FUKUSHIMA Nuclear Disaster By Miss Dammarell & Mrs. Schwartz

Where is Fukushima? Fukushima is located off the northeastern coast of Japan. The plant has six boiling water reactors.

Reactor Information: Chemistry & Equipment Fukushima utilizes a boiling water reactor (BWR). Fukushima utilizes a boiling water reactor (BWR). In the BWR, water is boiled by the heat of a fission reaction, the steam goes into turning the turbine (Carle). In the BWR, water is boiled by the heat of a fission reaction, the steam goes into turning the turbine (Carle). Control rods are used to slow fission reactions (Wilbraham et al). Control rods are used to slow fission reactions (Wilbraham et al). Water is circulated around the reactor to cool it. External power is required for this process (Carle). Water is circulated around the reactor to cool it. External power is required for this process (Carle). U  Te + Zr + n

Nuclear Disaster A 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunamis caused electrical failure and damage to the nuclear plant (Fecht). Loss of cooling led to overheating and the eventual meltdown of reactors and explosions (Carle). 330,000 tons of contaminated water are expected to be released into the Pacific Ocean after cleanup is complete (Carle).

Fukushima Timeline March 11, 2011 Date 1 Date 3 Date 4 At 2:46 PM a 9.0 earthquake hits off the coast of Japan. Fukushima experiences a power outage and generators turn on. Seven tsunamis follow the quake some reaching 15 meters in height (Fecht). There was an earthquake and tsunami near the nuclear plant. 2 points x 4 events=8 Partial points x 4 events=6 VS

Interesting Facts After the earthquake near Fukushima, the control rods of each reactor fully inserted to absorb all neutrons and stopped the nuclear reaction from occurring (Carle). Control rods absorb neutrons reducing or ceasing the amount of chain reactions occurring in a reactor (Wilbraham et al). 2 points x 4= 8points VS The earthquake caused the control rods to insert fully. Partial points x 4 events=6 points Partial points x 4 events=6 points

Implications The initial zone of evacuation was within a 2 km radius of the plant. Later this zone was increased to 10 km, then 20 km (Carle). Poor planning and communication made for stressful evacuations. 2 points x 4= 8 points VS People were evacuated 20 km from the plant. Partial points x 4= 6 points

Resource Evaluation Japan has very strict standards for acceptable levels of radioactive elements in food, particularly cesium. After the disaster at Fukushima, officials reduced acceptable limits even further. For example in Japan 10 Bq/Kg of Cs is acceptable compared to 1200 Bq/Kg in the US. 2 points x 4= 8 points VS Food standards for acceptable limits of radioactive cesium were reduced. Partial points x 4= 6 points

Citations Carle, Beth A. “ Nuclear Meltdown in Fukushima: Human Accident or Natural Disaster?” National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science 24 Sept Print. Fecht, Sarah. “1 Year Later: A Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Timeline” Scientific American 8 Mar Electronic Article. Wilbraham, Antony, C., Dennis D. Staley, Michael S. Matta, and Edward L. Waterman. Chemistry. Boston: Pearson Prentice Hall, Print. Website: Editor, Author, or compiler (if available). Name of Site. Version number. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site, date of resource creation. Medium of publication. Date of access. Article: Article: Author(s). “Title of Article.” Title of Periodical Day Month Year: Pages. Medium of Publication. For help with citations visit: