The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) independent sampling and analysis of the second batch of ALPS treated water prepared for discharge from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) confirms the tritium level reported by Japan.
IAEA experts collected samples in June from the tanks at FDNPS holding the second batch of water to be discharged. The samples were sent to the IAEA Laboratories in Austria and Monaco where they were analysed to corroborate plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (Tepco’s) analysis for tritium.
In addition to analysing for tritium, the IAEA conducted additional precautionary screening for alpha, beta and gamma emitting radionuclides and did not detect any other radionuclides in significant quantities.
As part of its comprehensive and continuous safety review of the treated water discharge, IAEA conducts a broad range independent sampling, data corroboration, and analysis activities to verify Japanese data about the treated water. This work is conducted through comprehensive interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) and complemented by additional sampling and analyses, both on-site at the FDNPS and at the IAEA laboratories, such as that done for the second batch of water.
IAEA and Japan recently signed an agreement on continuous monitoring and safety assessment of ALPS treated water discharge paving the way for decades of independent monitoring, sampling and analysis at the site and at sea. All future reports on independent sampling, data corroboration, and analysis activities will be available on the IAEA website.
Image: IAEA staff conducts its second seawater sampling after Japan’s discharge of ALPS treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (courtesy of IAEA)
