the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities. One sample of shiitake mushrooms taken on 1 April in Fukushima prefecture was above the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities for both iodine-131 and caesium-134/caesium-137.

            Seawater is monitored by TEPCO near the discharge points of Daiichi and Daiini plants. For Daiichi Units 1 - 4, seawater is monitored 330 m south of the common discharge point; for Daiichi Units 5 and 6 seawater is sampled 30 m south of the common discharge point. On 1 April an additional 3 points at 15 km from these sites were added following the discovery of highly contaminated water leaking into the sea from the pit near Unit 2.

            IAEA Activities

            The two Agency experts in BWR technology have arrived in Japan. The objective of this expert visit is to have a direct exchange of views with the Japanese counterparts. They met with officials of NISA, TEPCO, the Japanese Atomic Energy Commission and the Nuclear Safety Commission. They will also visit the off-site emergency response center and possibly visit the Fukushima Daiichi site.

            The marine expert from the IAEA Environment Laboratories Monaco travelled to Japan to observe and provide advice on the collection and analysis of seawater samples. He was embarked to the Research Vessel MIRAI on 2 April and was on board until the morning of 4 April.


            Twitter: @RonanKelly13
            The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

            Comment


            • #36
              Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

              Fukushima Nuclear Accident Update (6 April 2011, 15:15 UTC)
              Japanese authorities have informed the IAEA that TEPCO has been authorized to begin injection of nitrogen into the primary containment vessel (PCV) of Unit 1 at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Injection of nitrogen is intended to displace oxygen inside the containment vessel, thereby reducing a risk of explosion due to the combustible combination of hydrogen and oxygen.

              IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident (6 April 2011, 14:00 UTC)
              Presentation:
              → Summary of Reactor Status http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/summa...-2011-0500-utc

              On Wednesday, 6 April 2011, the IAEA provided the following information on the current status of nuclear safety in Japan:

              1. Current Situation

              Overall, the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains very serious.

              TEPCO has identified a possible leakage path from the Turbine building of Unit 2 to the sea via a series of trenches/tunnels used to provide power to the sea water intake pumps and supply of service water to the reactor and turbine buildings. On 4 April, a tracer was used in an attempt to determine where the water was coming from. The tracer was also injected into two new bore holes that had been drilled near the pit. On 5 April it was confirmed that the tracer was seen leaking from the crack into the sea. Coagulation agents (liquid glass) were injected into the holes drilled around the pits to block leakage of water. It was reported that the leakage has currently stopped at 20:38 UTC on 5 April. Work continues to prevent further releases to the sea.

              According to the TEPCO Press Release of 4 April, approximately 10 000 T of water from the radioactive waste treatment plant and 1 500 T of subsurface waters stored in the sub drain pits of Unit 5 and 6 are being discharged to the sea to provide room to store water with higher levels of radioactivity in a safer manner. The discharges started at 10:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC respectively on 4 April. TEPCO has estimated that these discharges would increase the effective dose to a member of the public by 0.6 mSv, if he/she were to eat seaweed and seafood from the discharge area every day for a year. It should be noted however that the movements of all ships, including fishing boats, are restricted within a 30km zone from the NPP, based on the hazardous area set by the Maritime Safety Agency. Also, Fukushima prefecture reported that no fishing has started beyond a 30km zone from the NPP in this prefecture.

              In Unit 1 fresh water is being continuously injected into the reactor pressure vessel through feed-water line at an indicated flow rate of 6 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with off-site power. Fresh water is being injected continuously into the RPVs through the fire extinguisher lines in Units 2 and 3 at indicated rates of 8 m3/h and 7 m3/h respectively using a temporary electric pump with off-site power.

              In Unit 1 the indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV decreased from 234 ?C to 222 ?C and at the bottom of RPV stable at 115 ?C. Instrumentation "B" for Reactor Pressure indicates that the pressure in the RPV is increasing and instrumentation "A" indicates that it has stabilized. NISA has indicated that some instruments in the reactor vessel may not be working properly. Drywell pressure is stable. In Unit 2 the indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is stable at 141 ?C. The temperature at the bottom of RPV was not reported. Indicated Drywell pressure remains at atmospheric pressure. The indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV in Unit 3 is stable at 85 ?C and at the bottom of the RPV is about 115 ?C.

              Additional water was injected via Spent Fuel Cooling System line to the spent fuel pool in Unit 2 by a temporary pump on 4 April.

              Power is available to instrumentation in Unit 3.

              There has been no change in status on Units 4, 5, 6 and the Common Spent Fuel Storage Facility.

              2. Radiation Monitoring

              On 5 April, low levels of deposition of both iodine-131 and cesium-137 were detected in 5 and 7 prefectures respectively. The values for iodine-131 ranged from 12 to 70, for cesium-137 from 3.6 to 41 becquerel per square metre.

              Gamma dose rates reported for 6 April showed no significant changes compared to yesterday. Since 23 March, values have tended to decrease. Gamma dose rates were reported for 45 prefectures to be between 0.02 to 0.1 microsievert per hour. In one prefecture the gamma dose rate was 0.16 microsievert per hour. These values are within or slightly above the natural background of 0.1 microsievert per hour.

              As of 4 April, iodine-131 and cesium-134/137 was detectable in drinking water in a few prefectures. All values were far below levels that would initiate recommendations for restrictions of drinking water. As of 6 April, one restriction for infants related to I-131 (100 Bq/l) remains in place as a precautionary measure in only one village of the Fukushima prefecture.

              On 6 April the IAEA monitoring team made measurements at 7 locations at distances of 23 to 39 km South and Southwest of the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The dose rates ranged from 0.04 to 2.2 microsievert per hour. At the same locations, results of beta-gamma contamination measurements ranged from 0.03 to 0.36 megabecquerel per square metre.

              Since our written briefing of yesterday, data related to food contamination was reported on 5 April by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. These reported analytical results covered a total of 41 samples taken on 24 March (1 sample), 30 March (1 sample), 1 April (1 sample), 2 April (9 samples) and 4 April (29 samples). Analytical results for 40 of the 41 samples for various vegetables, spinach and other leafy vegetables, fruit (strawberries), chicken, poultry eggs, unprocessed raw milk and seafood in eight prefectures (Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Niigata, Saitama and Tokyo) indicated that iodine-131, caesium-134 and/or caesium-137 were either not detected or were below the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities. One sample of seafood (sand lance) taken on 4 April (offshore) in Ibaraki prefecture was above the regulation value set by the Japanese authorities for caesium-134/caesium-137.

