Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label Cesium-137

Fukushima's Bluefin Tuna Reaches California's Shores and Raises Fears

By Theodora Filis The plan to release treated wastewater has been in the works for years, with the environment minister declaring in 2019 there were “no other options” as space runs out to contain the contaminated material. Bluefin tuna only spawn in the western Pacific, and often head east towards California following food sources. These days, they bring with them “low levels” of radiation. Along the California coast concerns that this is the result of the tsunami-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant have many people worried. Scientists believe these were young tuna that left Japanese waters approximately a month after the power plant disaster, last year. The real issue is a hydrogen isotope called radioactive tritium, which cannot be taken away. There is currently no technology available to do so. Diluting the wastewater might not be enough to reduce its impact on marine life. Pollutants like tritium can pass through various levels of the food chain – including plants, anim...