Fukushima nuclear plant releases second batch of modified radioactive water into sea

Tokyo. The operator of the Fukushima nuclear plant, which was nearly destroyed by the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011, said the process of releasing a second batch of treated radioactive water into the sea has been initiated. The process of releasing the first batch of modified radioactive water into the sea ended smoothly after which the second phase of the process has been started. Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings (TEPCO) said workers turned on a pump to release modified radioactive water into the sea.
The process of releasing treated water into the ocean is likely to last for decades. This plan has been strongly opposed by the fishing community and neighboring countries including South Korea. Japan’s fishing community had opposed the plan, saying it would tarnish the reputation of seafood. China has banned the import of seafood from Japan, causing huge losses to Japanese seafood producers and exporters.
The plant first began the process of releasing treated radioactive water into the sea on August 24 and finished on September 11. Tepco said that 7,800 tonnes of treated water was released into the sea from 10 tanks. In the second phase, it plans to release 7,800 tons of treated water into the Pacific Ocean in 17 days. About 1.34 million tonnes of radioactive water is stored in about 1,000 tanks at the plant.