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Fukushima fallout transport longevity revealed by North Pacific ocean circulation patterns

Hannah Bird6-8 minutes 3/28/2024

DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1358032, Show Details

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by Hannah Bird , Phys.org

Schematic diagram of the modeled trajectories of computationally-released radiocaesium particles, which can be split into three pattern clusters: transport along the Kuroshio-Oyashio current transition zone (a,d), the Kuroshio Extension (b, e) and the North Atlantic subtropical mode water recirculation gyre (c, f). Credit: Kim et al. 2024.

Fukushima is now notorious for the nuclear disaster that took place in March 2011, the second worst of its kind after the Chernobyl catastrophe of 1986. An earthquake-triggered tsunami off the Japanese coast damaged backup generators at the Fukushima nuclear plant, leading to failure of the reactors' cooling systems. The residual heat partially melted a number of the fuel rods in three reactors, causing the release of nuclear radiation. A series of explosions further damaged containment buildings and released additional radiation to the surrounding area, leading to a 30 km radius of evacuation.

While efforts to cool the reactors and prevent further explosions were met with some success by delivering water from helicopters and using truck-mounted cannons, radiation was subsequently found to have entered the oceans (~3.5 petabecquerels of contaminated water), as well as local food and water supplies. It took until December 2011 for the nuclear plant to finally be deemed stable, but a further six years before all evacuation orders were lifted.

The long-lasting impacts of the event are the source of continued investigation, with new research, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, exploring the movement and residency of Fukushima-derived tracers in the North Pacific.