Japan

Ice wall at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant has partially melted

cde.news desk 26 November 2021, 10:00 · 1 min read

epa09066736 The crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is seen in Namie, Fukushima prefecture, northeastern Japan, 11 March 2021. Japan is commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami in which approximately 20,000 people lost their lives on 11 March 2011. EPA-EFE/JIJI PRESS JAPAN OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ NO ARCHIVES

TOKYO, Nov 26 (Reuters) – Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco) will launch remedial works at the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant to strengthen an ice wall intended to halt the flow of groundwater after testing indicated partial melting.

The work could begin as early as the start of December, according to a presentation from the plant operator dated Thursday, part of a costly and troubled effort to secure the site following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The ice wall is intended to limit the seepage of groundwater into the plant, which has created large amounts of toxic water being stored by Tepco in tanks.

Japan plans to release more than 1 million tonnes of water into the sea after treating it. The water contains the radioactive isotope tritium, which cannot be removed.

Photo – The crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is seen in Namie, Fukushima prefecture, northeastern Japan. EPA-EFE/JIJI PRESS