Tokyo Electric Power, the operator of the Japanese Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant, has completed the third stage of discharging water purified from radioactive particles into the ocean, which was used to cool the plant's reactors, Ednews informs via TASS.
No incidents were recorded during the third stage of water release. An excessive level of tritium content in sea water in the area of the station was also not detected. As during the previous stages, about 7,800 tons of water were discharged from the station in batches not exceeding 500 tons per day. The fourth phase is expected to start in early 2024.
In March 2011, a tsunami struck power and cooling units at the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant, which led to the melting of nuclear fuel in three reactors, the destruction of their vessels, explosions and the release of large amounts of radioactive substances. Now the station area and surrounding areas have been practically cleared. However, water is constantly being poured into the destroyed reactors to cool fragments of nuclear fuel, which flows out through the gaps with severe radioactive contamination.
Currently, over 1.34 million tons of water have accumulated on the territory of the nuclear power plant. In this regard, the Japanese government decided to gradually release purified water into the ocean. This operation will take 30-40 years. The corresponding process has been approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but is dissatisfied with some countries, primarily China.