              TEPCO is responsible for near-shore sampling, taking samples of surface seawater. The near shore sampling point for Daiichi Units 1 - 4 is located 330 m south of their common discharge point. The near-shore sampling point for Daiichi Units 5 and 6 is located 30 m north of their common discharge point.

              Samples near discharge areas are collected daily. Until 3 April a general decreasing trend was observed. However, after the discharge of contaminated water at 4 April, an increase from about 11 kBq/l at 09:00 UTC to 41 kBq/l at 14:00 UTC for I-131, and from 5.1 kBq/l at 09:00 UTC to 19 kBq/l for both, Cs-134 and Cs-137 at 14:00 UTC was detected.

              There were no new data for off shore monitoring compared to yesterday's briefing.

              3. IAEA Activities

              The two agency experts in BWR technology in Japan are continuing their mission and will be joined by a third agency expert to have additional meetings with TEPCO at the end of the week. The marine expert from the IAEA Environment Laboratories Monaco, who joined the sampling campaign on the research vessel MARAI, returns to Vienna today.

              Fukushima Nuclear Accident Update (6 April 2011, 08:15 UTC)
              Leakage of Highly Contaminated Water into Sea

              According to Japanese authorities, the leak of highly contaminated water from the cable storage pit located next to the Unit 2 inlet point at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has stopped as of 20:38 UTC on 5 April.

              Workers had employed measures to stop the flow of water directly to the sea since 2 April, when the leak was first observed.

              On April 2, concrete was poured into the pit in an attempt to stop the water leakage to the ocean, but no significant decrease in leakage was observed.

              From 4:47 UTC to 5:30 UTC on 3 April, the top of the trench was broken open and polymer was poured into the trench to stop the leakage of water, but this measure was not successful.

              Approximately 13 kg of liquid tracer was injected into the pit at 22:08 UTC, 3 April. The tracer was also injected into two new bore holes that had been drilled near the pit.

              At 4:15 UTC, 5 April it was confirmed that the tracer was seen leaking from the crack into the sea.

              At 6:07 UTC, 5 April coagulation agents (liquid glass) were injected into the holes drilled around the pits. The leakage was reported to have ceased at 20:38 UTC on April 5. Work continues to prevent further releases to the sea.

              The photographs below represent the status of leakage before and after:


              ...

              Twitter: @RonanKelly13
              The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

              Comment


              • #37
                Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

                IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident (7 April 2011, 18:00 UTC)
                Presentation:
                → Summary of Reactor Status http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/table...7april0700-utc
                → Radiological Monitoring and Consequences http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/7th-april-rad-pres
                → Status of Fukushima Units http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/7-april-tech-pres
                → Marine Environment Monitoring http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/7-april-marine-pres

                1. Current Situation

                Overall, the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains very serious although there are early signs of recovery in some functions such as electrical power and instrumentation.

                On 6th April it was reported that the leakage of water from the sidewall of the pit closest to the sea has stopped after coagulation agents (liquid glass) were injected into the holes drilled around the pits. Work continues to prevent further releases to the sea.

                According to the TEPCO Press Release of 4th April, approximately 10,000 T of water from the radioactive waste treatment plant and 1,500 T of subsurface waters stored in the sub drain pits of Unit 5 and 6 are being discharged to the sea to provide room to store water with higher levels of radioactivity in a safer manner. TEPCO has estimated that these discharges would increase the effective dose to a member of the public by 0.6 mSv, if he/she were to eat seaweed and seafood from 1 km from the discharge point every day for a year. It should be noted however that the movements of all ships, including fishing boats, are restricted within a 30km zone from the NPP.

                In Unit 1 fresh water is being continuously injected into the reactor pressure vessel through the feed-water line at an indicated flow rate of 6 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with off-site power. Fresh water is being injected continuously into the RPVs through the fire extinguisher lines in Units 2 and 3 at indicated rates of 8 m3/h and 7 m3/h respectively using a temporary electric pump with off-site power.

                As of 6th April, TEPCO started injecting nitrogen gas to Unit 1 containment vessel to provide an inerted atmosphere to reduce the possibility of hydrogen combustion within the containment vessel.

                On Unit 1 the indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 224? and at the bottom of RPV it is 117?. Instrumentation ?B? for Reactor Pressure indicates that the pressure in the RPV is increasing and instrumentation ?A? indicates that it has stabilized. NISA has indicated that some instruments in the reactor vessel may not be working properly. Drywell pressure has increased slightly due to the injection of nitrogen. In Unit 2 the indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is stable at 143?. The temperature at the bottom of RPV was not reported. Indicated Drywell pressure remains at atmospheric pressure. The indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV in Unit 3 is 88? and at the bottom of RPV is about 115?.

                Additional water was injected via the Spent Fuel Cooling System line to the spent fuel pool by a temporary pump on 4th April.

                There has been no change in status on Units 4, 5, 6 and the Common Spent Fuel Storage Facility

                2. Radiation monitoring

                On 6th April, low levels of deposition of both I-131 and Cs-137 were detected in 4 and 6 prefectures respectively. The values reported for I-131 ranged from 3.4 to 10 becquerels per square metre, for Cs-137 from 4.9 to 19 becquerels per square metre. Gamma dose rates continue decreasing . There is no significant change in gamma dose rates reported for 6th April compared to yesterday.

                As of 5th April, I-131 and Cs-134/137 was detectable in drinking water in a small number of prefectures. All values were well below levels that would initiate recommendations for restrictions of drinking water. As of 6th April, one restriction for infants related to I-131 (100 Bq/l) is in place as a precautionary measure in only one village of the Fukushima prefecture.

                TEPCO is responsible for near-shore sampling, taking samples of surface seawater. Samples near discharge areas are collected daily. Until 3rd April a general decreasing trend was observed. However, after the discharge of contaminated water at 4th April, an increase from about 11 kBq/l as measured at 09:00 to 41 kBq/l at 14:00 for I-131; from 5.1 kBq/l at 09:00 to 19 kBq/l for both, Cs-134 and Cs-137 at 14:00 was recorded. On the 5th April a decrease was observed as compared to the previous day, with seawater concentration of 5 kBq/l for Cs-137 and 11 kBq/l for I-131.

