Mourning the Dead (above) Counting the Dead (below)
After earthquake and tsunami, Japan is now mourning the dead. Meanwhile at the Fukushima nuclear plant no.1, the desperate fight against nuclear catastrophe is reaching its final stage. The water cannon provided by municipal police was not efficient enough to help cool down reactor 3 and its storage department of unused uranium rods. Therefore, water cannon trucks provided by an airport fire brigade had to be used. Such trucks are able to produce a greater water pressure. NHK World, Tokyo, March 17, 2011.
Latest news: Tokyo fire brigade provided 5 vehicles and 20 fire fighters. As two of the vehicles are using water cannons mounted on special cranes, water injection into the reactor 3 casing from above and at short distance is now possible. Meanwhile radiation at the facility seems to be stable at 20 mSievert.
In order to cool down reactor 3 at the Fukushima nuclear plant no. 1, there have been made efforts to fill the roofless reactor building after the explosion with water dropped from helicopters. Such, the outer receptacle of the reactor could be cooled down to a certain degree. Another project to be started soon includes the use of a water-cannon provided by the municipal police.
The following picture is showing a list of dead and missed people in the region affected by earthquake, tsunami and / or nuclear catastrophe. The confirmed death rate sums up to 4377, three municipalities being extremely hit by natural disaster. Among the most haunted districts is the Fukushima township near to its destroyed nuclear plant with 533 recorded deaths. The overall number of missing people in the coastal region is 9083.
The below picture is showing a map of the nuclear plant and its environment in Fukushima prefecture. Both nuclear plants and the security belts of 20 and 30 km around the exploded reactors of plant no. 1 can be easily found in the lower part of the map. Straight above is the airport of Sendai township that should not be affected by either earthquake or tsunami because the Japanese comment (written in Chinese Kanji characters) is reading that its runways (1200 m and 3000 m) are operational between 7:30 and 21:30 and that a 24 hours service might be possible. That seems to be due to the distance from devastated area (*) of 708 m and 400 m of those runways which obviously saved them from tsunami impact and makes them an important destination for aid to be delivered now. * = "distance from devastated area" is the only realistic explanation of the 708 m and 400 m data given in the map, as, this time, the Japanese comment is given in Japanese Katakana or Hiragana script which I cannot interpret.
After the horrible development at Fukushima nuclear plant no. 1, Western countries are discussing the risks of nuclear energy on a high national level:
Members of the French parliament are gathering on a symposium where reactor security is being debated [Telesur TV, Caracas]. France is one of the nations extremely dependent on nuclear energy. Up to now, a vast majority of citizens has been in support of the long-standing energy concept in France.
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The actual state of reactors 3 and 4 after their explosion:
After the explosion of reactor 3 and 4 at Fukushima energy plant, there is now only one option left to reduce fire and cool down reactor 3: Pouring water down from army helicopters. Additionally, damaged water pumps will be replaced as soon as possible by U.S. company General Electric who delivered the original pumps that crashed during the tsunami impact. NHK World, Tokyo, on March 16, 2011.
Cooling off reactor 3 by helicopter:
Comment by Ulysses: As to the explosion of reactors 1, 3 and 4, it was said they were due to hydrogen emitted from the reactor. Now, hydrogen can be produced from water that is used as a coolant fluid in such reactors. It is known that reactor fluid usually contains a certain amount of H2O2 that has to be generated from water H2O under the influence of radiation. Thus, the formation of hydrogen H2 must be due to the following summary equation: 2 H2O => H2O2 + H2 The mechanism of H2 formation should be based on a so-called radical type reaction. Under high-temperature conditions, however, H2O2 will soon decay to water H2O and oxygen O2 that is adding to the oxygen atmosphere inside the reactor receptacle. The explosion observed in all three reactors is now a violent recombination of hydrogen and oxygen in a mixed atmosphere: 2 H2 + O2 => 2 H2O This formation of water H2O from the gaseous elements hydrogen and oxygen can be triggered off by any spark inside the reactor casing. Such spark might be generated by the electric system of the reactor or by accumulation of electric charge in the moving mechanical parts of the facility. Unfortunately, hydrogen molecules H2 are of a very low size that makes it possible to them to "tunnel" through any regular building material. Hence, the exlosion can take place anywhere inside the reactor building what makes it difficult to determine the actual damage of such explosion from the outside. Only an increased amount of radiation leaked from the reactor building can therefore be a sign for possible damage to the inner or outer receptacle of the reactor's core.
A short description of the development at the Japanese nuclear power plant that lead to the present situation of two reactors being exploded and probable core melting. The documentation is followed by further news from the area that has been devastated by earthquake and tsunami. NHK World TV, Tokyo, on March 14, 2011, 19:00 GMT.
According to Japanese authorities the radiation level near the exploded reactor 1 could be described by an equivalent dose of 50 µSv (micro- Sievert) which is generally regarded as rather harmless. In comparison with a value of 50 mSv per year which is the German standard limit for occupational exposure to ionizing radiation, that measured value can be interpreted as follows: 50 mSv or 50.000 µSv per year is equal to 50.000 : 200 = 250 µSv per day (on 200 days of work!) or 250 : 24 = 10,4 µSv per hour.
Therefore, one might hold the measured 50 µSv to be an acceptable dose under the present circumstances of an exploded reactor.
Yet, it should be stressed that the equivalent dose H is by definition including a factor q intended to weigh the influence of the kind of radiation observed: X-rays, alpha-, beta- or gamma radiation with different wavelength or energy ( short wavelength means high energy ).
equivalent dose: H = q x D with D = energy dose [J/kg] and q = "1" (usual setting for the weighting factor)
Now, the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of radiation is known to differ in a range of about one order of magnitude depending of her energy. That leads to the necessity of determination what kind of radiation is present and refixing of the weighting factor q. A study made at the German university of Marburg has come to the conclusion that the standard weighting factor of one has to be reduced at least by a factor of 50-60. Same goes for the standard equivalent dose which must be reduced equally from 50 mSv per year to 1 mSv for occupational exposure. For public exposure a reduction from 1 mSv per year to 0,02 mSv per year has to be considered.
The proposed limit of 0,02 mSv per year for public exposure is equivalent to 20 µSv per year. Now compare these " 20 µSv per year " to the 50 µSv measured at the Japanese power plant at "time zero" after the explosion !
As we can assume that a broad variety of isotopes is leaving a broken reactor, and that such isotopes are falling apart by emitting different kinds of radiation, the real long-term danger to the public cannot be predicted. The measured isotopes of 137-Caesium for example are decaying by emission of some kind of beta-radiation that is usually regarded as especially harmful to human tissue.
By the way, many years ago I had been in charge of radiation security for my working group which includes a special preparation course to be finished with an examination. Such are the requirements in my country. Therefore, you can believe that I still know what I am talking about.
Next are the evening news of NHK World, Tokyo, recorded on March 13, 2011, 18:00 GMT:
UPDATE for the same day: 1. Reactor 1 of the damaged nuclear plant exploded => Refer to the attached video with latest news from NHK World, Tokyo, 17:30 GMT.
Leakage of radioactivity after the explosion of the Japanese reactor: تسرب لإشعاعات نووية من المفاعل الياباني بعد انفجاره According to a German scientist, allegedly dealing with the research on possible failure of nuclear power plants, all earlier published news of an increase in radioactive Caesium emission prior to the explosion should have already been interpreted as the beginning of a devastating nuclear core melting. [Source: German radio news]
After the explosion, the outer receptacle of the reactor seems to be damaged. It was used to pump in seawater in order to cool the inner receptacle with its primary cooling system that did not work sufficiently after the earthquake. Even though the inner receptacle ( which contains the nuclear core ) did not explode, it could be damaged and, therefore, leak radioactivity. Even if it were fully intact, some radioactivity always present in the outer receptacle could now easily leak into the environment. By the way, the Japanese authorities classified the accident as belonging to the category 4 on a scale that reaches from 0 to 7.
2. Libya: Unexpected approval of the Arab League for the temporary installation of a no-fly zone under United Nations control. This was announced by secretary-general Moussa and the foreign minister of Oman (photo). The day before, Britain and France had already stated their firm will to establish such zone if they were able to find sufficient international support. Even U.S. president Obama did not rule out the option of a military intervention in Libya. Within the European Union, only Germany refused its support of a no-fly zone at this time because of the risks involved.
French president Sarkozy (left) and German chancellor Frau Merkel (right): As to the probability of an earthquake to happen, Japan and the South East Asian maritime regions are among the highest-ranking places on earth. This is due to three tectonic plates that are meeting each other in that region: The Eurasian Plate, the Philippine Plate and the Pacific Plate. Their indepen- dent moves are causing an enormous tectonic stress that is finally giving way to an eruption of energy shaking the earth and creating abnormally huge waves.
Even though, Japan is used to such calamities of nature, the resulting damage cannot be predicted. At least one nuclear reactor finds itself in a dange- rous condition and has to be cooled down after being shut down with the help of additional cooling fluid brought in by the military.
The same situation can be observed in Indonesia where an earthquake of similar strength in 2004 killed more than a quarter million people. Even more difficult for a third world nation to handle the consequences. Yet Indonesia is additionally haunted by volcanic activity as the country is built on a chain of volcanoes that is connecting Sumatra and Java, its main islands, with Bali and the Northern parts of New Guinea. Especially in the central region of Java, a densely populated island, Merapi Mountain has inflicted heavy damage on the infrastructure in recent years.
In comparison, Japan's main islands are relatively free from imminent danger of a volcanic eruption as the volcanoes to be found here are not active any longer. While in the central region of Indonesia's most important island of Java the fumes of vaporized sulphur are locally emerging from under the earth, the glowing minerals lying only some centimeters away from the surface, Japan seemed to be more secure and better adapted to natural disaster. But with a power plant at the brink of a nuclear disaster, even the huge economic power of Japan and the discipline of its people might not be able to cope with the forces of an unwilling nature.
This morning, the international news program of Al-Jazeera included a special report from the front line by their correspondent Jacky Rowland at Ras Lanuf. Even though Ras Lanuf is held by the rebels, there are bomb raids and mortar attacks directed at the oil installations. With grenades flying over her head, Mrs. Rowland seems to be closer to war than any other correspondent. The video below begins with the daily news.
مراسل الجزيرة بجبهة القتال في منطقة صناعية نفطية من راس لانوف
مصطفى عبد الجليل, رئيس المجلس الإنتقالي الوطني المؤقت في البيطاء: لن نلاحق القذافي قضائيا اذا تنحى خلال 72 ساعة و توقف القصف Mustafa Abad-al-Djalil [picture above], President of the Temporary National Council of Transition at al-Baida, announced: "We will not prosecute Gadafi if he abdicates within 72 hours and stops the bomb raids."
مراسل الجزيرة: مدينة الزاوية محاصرة و تشهد عمليات كرو فر بين كتائب القذافي و الثوار A correspondent of Al-Jazeera reported that the town of Zaouia [West of Tripolis] is being besieged and alternating [military] operations have been observed between Gadafi's units and the rebels.
قناصة من كتائب القذافي تقنص مدنيين وسط مدينة الزاوية غربي ليبيا Snipers from Gadafi's units are shooting at civilians in the center of al-Zaouia city in Western Libya.
الكتائب الأمنية تقتحم بعض المنازل بمنطقة أولاد عمارة في الزاوية و تقتل ساكنيها بمن فيهم النساء Security units are [pushing forward against] some dwellings in a region prospering with children in al-Zaouia and are killing its inhabitants also including the women.
مراسل الجزيرة: قصف الثوار براجمات صواريخ و مدفعية ثقيلة قرب بن جواد A correspondent of Al-Jazeera reported that rebels were under fire of rocket-launchers and heavy artillery near Ben Jawad [West of Ras Lanuf].
مراسل الجزيرة: وصول عشرات الجرحى من الثوار إلى مستشفى راس لانوف A correspondent of Al-Jazeera reported that dozens of wounded rebels arrived at a clinic in Ras Lanuf.
مراسل الجزيرة: المجلس الوطني يطلب من الثوار التوقف عن التقدم غربا حتى وصول الجيش A correspondent of Al-Jazeera reported that the National Assembly [of Transition] has requested the rebels to stop their advance to the West until the arrival of the army.
British Air Force Bases that could maintain a Flight Prohibition Zone: ليبيا: فرض منطقة حظر جوي Libya - Possibility of a Flight Prohibition Zone وزير خارجية بريطانيا يقول إن منطقة الحظر الجوي على ليبيا واقعية و عملية و ممكنة British Foreign Minister declares that a flight prohibition zone over Libya is "realistic, practicable and possible".
A recent estimation of power for the Libyan Air Force:
رويترز: الثوار الليبيون يسيطرون بالكامل على مدينة مصراته بعد صد هجوم من كتائب القذافي "According to Reuters [news agency] Libyan rebels are in control of the whole town of Misrata after throwing back an attack [launched] by Gadafi's units." [Al-Jazeera]
CNN reported that government troops at Misrata were thrown back despite being well equipped with tanks and artillery.
According to CNN and Al-Jazeera, the region between Brega and Ras Lanuf, most important for the shipping of all East Libyan crude oil is now under control of the insurgent forces. Meanwhile, rebel forces are sticked at Bin-Jawad on their way to Sirte, held up by Gadafi units that are heavily armed with tanks and artillery.
At the same time in Tripolis, desinformed citizens in favour of Gadafi are celebrating his alleged "victory" at Misrata and Ras Lanuf, - a ghostly scene.
Map of Libyan oil fields and pipelines. [Arabic names inserted for comparison by Ulysses]
Near Benghazi, the explosion of an ammunition depot three days ago has been related to a pro-Gadafi attack by witnesses cited by CNN. At the time, Al-Jazeera reported it as some kind of accident without certain evidence of enemy involvement. Therefore, I didn't include it in my daily news report. Nevertheless the nightly pictures of ambulances carrying away the dead and the wounded can still be watched on the attached Al-Jazeera video.
Further News of the Day:
EGYPT:
مراقبون: بعض مسؤولي جهاز أمن الدولة متهمون بالانخراط في أعمال تجارية مشبوهة و أنشطة فساد "Controlling [commission]: Certain responsible [within] the national security system have been accused of being involved in [dubious] commercial operations as well as corruption."
