Japan: Radioactivity in fish is still high

Results from a recent study show that many fish species in Japan still contain high levels of Cesium (Cs) radiation , even though it has been more than 1.5 years since the earthquake occurred. Historical tsunami destroys Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant in March 2011.

Although most fish samples have reached a safe Cs threshold, some species are still listed as worrisome. The highest level of Cs is mainly in populations living near the seabed and near the Fukushima area.

Based on the annual report on more than 8,500 acres of shellfish, snails, fish and seaweed in the coastal area of ​​Fukushima, Ken Buesseler, an oceanographer of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (USA) immediately noticed radiation levels. In the fish has not declined throughout the year but should have been exposed to radiation, the concentration of Cs in the organism must be reduced by a few percent. Thus, they are certainly still facing Cs leakage from a source, Buesseler said.

Radioactivity still exists in seafood species in Japan the next few decades.

It is possible that Cs have arisen from the seabed or contaminated groundwater flows into the ocean, accumulated in seabed sediments or in the bodies of other worms and invertebrates that live under that sediment. . Buesseler speculated that even if radiation stopped completely, it would remain there for several more decades.'This means that the coastal fishing industry in Japan will still be in trouble for a long time to come,' said Ken Buesseler.

Besides, after the tsunami disaster, people used seawater to cool the nuclear reactor, the amount of water flowing into the sea is also considered a part of the cause.

However, if you eat the Fukushima seafood species, don't be afraid because the radioactive content (including polonium-210 and postassium-40) in the fish here is still lower than the natural content. . Polonium-210 and postassium-40 are very popular among marine animals, because 99% of the radiation in the ocean is natural, the remaining 1% is due to nuclear weapons tests in the 1960s.

'For my part, I ate all seafood during my trip to Japan last July,' Buesseler said.

Reference: Discovery