                Since 4th April TEPCO added 3 new sampling points 15 km offshore, in addition to the already established 3 sampling points at the same distance, this resulting in a total of 6 sampling points situated along a north-south transect at a distance of 15 km from the coast.

                Levels of radionuclides reported at these l?ations for the 5th of April are in the range 57 - 200 Bq/l for I-131, 18 - 310 Bq/l for Cs-134 and 18 - 320 Bq/l for Cs-137.

                There were no new data for 30 km off shore monitoring, carried out under the responsibility of MEXT, compared to yesterday?s briefing.

                On 6th April the marine expert from the IAEA Environment Laboratories Monaco completed his mission in Japan. From the 2nd to 4th April he embarked on the research vessel MIRAI to observe the sampling conducted 30 km offshore. He visited the JAEA laboratory in Tokai where the gamma spectrometric analyses are performed. He briefed representatives of the Japanese Government

                Since our written briefing of yesterday, data related to food contamination were reported on 6th April by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. These reported analytical results covered a total of 78 samples taken on 3rd April (2 samples), 4th April (39 samples), 5th April (35 samples) and 6th April (2 samples). Analytical results for 52 of the 78 samples for various vegetables, spinach and other leafy vegetables, fruit (strawberry) and unpr?essed raw milk in eight prefectures (Fukushima, Gunma, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Niigata, Saitama and Yamagata) indicated that I-131, Cs-134 and/or Cs-137 were either not detected or were below the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities. However, it was reported that analytical results for 26 of the total 41 samples taken in Fukushima prefecture for various vegetables, spinach and other leafy vegetables indicated that I-131 and/or Cs-134/Cs-137 exceeded the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities.

                On 5th April, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued a press release indicating that a new provisional regulation value was set for I-131 at a limit of 2000 Bq/kg in fishery products.

                As of 4th April, food restrictions (distribution and/or consumption) are in place in four prefectures (Fukushima, Ibaraki, T?higi, and Gunma) and in certain l?ations in Chiba prefecture (Katori City, Tako Town and Asahi City).

                In Fukushima, there are restrictions on the consumption of leafy vegetables, headed and non-headed leafy vegetables (e.g. spinach, komatsuna, cabbage), and flower-headed brassicas (br?coli, cauliflower). There are also restrictions on the distribution of headed and non-headed leafy vegetables, flower-headed brassicas (including turnips), spinach, kakina and unpr?essed raw milk produced in the prefecture.

                In Ibaraki, there are restrictions on the distribution of unpr?essed raw milk, parsley, spinach and kakina produced in the prefecture.

                In Chiba, there are restrictions on the distribution of spinach produced in Katori City and Tako Town. There are also restrictions on the distribution of spinach, chingensai, shungiku, sanchu, celery and parsley produced in Asahi City.

                In Gunma and T?higi, there are restrictions on the distribution of spinach and kakina produced in these prefectures.

                3. IAEA Activities

                The two agency experts in BWR technology are in Japan to have a direct exchange of views with the Japanese counterparts. They met with officials of NISA, TEPCO, the Japanese Atomic Energy Commission and the Nuclear Safety Commission. They visited the off-site emergency response center and the Fukushima Daiichi site. A third agency expert will join the team in Tokyo to have follow-up meetings with TEPCO and NISA at the end of the week.

                The following countries have submitted monitoring data and/or links to national websites where data is available: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Finland, France, Greece, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

                Twitter: @RonanKelly13
                The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

                Comment


                • #38
                  Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

                  IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident (8 April 2011, 15:00 UTC)
                  Presentation:
                  → Summary of Reactor Status http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/summa...-2011-0700-utc

                  On Friday, 8 April 2011, the IAEA provided the following information on the current status of nuclear safety in Japan:

                  1. Earthquake of 7 April

                  The IAEA confirms that an earthquake occurred in Japan at 14:32 UTC, 7 April. The IAEA International Seismic Safety Centre has rated it as a 7.1 magnitude, revised from an initial 7.4 magnitude. The epicenter of the earthquake was 20 km from the Onagawa nuclear power plant and approximately 120 km from the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants.

                  The IAEA has been in contact with NISA and can confirm the status of the following nuclear facilities:

                  Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

                  No changes have been observed at the on-site radiation monitoring posts. The injection of water into the reactor pressure vessels of Units 1, 2 and 3 was not interrupted.

                  Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant

                  No changes have been observed of the readings at the on-site radiation monitoring posts.

                  Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant

                  All reactors have been in cold shutdown since 11 March earthquake.

                  Two out of the three lines supplying off-site power to the site were lost following the 7 April earthquake. Off-site power continues to be supplied through the third line.

                  Cooling of the spent fuel pool was temporarily lost, but has subsequently been restored.

                  No change has been observed in the readings from the on-site radiation monitoring post. The status of the plant is currently being checked.

                  Tokai Daini Nuclear Power Plant

                  Tokai Daini nuclear power plant remains in cold shutdown since the 11 March earthquake. No abnormality has been observed.

                  Higashidori Nuclear Power Plant

                  The Higashidori nuclear power plant was shut down and in a maintenance outage at the time of the 7 April earthquake. Off-site power was lost temporarily. Emergency power supply to the site operated as expected until off-site power was restored. All the fuel had been removed from the reactor core and stored in the spent fuel pool. Cooling of the spent fuel pool is operational.

                  Tomari Nuclear Power Plant (in Hokkaido)

                  At the time of the 7 April earthquake Tomari Unit 1 and Unit 2 were in operation. Following the 7 April earthquake, the Hokkaido Electric Power Company reduced the generating power to 90% of capacity.

                  Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant

                  The Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant and uranium enrichment facility lost off-site power. Emergency power supply to the site is operating.

                  2. Current Situation

                  Overall, the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains very serious although there are early signs of recovery in some functions such as electrical power and instrumentation.

                  As of 6 April, TEPCO started injecting nitrogen gas to Unit 1 containment vessel to reduce the possibility of hydrogen combustion within the containment vessel.

                  The leakage of highly contaminated water from the 20 cm crack in the cable storage pit of Unit 2 directly to the sea reported on 2 April was stopped by injection of coagulation agents (liquid glass) on 5 April. Additional activities to secure the leak were reported finished on 6 April.

