Radiation 101: How far will radioactive water leaking from nuclear plant go?

[Playinghardball]

Source:The Christian Science Monitor
By Peter Grier

Radiation is contaminating seawater near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex, but workers are reported to be making headway sealing the leak. Officials say radioactive substances will dissipate in the Pacific.

Seawater near the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex is highly contaminated with radioactive iodine, plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) reported Tuesday. But TEPCO also said workers are making headway in an attempt to seal a concrete pit they believe is leaking radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean.

Ocean contamination has become a more critical issue in Japan in recent days as the extent of Fukushima’s leakage has become clearer. The presence in seawater samples of highly radioactive substances such as iodine-131 and cesium-137 indicates that the radioactivity is flowing out of reactor units themselves, according to Japanese officials.

Read more at: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0405/Radiation-101-How-far-will-radioactive-water-leaking-from-nuclear-plant-go

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. Remember the rubber duckies that spilled in the N Pacific 20 years ago?

They've been found as far away as the S Atlantic and Mediterranean.

[here_is_to_hope]

2. Not sure but I am going surfing here shortly

on the Southern Coast of Oregon, let you know if I see nay three eyed fish or talking sea lions...

[Possumpoint]

3. Of Concern Is

The half life of the types of radiation. If it has a half life of 8 days its not as great a concern as if it has a half life of 30 years. My concern is that the ocean currents will bring it up towards the Alaska fishing grounds. 30 years is a long time for the crabs and Haddock to glow.

[Vincardog]

5. It takes about 100 X the half life to significantly reduce the danger. 300 years is a long time for

This economic insult will be with us for a long time

[FiveGoodMen]

4. It will eventually go every place on (and even under) the earth

How diluted will it be when it gets there is the only question.