How seawater could corrode nuclear fuel

Japan used seawater to cool nuclear fuel at the stricken Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant after the tsunami in March 2011 — and that was probably the best action to take at the time, says Professor Alexandra Navrotsky of the University of California, Davis. But Navrotsky and others have since discovered a new way in which seawater [...]

Radiation, rust seen in tsunami-hit Japan reactor

The first look inside one of Japan’s tsunami-hit nuclear reactors showed radiation, steam and rusty metal surfaces scarred by 10 months’ exposure to high temperatures and humidity. The steam-blurred photos taken by remote control Thursday found none of the reactor’s melted fuel but confirmed stable reactor temperature and showed no major damage or ruptures caused [...]

Sea salt may be hampering Japan nuclear recovery

Corrosive salt from seawater may be adding to problems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, damaged two weeks ago by the mega-quake and tsunami in Japan.   The flood swept away backup power units meant to keep cooling water flowing through the reactors in an emergency, forcing the plant’s operators to use seawater to cool [...]