                  To prevent discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Plant to the open sea, construction work was carried out at the breakwater in the southern part of the Plant on 5 April.

                  In Unit 1 fresh water has been continuously injected into the reactor pressure vessel through feed-water line at an indicated flow rate of 6 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with off-site power. In Units 2 and 3 fresh water is being injected into the reactor pressure vessels continuously through the fire extinguisher lines at indicated rates of 8 m3/h and 7 m3/h using temporary electric pumps with off-site power.

                  The reactor pressure vessels' temperatures remain above cold shutdown conditions (normally less than 95 ?C). In Unit 1 indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 224 ?C and at the bottom of RPV is 117 ?C. The pressure in the RPV is increasing as indicated on both channels of instrumentation. NISA has indicated that some instruments in the reactor vessel may not be working properly. Drywell pressure is increasing slightly due to the addition of nitrogen. In Unit 2 the indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 144 ?C. The temperature at the bottom of RPV was not reported. Indicated Drywell pressure remains at atmospheric pressure. In Unit 3 the indicated temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 88 ?C and at the bottom of RPV is 112 ?C. Fresh water was sprayed onto the spent fuel pool by concrete pump vehicle (50t/h) from 21:53 UTC, 6 April.

                  No change in status in Units 4, 5 and 6 and the Common Spent Fuel Storage Facility.

                  2. Radiation Monitoring

                  On 7 April, low levels of deposition of both iodine-131 and cesium-137 were detected in 5 and 4 prefectures respectively. The values reported for iodine-131 ranged from 3.8 to 20 becquerel per square metre, for cesium-137 from 9.7 to 25 becquerel per square metre.

                  Gamma dose rates continue to decrease. For Fukushima, on 7 April a dose rate of 2.3 ?Sv/h, for the Ibaraki prefecture a gamma dose rate of 0.16 ?Sv/h was reported. Dose rates reported for the Eastern part of the Fukushima prefecture, for distances of more than 30 km to Fukushima-Daiichi, range from 0.2 to 28 ?Sv/h.

                  As part of a new measurement program carried out by MEXT in cooperation with universities, gamma dose rates have also been measured in 26 cities in 13 prefectures for the period 5 to 7 April. In 19 cities, all measurements are below 0.1?Sv/h. In a further five cities, some measurements are up to 0.21?Sv/h. In the city of Tsukuba in the prefecture of Ibaraki, dose rates are in the range 0.17 to 0.2 0 ?Sv/h. In Fukushima City, the range is 0.42 to 0.5 ?Sv/h. typical normal background levels are in the range 0.05 to 0.1 ?Sv/h.

                  As of 6 April, iodine-131 and cesium-137 was detectable in drinking water in a few prefectures at levels far below those that would initiate recommendations for restrictions of drinking water. As of 7 April, one restriction for infants related to I-131 (100 Bq/l) remains in place as a precautionary measure in only one village of the Fukushima prefecture.

                  Since our written briefing of yesterday, data related to food contamination was reported on 7 April by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. These reported analytical results covered a total of 63 samples taken from 5 - 7 April. Analytical results for 62 of the 63 samples for various vegetables, spinach and other leafy vegetables, various meats, unprocessed raw milk and seafood in nine prefectures (Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Niigata, Tochigi and Yamagata) indicated that I-131, Cs-134 and/or Cs-137 were either not detected or were below the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities. One sample of spinach (grown outdoors) taken on 6 April in Ibaraki prefecture was above the regulation value set by the Japanese authorities for I-131.

                  TEPCO is conducting a programme for seawater (surface sampling) at a number of near-shore and off-shore monitoring locations. The near-shore sampling point for Daiichi Units 1 - 4 is located 330 m south of their common discharge point. The near-shore sampling point for Daiichi Units 5 and 6 is located 30 m north of their common discharge point.

                  Until 3 April a general decreasing trend was observed at these sampling points. After the discharge of contaminated water on 4 April, a temporary increase has been reported. On 5 April a decrease was again observed at these points.

                  At the Daini site, near-shore samples are being collected at two locations: directly north of the common discharge point of Daini, and close to Iwasawa Beach, which is south of Daini nuclear power plant. The latter monitoring point is 16 km south of Daiichi nuclear power plant on the northern boundary of TEPCO's Hirono thermal power plant. Starting from 2 April, TEPCO collected samples at three additional sampling points lying on a north-south transect that runs parallel to the coast but at a distance of 15 km from the shore. On 4 April, a further set of three sampling points, also at 15 km from the shore, was added. All six sampling locations lie along a north-south transect.

                  Since 5 April TEPCO is sampling daily at 6 points situated 15 km offshore along a north-south transect. Levels of radionuclides reported at these locations for 5 of April are in the range 57 - 200 Bq/l for I-131, 57 - 310 Bq/l for Cs-134 and 18 - 320 Bq/l for Cs-137. Values of Cs-134 and Cs-137 measured at the sampling points situated at the North and South ends of the transect are considerably lower than those measured at the stations directly offshore from the release points.

                  MEXT initiated the off-shore monitoring program on 23 March. Initially, the monitoring was carried out at 8 points lying on a north-south transect parallel to the coast and 30 km off-shore. Sampling points 1 to 8 are separated by about 10 km. On 28 March, points 9 and 10 were added to the off-shore sampling scheme. Points 8, 9 and 10 lie in one line perpendicular to the coast. Points 8 to 10 are also separated by 10 km. On 4 of April MEXT added two sampling points to the north-west of sampling point 1. These are referred as point A and B. Monitoring at off-shore points consist of:

                  Measurements of ambient dose rate in air;
                  Collection and analysis of surface sample of seawater; and
                  Collection and analysis of samples of sea water collected 10 metres above the sea water bottom.
                  On 8 April the only data reported concerned the 15 km offshore north-south transect.

                  4. IAEA Activities

                  A team of three Agency experts in BWR technology continue to meet with TEPCO and NISA officials in Tokyo and are expected to be back in Vienna on 13 April 2011.

                  In addition to those reported in previous briefs the following countries have submitted monitoring data and/or links to national websites where data is available: Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico and Portugal.


