The effect of the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011 on the Oceans

1. FUKUSHIMA SATISTICS Fukushima -11th of March 2011  Fukushima nuclear power plant cracked open because of earthquake/tsunami -around 1,600 killed by Fukushima nuclear power plant -16,000 people were killed across Japan -300,000 people evacuated their homes Where Earthquake and Tsunami occurred -Has cost the government 250 billion $ RADIOACTIVITY IN THE OCEANS -spilled 93 billion Becquerel's of radioactive cesium into atmosphere/oceans Japanese government trying to cover it up The effect of the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011 on the Oceans -300 tons of contaminated water spilling Pacific Ocean -Ecological impacts = Kuroshio Current and Kuroshio Extension spread nuclear particles throughout world  affects more animals/people because even a very small amount can cause cancer -radiation levels of water around reactor = 10,000 times higher than normal Radiation in the Pacific Ocean FUKUSHIMAS EFFECT ON FISHING -Trophic levels = animals that are higher up the food chain (large fish, whales, humans…) will digest an accumulation of radioactive waste  affects the entire ecosystem and food chain - Fishing industry = very affected because prohibited fishing in 61 kilometers around area and over 150 meters deep  Waters in north-east of the Fukushima plant = amongst the busiest fishing zones in the world  Half of Japan's sea-food -legal limit of radiation in fish = 100 Becquerel’s/kg whilst levels were between 134 and 136 Becquerel’s/kg in local fish  treated as radioactive waste -Fishermen make their money by cleaning up radioactive debris and catching a few fish to bring to labs  has cost the regions fishing industry 3.5 billion $ FUKUSHIMA AND MARINE/COASTAL LIFE -1,100 of the frail animals have become stranded and had to enter marine mammal rehabilitation centers up the west coast of America  only 100 prior to Fukushima disaster -Animals (dolphins, seals, fish…) suffer “beta burns” = external sores caused by radiation  even polar bears in the North pole were found to have these -Thousands of animals were found with dead deformed and burnt Beta burns on seal flipper Dead whales near Fukushima Even children next to the coast were found to be deformed (Japan + America)