– Record radioactivity level found at Fukushima plant well (Asahi Shimbun, Nov 12, 2013):
A record high level of 710,000 becquerels of beta-ray sources, such as radioactive strontium, was detected per liter of water in an observation well at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Nov. 12 the water was taken Nov. 10 at the well 10 meters north of a tank that leaked 300 tons of highly contaminated water before the problem was discovered in August.
The previous high reading of 550,000 becquerels per liter was found in water sampled Nov. 9 at the same well.
TEPCO said a new leak from the tank has not been confirmed. It said leaked radioactive water that has remained in the soil likely spread to the well.
TEPCO detected 400,000 becquerels per liter at the same well on Oct. 17. The level once fell but has been rising in recent days.