                  Twitter: @RonanKelly13
                  The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

                    IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident (9 April 2011, 15:00 UTC)
                    Presentation:
                    → Summary of Reactor Status http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/summa...t-09-april2011

                    On Saturday, 9 April 2011, the IAEA provided the following information on the current status of nuclear safety in Japan:

                    1. Current Situation

                    Earthquake of 7 April

                    The IAEA confirms that an earthquake occurred in Japan at 14:32 UTC 7th April. The IAEA International Seismic Safety Centre has rated it as a 7.1 magnitude, revised from an initial 7.4 magnitude. The epicenter of the earthquake was 20 km from the Onagawa nuclear power plant and approximately 120 km from the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants. With the recovery of external power at the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant, all sites reported on yesterday have external power.

                    Changes to Fukushima Daiichi Plant Status

                    In Units 1, 2 and 3, 60,000 tons of contaminated water need to be removed from the turbine buildings and trenches. This water will be transferred to the condensers of each unit and the Radioactive Waste Treatment facility. In addition, temporary storage tanks have been ordered to provide additional capacity for the water and will be located adjacent to the Radioactive Waste Treatment facility.

                    Nitrogen gas is continuing to be injected into the Unit 1 containment vessel to reduce the possibility of hydrogen combustion within the containment vessel. The pressure in this containment vessel is increasing due to the addition of nitrogen.

                    In Unit 1 fresh water is being continuously injected into the reactor pressure vessel through feed-water line at an indicated flow rate of 6 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with off-site power. In Units 2 and 3 fresh water is being continuously injected through the fire extinguisher lines at indicated rates of 8 m3/h and 7 m3/h respectively using temporary electric pumps with off-site power.

                    In Unit 1 the pressure in the RPV is increasing as indicated on both channels of instrumentation. NISA has indicated that some instruments in the reactor vessel may not be working properly. In Units 2 and 3 Reactor Pressure Vessel and Drywell pressures remain at atmospheric pressure.

                    RPV temperatures remain above cold shutdown conditions, typically less than 95 ?C. In Unit 1 temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 246 ?C and at the bottom of the RPV is 119 ?C. In Unit 2 the temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 141 ?C. The temperature at the bottom of the RPV was not reported. In Unit 3 the temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 89 ?C and at the bottom of the RPV is 110 ?C.

                    The concrete pump vehicle continued to spray fresh water to the spent fuel pool in Unit 3 on 8 April.

                    There has been no change in status in Units 4, 5 and 6 and the Common Spent Fuel Storage Facility

                    2. Radiation monitoring

                    On 8th April, low levels of deposition of both iodine-131 and cesium-137 were detected in 10 and 7 prefectures respectively. The values reported for iodine-131 ranged from 1 to 46 becquerel per square metre, for cesium-137 from 5 to 42 becquerel per square metre.

                    Gamma dose rates are measured daily in all 47 prefectures and the values continue to decrease. For Fukushima, on 8th April a dose rate of 2.3 ?Sv/h, for the Ibaraki prefecture a gamma dose rate of 0.15 ?Sv/h were reported. The gamma dose rates reported for the other 45 prefectures were below 0.1?Sv/h.

                    Since the end of March, MEXT has set up an additional monitoring programme in cooperation with local universities. Measurements are made in 26 cities in 13 prefectures. As of 8th April, in 17 cities, the gamma dose rates were below 0.1 ?Sv/h. In 8 other cities, gamma dose rates ranged from 0.13 to 0.17 ?Sv/h, In Fukushima City, a value of 0.42 ?Sv/h was observed. Typical normal background levels are in the range 0.05 to 0.1 ?Sv/hr.

                    The IAEA Team in Fukushima made measurements on the 8th April at 8 different locations at distances of 24 to 42 km, in Northwesterly directions from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. At these locations, the dose rates ranged from 1.6 to 56 microsievert per hour. At the same locations, results of beta-gamma contamination measurements ranged from 0.2 to 5.0 Megabecquerel per square metre. The highest beta-gamma contaminations have been determined at distances of less than 30 km.

                    Since our written brief of yesterday, data related to food contamination has not been reported. However, on 8th April the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that the Emergency Response headquarters had approved the lifting of restrictions on the distribution of unprocessed raw milk in certain locations in Fukushima prefecture (city of Kitakata and the towns of Aizumisato, Bandai, Inawashiro, Michima, Minamiaizu and Simogo) and on the distribution of spinach and kakina in Gunma prefecture.

                    As reported in the brief of 8th April TEPCO is conducting a programme for seawater (surface sampling) at a number of near-shore and off-shore monitoring locations as illustrated in the Map 1


                    Map 1: TEPCO Seawater Sampling Locations http://iaea.org/newscenter/news/pdf/9_april_2011_1.pdf

                    Until 3rd April a general decreasing trend was observed at the sampling points TEPCO 1 to TEPCO 4. After the discharge of contaminated water on 4th April, a temporary increase has been reported.

                    On 6th April at the near-shore sampling points TEPCO 1, TEPCO 3 and TEPCO 4 a decrease in the concentration of I-131 and Cs-137 have been reported. However, at the sampling point TEPCO 2 an increase in the concentration of I-131 (from about 20 kBq/l on 5th April to about 40 kBq/l) and Cs-137 (from about 15 kBq/l on 5th April to about 25 kBq/l) was observed.

                    For the six sampling points TEPCO 5 to TEPCO 10 on 6th April levels of I-131 below 0.4 kBq/l and Cs-137 below 0.2 kBq/l were measured.

                    MEXT Off-shore Monitoring Programme

                    As reported in the brief of 8th April, MEXT initiated the off-shore monitoring program on 23rd March and subsequently points 9 and 10 were added to the off-shore sampling scheme. On 4th April, MEXT added two further sampling points to the north and west of sampling point 1. These are referred to as points A and B on the map below.


                    Map 2: MEXT Seawater Sampling Locations http://iaea.org/newscenter/news/pdf/9_april_2011_2.pdf

                    0n 9 April new data have been reported for samples taken on the 5th April. These data were for the sampling points MEXT3 and MEXT5. At MEXT3 there was an increase from about 3 Bq/l on 1st April to about 10 Bq/l on 5th April for I-131. At MEXT5 there was an increase from about 12 Bq/l on 1st April to about 65 Bq/l for I-131and from about 15 Bq/l to about 40 Bq/l for Cs-137 on 5th April.

                    No new data for the other sampling points have been reported.

                    3. IAEA Activities

                    A team of three agency experts in BWR technology continue to meet with TEPCO and NISA officials in Tokyo.

                    Twitter: @RonanKelly13
                    The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

                      IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident (10 April 2011, 15:00 UTC)
                      Presentation
                      → Summary of Reactor Status http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/table...0april0700-utc

                      On Sunday, 10 April 2011, the IAEA provided the following information on the current status of nuclear safety in Japan:

                      1. Current Situation

                      Earthquake of 7th April

                      External power has been restored at all sites affected by the 7th April earthquake. The 3 litres of water that were spilled at Onagawa NPP have been cleaned up.

                      Changes to Fukushima Daiichi Plant Status

                      Overall, the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains very serious but there are early signs of recovery in some functions such as electrical power and instrumentation.

                      In Units 1, 2 and 3, 60,000 tons of contaminated water need to be removed from the turbine buildings and trenches. This water will be transferred to the condensers of each unit and the Radioactive Waste Treatment facility. In addition, temporary storage tanks have been ordered to provide additional capacity for the water and will be located adjacent to the Radioactive Waste Treatment facility. In Unit 2 water transfer from the condenser to the condensate storage tank was completed on 9th April.

                      Nitrogen gas is being injected into the Unit 1 containment vessel to reduce the possibility of hydrogen combustion within the containment vessel. The pressure in this containment vessel is increasing due to the addition of nitrogen.

                      In Unit 1 fresh water is being continuously injected into the reactor pressure vessel through feed-water line at an indicated flow rate of 6 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with off-site power. In Units 2 and 3 fresh water is being continuously injected through the fire extinguisher lines at indicated rates of 7 m3/h and 7 m3/h respectively using temporary electric pumps with off-site power.

                      In Unit 1 the pressure in the RPV is increasing as indicated on both channels of instrumentation. NISA has indicated that some instruments in the reactor vessel may not be working properly. In Units 2 and 3 Reactor Pressure Vessel and Drywell pressures remain at atmospheric pressure.

                      RPV temperatures remain above cold shutdown conditions, typically less than 95?C. In Unit 1 temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 235?C and at the bottom of the RPV is 120?C. In Unit 2 the temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 145?C. The temperature at the bottom of the RPV was not reported. In Unit 3 the temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 97?C and at the bottom of the RPV is 109?C.

                      The concrete pump vehicle sprayed fresh water (90 T) to the spent fuel pool in Unit 4 on 9th April.

                      There has been no change in status in Units 4, 5 and 6 and the Common Spent Fuel Storage Facility

                      2. Radiation monitoring

                      On 9th April, deposition of both iodine-131 and cesium-137 was detected in 5 and 6 prefectures respectively. The values reported for iodine-131 ranged from 7.8 to 650 becquerel per square metre and for cesium-137 from 3.3 to 370 becquerel per square metre. The highest deposition was reported for both, iodine-131 and cesium-137, in the prefecture of Ibaraki.

                      Gamma dose rates are measured daily in all 47 prefectures, the values tend to decrease. Dose rates are also reported daily for the Eastern part of the Fukushima prefecture, these values are decreasing as well. As of 9th April, the gamma dose rates, reported for distances of more than 30 km to Fukushima-Daiichi, ranged from 0.2 to 26 μSv/h.

                      In an additional monitoring programme, set up by MEXT in cooperation with local universities, measurements are made in 27 cities in 14 prefectures. As of 9th April, in 19 cities, the gamma dose rates were below 0.1 μSv/h. In 7 cities, gamma dose rates range from 0.13 to 0.21 μSv/h. In Fukushima City, a value of 0.46 μSv/h was observed. Typical normal background levels are in the range of 0.05 to 0.10 μSv/hr.

                      As of 7th April, iodine-131 and cesium-137 was detectable in drinking water in a few prefectures at levels far below those that would trigger recommendations for restrictions of drinking water. As of 7th April, one restriction for infants related to I-131 (100 Bq/l) is in place as a precautionary measure in only one village of the Fukushima prefecture.

                      On 9th April, the IAEA Team made measurements at 8 different locations in the Fukushima area at distances of 32 to 62 km, North and North West from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. At these locations, the dose rates ranged from 0.4 to 3.7 microsievert per hour. At the same locations, results of beta-gamma contamination measurements ranged from 0.03 to 0.19 Megabecquerel per square metre.

                      3. Marine Monitoring

                      As reported in the brief of 8th April TEPCO is conducting a programme for seawater (surface sampling) at a number of near-shore and off-shore monitoring locations as illustrated in Map 1

                      Map 1: TEPCO Seawater Sampling Locations

                      Click image for larger version

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                      Until 3rd April a general decreasing trend was observed at the sampling points TEPCO 1 to TEPCO 4. After the discharge of contaminated water on 4th April, a temporary increase has been reported. On 10th April new data (7th April sampling day) for all TEPCO sampling points have been reported. At the near-shore sampling points TEPCO 1, TEPCO 3 and TEPCO 4 a further decrease with respect to the results for the sampling day 5th April, in the concentration of I-131 and Cs-137 have been reported. At the sampling point TEPCO 2 a further increase in the concentration of I-131 (from about 40 kBq/l on 6 April to about 150 kBq/l) and Cs-137 (from about 25 kBq/l on 6th April to about 65 kBq/l) was observed.

                      For the six sampling points TEPCO 5 to TEPCO 10th on April 7th the following has been reported: as TEPCO 5, TEPCO6 and TEPCO10 a further decrease of the levels of I-131 below 0.2 kBq/l and of Cs-137 below 0.1 kBq/l were measured.

                      At TEPCO7 an increase of the level of I-131 has been recorded. At TEPCO8 and TEPCO9 an increase in the levels of both I-131 and Cs-137 has been measured. The reading at TEPCO 9 is from about 0.07 kBq/l (6th April) to about 0.37 kBq/l for I-131 and from about 0.05 kBq/l to about 0.21 kBq/l for Cs-137.

                      MEXT Off-shore Monitoring Programme

                      As reported in the brief of 8th April MEXT initiated the off-shore monitoring program on 23rd March and subsequently points 9 and 10 added to the off-shore sampling scheme. On 4th April, MEXT added two sampling points to the north and west of sampling point 1. These are referred to as points A and B on the map below.

