Levels of radioactive substances have surged in Japan's Pacific seabed, especially near the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, which was paralyzed by the earthquake and tsunami of last March, it was reported that the reactor operator.
"Samples collected from areas on the seabed which is situated about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Fukushima Daiichi NPP radiaktif containing cesium-138 of 1400 becquerels per kilogram," said Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).
Levels were 600 times higher than maximum levels in the past, namely 2.3 becquerels per kilogram, which was detected in the northeast of Fukushima Prefecture.
Samples taken on Friday that also contain levels of cesium-134 of 1300 becquerels and iodine-131 of 190 becquerels, according to TEPCO statement issued on Tuesday night, after the first analysis of the seabed since the disaster March 11.
According to TEPCO spokesman, levels of both compounds were too low to be measured in the past. The company did not say whether it considered dangerous levels.
Meanwhile, samples taken at another location, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the reactor also showed the same high levels of radiation. TEPCO said it will continue to check radiation levels.
"We can not say anything definite with a single proof. We will conduct the examination of more samples and keep track of," said the spokesman.
Samples taken from a depth of 20-30 meters (66-100 feet) about 3 kilometers from the coast. Fukushima nuclear power plant has released radiation into the air, land, and sea after suffering severe damage from a large earthquake and tsunami.
Group Greenpeace environmentalists, last Tuesday, started doing independent tests on samples of sea water around Japan's nuclear plants are paralyzed for radiation contamination.
"Samples will be collected outside the territorial waters 12 miles of Japan in accordance with government regulations," said Greenpeace.
"Samples collected from areas on the seabed which is situated about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the Fukushima Daiichi NPP radiaktif containing cesium-138 of 1400 becquerels per kilogram," said Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).
Levels were 600 times higher than maximum levels in the past, namely 2.3 becquerels per kilogram, which was detected in the northeast of Fukushima Prefecture.
Samples taken on Friday that also contain levels of cesium-134 of 1300 becquerels and iodine-131 of 190 becquerels, according to TEPCO statement issued on Tuesday night, after the first analysis of the seabed since the disaster March 11.
According to TEPCO spokesman, levels of both compounds were too low to be measured in the past. The company did not say whether it considered dangerous levels.
Meanwhile, samples taken at another location, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the reactor also showed the same high levels of radiation. TEPCO said it will continue to check radiation levels.
"We can not say anything definite with a single proof. We will conduct the examination of more samples and keep track of," said the spokesman.
Samples taken from a depth of 20-30 meters (66-100 feet) about 3 kilometers from the coast. Fukushima nuclear power plant has released radiation into the air, land, and sea after suffering severe damage from a large earthquake and tsunami.
Group Greenpeace environmentalists, last Tuesday, started doing independent tests on samples of sea water around Japan's nuclear plants are paralyzed for radiation contamination.
"Samples will be collected outside the territorial waters 12 miles of Japan in accordance with government regulations," said Greenpeace.
