Japan: 9.0 Earthquake-Tsunami-Nuclear Reactor Developments #1

[Quiche]

"They were in a ''separate bunker some distance away that can survive a nuclear incident and where the people can keep working'', John Price, an adjunct professor at Monash University and a former member of the safety policy unit of the National Nuclear Corporation UK, said."

Thank goodness they are safe.. but I imagine they are scared to death for their families

I don't know that they're really safe-- I read a bit in an article (can't imagine which one, now) that said they don't have air circulation, so they've had to open the door to the outside. Not good.

I find it interesting that Japan still says no higher radiation, and a Navy ship is getting nailed. I hope they get a little more forthright.

 

[Wise Old Owl]

Isn't one of those reactors that one that is running some "hybrid" type of fuel - they called is "mox" and its radiation is much much higher than the regulars?

I'm wondering if the second explosion (or maybe even the first) breeched containment vessels - meaning even though they are pumping in the sea water, it can't be contained (or caught and kept - like in a bowl or pot) - so the water just runs right back off which would expose those fuel rods. Kinda like trying to fill a bucket that has a big ole hole in the bottom of it - KWIM?

 

[mysteriew]

I don't know that they're really safe-- I read a bit in an article (can't imagine which one, now) that said they don't have air circulation, so they've had to open the door to the outside. Not good.

I find it interesting that Japan still says no higher radiation, and a Navy ship is getting nailed. I hope they get a little more forthright.

Too an extent they can be excused for some lack of communication right now. Their government itself is probably in some disarray following the quake and the crisis. The info is probably mostly getting out via spokesmen, who don't see the figures and statistics they only know what the are being told. And the people who are actually in the know are rather busy with trying to control the crisis and probably communicating with the decision makers.

To their credit though it sounds like they are accepting outside help and advice. Which means not only their experts but also the world experts will be advising.

 

[Quiche]

Isn't one of those reactors that one that is running some "hybrid" type of fuel - they called is "mox" and its radiation is much much higher than the regulars?

I'm wondering if the second explosion (or maybe even the first) breeched containment vessels - meaning even though they are pumping in the sea water, it can't be contained (or caught and kept - like in a bowl or pot) - so the water just runs right back off which would expose those fuel rods. Kinda like trying to fill a bucket that has a big ole hole in the bottom of it - KWIM?

Or spritzing water on a very hot bed of coals...

Mox is used in the #3 reactor, its fuel is plutonium rather than uranium.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOX_fuel

 

[peeples]

I read an article t hat said due to the pressure issues putting the sea water on there, was like "adding water to a water balloon that is already full..." we cannot tell how much is actually getting in...."

 

[Peliman]

BREAKING NEWS: Radiation twice the maximum seen so far detected at nuke plant Monday: TEPCO

 

[Quiche]

Steel walls all that stand between Japan and nuclear crisis

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/14/us-japan-quake-explosion-idUSTRE72D4SS20110314

and

* Neighboring countries could be the first to sound the alarm about a major radioactive leak, as happened with Chernobyl, according to Jennex of San Diego State University. In Japan's case, that would most likely be Korea, China or Russia.

 

[peeples]

Steel walls all that stand between Japan and nuclear crisis

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/14/us-japan-quake-explosion-idUSTRE72D4SS20110314

and

* Neighboring countries could be the first to sound the alarm about a major radioactive leak, as happened with Chernobyl, according to Jennex of San Diego State University. In Japan's case, that would most likely be Korea, China or Russia.

I hope someone is keeping an eye on those countries newspapers so we can find out when.if they find something. Although maybe they'd let other governments know first before letting the public know....???
I'd have hubs translate the russian but he's gone

 

[Reality Orlando]

I have to wonder, too, if the radiation is contaminating the water, how far from the contamination area itself will be affected. Japan was once surrounded by some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Today, many still survive but many others have already been damaged and were under rebuilding efforts. Work has been progressing to reseed these reefs with coral frags grown in aquaculture or maricultured farms to help repopulate the reefs with living organisms once abundant there. My fear is the reefs surrounding Japan will be dealt a quadruple blow this week: damage from the quake itself (shoreline shifted 8 feet); tsunami damaging the reefs; pollution runoff once waters recede from land; radiation contamination. Not only will the loss of the reefs be a blow due to their beauty and the fact that many Japanese reef dwellers are found no where else on the planet, the reefs are a major source of food for fish which are a staple in Japanese diets.

 

[mysteriew]

I have to wonder, too, if the radiation is contaminating the water, how far from the contamination area itself will be affected. Japan was once surrounded by some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Today, many still survive but many others have already been damaged and were under rebuilding efforts. Work has been progressing to reseed these reefs with coral frags grown in aquaculture or maricultured farms to help repopulate the reefs with living organisms once abundant there. My fear is the reefs surrounding Japan will be dealt a quadruple blow this week: damage from the quake itself (shoreline shifted 8 feet); tsunami damaging the reefs; pollution runoff once waters recede from land; radiation contamination. Not only will the loss of the reefs be a blow due to their beauty and the fact that many Japanese reef dwellers are found no where else on the planet, the reefs are a major source of food for fish which are a staple in Japanese diets.

Yeah I've thought of that. And the radiation fallout will cause problems for years to come.

 

[gibby207]

I believe cesium has a 30-year half-life. We have monitors out in WA now to detect cesium levels.

 

[Quiche]

This is a way this disaster will affect us right away.

http://www.automatedtrader.net/real...-to-test-japanese-products-for-radiation-risk

 

[peeples]

this is on the CNN homepage at the Top

"Fuel rods in earthquake-damaged Japanese nuclear reactor have become exposed again, Kyodo News agency reports."

BBM- wasn't aware they were the first time

 

[peeples]

Something to make us smile amidst all the sadness

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=182565&catid=40

 

[Quiche]

Bless the efforts of the person(s) keeping this page updated!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_I_Nuclear_Power_Plant

 

[Reality Orlando]

Something to make us smile amidst all the sadness

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=182565&catid=40

Awww...how sweet!

 

[JustToSeeYouSmile]

Keep up the good work VATF1 and CATF2... lots of thoughts and prayers with you.

<He said two U.S. urban search and rescue teams, with 144 staff and 12 dogs, had begun work at first light on Monday looking for people trapped in the rubble in buildings flattened by the tsunami that followed Friday's 8.9-magnitude quake.>

 

[SuziQ]

LATEST UPDATE: Japanese officials say nuclear fuel rods appear to be melting inside all three of the most troubled reactors as rescuers equipped with chain saws and hand picks dig out bodies and look for survivors in devastated coastal towns

http://www.foxnews.com/

 

[tehcloser]

Japanese officials confirmed Monday that nuclear fuel rods appear to be melting inside three reactors compromised by Friday&#8217;s earthquake, though nuclear experts differ on whether the outer chamber of a reactor melting in fact constitutes a partial &#8220;meltdown.&#8221;
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Monday that "although we cannot directly check it, it's highly likely happening."



Ummmmmmm.........since you can't "directly" check it ?


http://www.nationaljournal.com/ener...lear-fuel-rods-melting-in-3-reactors-20110314

 

[tehcloser]

LATEST UPDATE: Japanese officials say nuclear fuel rods appear to be melting inside all three of the most troubled reactors as rescuers equipped with chain saws and hand picks dig out bodies and look for survivors in devastated coastal towns

http://www.foxnews.com/

CNN live talking about it now...........