                      Map 2: MEXT Seawater Sampling Locations

                      Click image for larger version

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                      n 10th April new data have been reported (7th April sampling day) for the sampling points MEXT6 and MEXT10. At MEXT6 sampling point an increase in I-131 (from about 18 Bq/l on 3rd April to about 57Bq/l) and Cs-137 (from about 10Bq/l on 3rd April to about 20 Bq/l) has been measured. At MEXT10 the level of I-131 remains about 35 Bq/l as on the 3rd of April; Cs-137 is no longer detectable.

                      No new data for the other sampling points have been reported at the date of 10th April.

                      4. IAEA Activities

                      The team of three agency experts in BWR technology will conclude their mission on Monday with meetings with NISA, MOFA(Ministry of Foreign Affairs), MEXT, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC).

                      In addition to those reported in previous briefs the following countries have submitted monitoring data and/or links to national websites where data is available: USA, Czech Republic and Latvia.

                      Twitter: @RonanKelly13
                      The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

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                      • #41
                        Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

                        Fukushima Nuclear Accident Update (12 April 2011, 04:45 UTC)
                        The Japanese Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) today issued a new provisional rating for the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on the IAEA International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES).

                        The nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi is now rated as a level 7 "Major Accident" on INES. Level 7 is the most serious level on INES and is used to describe an event comprised of "A major release of radioactive material with widespread health and environmental effects requiring implementation of planned and extended countermeasures". Japanese authorities notified the IAEA in advance of the public announcement and the formal submission of the new provisional rating.

                        The new provisional rating considers the accidents that occurred at Units 1, 2 and 3 as a single event on INES. Previously, separate INES Level 5 ratings had been applied for Units 1, 2 and 3. The provisional INES Level 3 rating assigned for Unit 4 still applies.

                        The re-evaluation of the Fukushima Daiichi provisional INES rating resulted from an estimate of the total amount of radioactivity released to the environment from the nuclear plant. NISA estimates that the amount of radioactive material released to the atmosphere is approximately 10% of the 1986 Chernobyl accident, which is the only other nuclear accident to have been rated a Level 7 event.

                        Earlier ratings of the nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi were assessed as follows:

                        On 18 March, Japanese authorities rated the core damage at the Fukushima Daiichi 1, 2 and 3 reactor Units caused by loss of all cooling function to have been at Level 5 on the INES scale. They further assessed that the loss of cooling and water supplying functions in the spent fuel pool of the Unit 4 reactor to have been rated at Level 3.

                        Japanese authorities may revise the INES rating at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant as further information becomes available.

                        INES is used to promptly and consistently communicate to the public the safety significance of events associated with sources of radiation. The scale runs from 0 (deviation) to 7 (major accident).

                        Further information on the INES scale: http://www-ns.iaea.org/tech-areas/emergency/ines.asp.


                        Further details regarding this development can be found in the NISA Press Release [pdf]. http://www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/f...20110412-4.pdf


                        Twitter: @RonanKelly13
                        The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

                        Comment


                        • #42
                          Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

                          IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident (13 April 2011, 14:30 UTC)
                          Presentations:
                          → Summary of Reactor Status http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/summa...-2011-1100-utc


                          1. Current Situation

                          Overall, the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains very serious but there are early signs of recovery in some functions such as electrical power and instrumentation

                          There have been no changes concerning the provisional INES Level 7 rating and protective measures as reported in yesterday's brief.

                          Earthquakes of 11th and 12th April

                          The IEC received information from the IAEA International Seismic Safety Center on the following recent earthquakes (equal or higher than magnitude Mw= 6.0) which occurred in the time interval from 23:08 UTC on 2011-04-11 to 05:07 UTC on 2011-04-12:

                          1) At 23:08 UTC, 2011-04-11, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 occurred offshore of the East Coast of Honshu, Japan) at a depth of 13.1 km. Distances from epicentre of the earthquake to NPP sites were: 188 km to Tokai, 217 km to Fukushima Daini, 229 km to Fukushima Daiichi, 236 km to Hamaoka and 285 km to Kashiwazaki-Kariwa.

                          2) At 05:07 UTC, 2011-04-12, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 occurred inland east of Honshu, Japan at a depth of 10.6 km. Distances from epicentre of the earthquake to NPP sites were; 46 km to Fukushima Daini, 53 km to Fukushima Daiichi, 72 km to Tokai, 165 km to Onagawa and 179 km to Kashiwazaki-Kariwa.

                          NISA press release regarding the earthquake which occurred on 12th April, states that there was no effect on the following NPP sites: Fukushima Dai-ichi, Fukushima Dai-ni, Tokai Dai-ni, Onagawa. Other nuclear related facilities (Mitusubishi Nuclear Fuel, Nuclear Fuel Industries Ltd., JAEA Tokai & its recycling plant) in Tokai area were reported to be safe by their respective operators.

                          Changes to Fukushima Daiichi Plant Status

                          On 11th April, a fire broke out in the housing outlet structure for cooling water for Units 1-4. The fire was extinguished manually. No consequences were identified in terms of release of radioactive material, cooling of the plants, or values recorded by radiation monitoring posts.

                          In Unit 1 fresh water is being continuously injected into the RPV through the feed-water line at an indicated flow rate of 6 m3/h using a temporary electric pump with off-site power. In Units 2 and 3 fresh water is being continuously injected through the fire extinguisher lines at an indicated rate of 7 m3/h using temporary electric pumps with off-site power.

                          Nitrogen gas is being injected into the Unit 1 containment vessel to reduce the possibility of hydrogen combustion within the containment vessel. The pressure in this containment vessel has stabilised. The pressure in the RPV is increasing as indicated on one channel of instrumentation. The other channel shows RPV pressure as stable.

                          In Units 2 and 3 Reactor Pressure Vessel and Drywell pressures remain at atmospheric pressure.

                          RPV temperatures remain above cold shutdown conditions in all Units, (typically less than 95?C). In Unit 1 temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 206?C and at the bottom of the RPV is 119?C. In Unit 2 the temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 165?C. The temperature at the bottom of RPV was reported as 208?C (this measurement has been available since the 12th April). In Unit 3 the temperature at the feed water nozzle of the RPV is 99?C and at the bottom of the RPV is 116?C.