LEBANON:
Protesters demand a secular state that is free from religious obligation. As Lebanon is a multi-religious state, there are restrictions to the distribution of important positions in government and parliament which have to be allocated according to religion of the candidate.
OMAN:
After public unrest: Sultan released three cabinet ministers.
مصادر طبية في الزاوية: قتلى و جرحى بالعشرات جراء هجوم كتائب القذافي According to medical personnel in al-Zaouia الزاوية, dozens were wounded or died [while braving] an attack of Gadafi's units. [al-Zaouia: Town on the outskirts of Tripolis طرابلس in North- West Libya. Refer to the first map below.]
Tombstone of a fighter who died in al-Zaouia during the battle between insurgents and tanks deployed by Gadafi's special units:
Insurgents defeated the Gadafi units at Ras Lanuf راس لانوف and are now moving towards al-Sidra and Sirte سرت. [Ras Lanuf: Place of fierce fighting for the last 24 hours, inserted in one of the following maps (North-East Libya) and marked with a red arrow.] [Sirte: Town on the road to Tripolis in Nort-West Libya and Gadafi's birth place. => Gulf of Sirte]
CNN News: Insurgents at Ras Lanuf pretend having downed a Suchoi bomber, the remainings of which are scattered over the battle field (above).
الإنتربول يصدر تحذيرا دوليا بشأن خطورة القذافي و 15 من عائلته و أعوانه Interpol has released an international alert concerning imminent danger from Gadafi and 15 [members] of his family and his helpers.
The Interpol request consists of different notes on different subjects involved. Here are only two of them, characterized by their vague style, which I tried to reconstruct from the Arabic version.
Red Note: [This note] brings about a request on the conditions of arrest of persons on the run and being sought after on the purpose of [their] extradition to [certain] countries [on behalf of such countries' security sources]. .....
Blue Note: Request of additional information on a person related with criminal activity.
There is also a "Green Note", a "Yellow Note" and a "Black Note" from Interpol.
سعود الفيصل يطالب بتدخل عربي في ليبيا من أجل المساعدات بديلأ عن التدخل الأجنبي العسكري Saud al-Faisal (*) is demanding an Arabic intervention in Libya ment as a support [in the presence of] an intervention of foreign military. * Saud al-Faisal = Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia and nephew of the present King Abdullah
مدينة البيضاء تتحول إلى مركز استقبال المساعدات الإنسانية و التواصل مع مختلف المدن الليبية The town of al-Baida (*) changes into a center for the reception of humanitarian help and [distribution] to different towns of Libya. * al-Baida = Coastal town in the eastern part of Libya
سفينتا إنزال أميركيتان تعبران قناة السويس للتمركز قرب السواحل الليبية Two U.S. ships passing the Suez Canal to concentrate near Libya.
أ.ف.ب.: وزراء الخارجية العرب يرفضون كافة اشكال التدخل الأجنبي في ليبيا AFP (*) says that the foreign ministers of Arab [countries] reject all forms of foreign intervention in Libya. (*) AFP = Agence France Press reporting from the present Kairo meeting of the Arab League
الثوار في مدن ليبية: قرار توجيه ضربة جوية لكتائب القذافي يجب ألا يتخذ دون العودة للثوار Protesters in Libyan towns [insist that] any decision to direct an air strike [against] Gadafi's units must necessarily go together with a return of rebels.
Day 14 of Uprising in Libya:
Gadafi's Military Power:
Chemical ammunition found by rebels / Gadafi palace destroyed in al-Baida:
Photo of a gas grenade for chemical warfare, presented among other ammunition by a member of the newly founded rebel unit:
عبد الحفيظ غوقة المتحدث الرسمي باسم المجلس الوطني الانتقالي Abad al-Hafiz Ruqa Official speaker of the national assembly of transition.
Photos from Benghazi military air base:
كاميرا الجزيرة تدخل قاعدة بنينة الجوية في بنغازي بعد انحيازها إلى الثورة الشعبية [Photos taken] by Al-Jazeera on the arrival at the air base of Benghazi after [its staff] joined the people's uprising.
Benghazi runway protected by anti-aircraft gun:
Palace of the Gadafi family taken:
صور لكاميرا الجزيرة في قصر للقذافي بمدينة البيضاء تظهر سردابا محصنا ضد هجمات نووية Pictures taken by Al-Jazeera in Gadafi's palace in the town of al- Baida are showing a fortified atomic bunker in the souterrain.
Bunker facility for the control of electricity and water supply, the ventilation system and a particle filter, installed by a Swiss company that is using parts provided by a U.S. company in Michigan. The controlling facility has been tested only some weeks ago:
Gadafi's swimming pool:
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