On December 22, TEPCO completed the 17th round of ocean discharge of ALPS-treated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, bringing the total released to about 133,000 tonnes 🌊.
Japan started this wastewater release in August 2023 amid international concerns. Critics worry about marine life and water safety, while TEPCO says advanced filters remove most radionuclides, except tritium, which is released at low levels.
The latest round began on December 4 but was briefly paused on December 8 after a powerful earthquake off Aomori Prefecture ⚡. Operations resumed on December 9, with 7,833 tonnes discharged, containing roughly 2.4 trillion becquerels of tritium.
- Total discharged so far: ~133,000 tonnes
- Latest (17th) round: 7,833 tonnes
- Radioactive tritium: ~2.4 trillion Bq
- Planned for fiscal 2025: 7 rounds, ~54,600 tonnes
TEPCO plans seven more discharges between April 2025 and March 2026, aiming for another 54,600 tonnes. As this ongoing process unfolds, scientists and communities around the Pacific are watching closely to track environmental impacts.
Stay tuned for updates as Japan navigates this complex environmental challenge.
Reference(s):
Fukushima nuclear-tainted wastewater discharge tops 130,000 tonnes
cgtn.com