                          There has been no change in status in Units 4, 5 and 6 and the Common Spent Fuel Storage Facility.

                          2. Radiation monitoring

                          On 12th April, deposition of both iodine-131 and cesium-137 was detected in 7 and 6 prefectures respectively. The values reported for iodine-131 ranged from 1.6 to 460 Bq/m2 and for cesium-137 from 31 to 700 Bq/m2. The highest deposition was observed in the Ibaraki prefecture.

                          Gamma dose rates are measured daily in all 47 prefectures, the values tend to decrease. For Fukushima, on 12th April a dose rate of 2.1 μSv/h, for the Ibaraki prefecture a gamma dose rate of 0.14 μSv/h was reported. The gamma dose rates in all other prefectures were below 0.1 ?Sv/h.

                          Only in a few prefectures, iodine-131 or cesium-137 is detectable in drinking water at very low levels. As of 12th April, a restriction for infants related to iodine-131 (100 Bq/l) is in place as a precautionary in a small scale water supply in one village of the Fukushima prefecture.

                          MEXT reported on measurements of strontium-89 (half-life: 50.5 days) and strontium-90(half-life: 28.8 years) in three samples taken in one village in the Fukushima prefecture on 16 March. The activities in soil for Sr-89 ranged from 13 and 260 Bq/kg and for Sr-90 between 3.3 and 32 Bq/kg. Sr-90 was also distributed globally during nuclear weapons' testing in the atmosphere, typical global levels of Sr-90 in surface soils are in the order of one to a few becquerel per kg. Strontium was also measured in plant samples in four others villages, with values ranging from 12 to 61 Bq/kg for Sr-89 and 1.8 to 5.9 Bq/kg for Sr-90.

                          On 12th April, the IAEA Team made measurements at 7 different locations in the Fukushima area at distances of 32 to 62 km, North and Northwest from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. At these locations, the dose rates ranged from 0.6 to 1.6 ?Sv/h. At the same locations, results of beta-gamma contamination measurements ranged from 0.6 to 1.7 Megabecquerel/m2.

                          NISA reported on 12th April that the three workers who had previously been exposed to high dose rates while working in the turbine building of Unit 3 have undergone further medical checks. No negative outcomes were identified. In the case of the two workers who received doses of a few Sievert to their legs as a result of walking in contaminated water, medical tests showed no evidence of either skin burns or erythema.

                          Analytical results related to food contamination were reported by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on 12th April that covered a total of 55 samples taken on the 8th and 10th -- 12th April. Analytical results for 53 of the samples of various vegetables, fruit (strawberry), seafood and unprocessed raw milk in eight prefectures (Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Niigata, Saitama and Yamagata) indicated that I-131, Cs-134 and/or Cs-137 were either not detected or were below the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities. In Ibaraki prefecture for samples taken on 11th April, one sample of seafood (sand lance) was above the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities for I-131 and one sample of spinach was above the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities for Cs-134/Cs-137.

                          On 13th April, the Prime Minister of Japan requested the Governor of Fukushima prefecture to restrict the consumption of shiitake mushrooms (grown on logs in open fields only) produced at Iitate-village until further notice. Instructions were also issued to restrict the distribution of shiitake mushrooms (grown on logs in open fields only) produced in the cities of Date, Soma, Minamisoma, Tamura and Iwaki; the towns of Shinchi, Kawamata, Namie, Futaba, Ookuma, Tomioka, Naraha and Hirono, and; the villages of Iitate, Katsurao and Kawauchi until further notice.

                          3. Marine Monitoring

                          TEPCO Monitoring Programme

                          TEPCO is conducting a programme for seawater (surface sampling) at a number of near-shore and off-shore monitoring locations (see Map1. TEPCO Seawater Sampling Locations).

                          On same days, two samples were collected at the same sampling point, a few hours apart and analysed separately.

                          Until 3rd April a general decreasing trend was observed at the sampling points TEPCO1 to TEPCO4. After the discharge of contaminated water on 4th April, a temporary increase has been reported.

                          On 13th April new data for samples collected on 11th April at TEPCO1-10 sampling points have been reported. As for the near-shore stations TEPCO1, 3 and 4 levels of I-131 and Cs-137 below 1.5 kBq/l have been reported. At TEPCO 2, for both I-131 and Cs-137 concentrations of about 7 kBq/l were measured.

                          As for the six TEPCO stations 15 km offshore, at TEPCO 5-6-10 the concentration of I-131 was below 0.3 kBq/l and that of Cs-137 below 0.2 kBq/l. At TEPCO 7 and 8, I-131 and Cs-137 below 0.05 kBq/l below 0.02 kBq/l were measured. At TEPCO 9 concentrations of about 1 kBq/l of both I-131 and Cs-137 were recorded.

                          MEXT Off-shore Monitoring Programme

                          MEXT initiated the off-shore monitoring program on 23rd March and subsequently points 9 and 10 were added to the off-shore sampling scheme. On 4th April, MEXT added two sampling points to the north and west of sampling point 1. These are referred to as points A and B (see Map2: MEXT Seawater sampling Locationsc).

                          On 13th April new data for samples collected on 11th April at MEXT 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 an B sampling points have been reported.

                          Cs-137 was only detected at MEXT 4 at a concentration level of about 70 Bq/l.

                          I-131 concentration of about 90 Bq/l was measured at Station MEXT4. At MEXT6, 8, 10 and B, I-131 below about 15 Bq/l was reported.

                          Map 1: TEPCO Seawater Sampling Locations:



                          Map 2: MEXT Seawater Sampling Locations:



                          4. IAEA activities

                          No new activities to report.

                          Twitter: @RonanKelly13
                          The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.

                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Re: IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency Updates

                            Summary Report of the Preliminary Findings of the IAEA Mission on remediation of large contaminated areas off-site the Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP
                            7 – 15 October 2011, Japan
                            14. October 2011

                            Some recommendations by the IAEA for Japan in this report:

                            1)Japan is advised not to be too conservative in the radiation clean up.

                            2)Increase signage in the areas where the levels of radiation have been determined to be unsafe.

                            3)Focus on remediation activities that will reduce radiation dose exposure levels.

                            4)Be aggressive in removing radiation, such as cesium, from crop areas.

                            5)Monitor sea and drinking water for radiation levels.

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