One of the “crucial” units to decontaminate toxic wastewater at the Fukushima nuclear power plant was shut off Sunday after a leak of hydrochloric acid was found.
According to a statement by the Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), hydrochloric acid—which is used to neutralize contaminated alkaline water—was found seeping from a pipe joint in one of three Advanced Liquid Processing System units. Thus far, roughly one liter of the acid has collected in a vinyl bag wrapped around the pipe joint to contain the leakage.
The units, according to Agence France-Presse, are “expected to play a crucial role” in the treatment of “huge amounts” of contaminated water that have accumulated at the site since the crisis began in March 2011.
The leaking unit is one of two that had been in trial operation and was scheduled to go into full operation Sunday.
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