Surface Transport of Technical Waters from Fukushima NPP to the South Kuril Fishing Zone

This study explores the potential for the penetration of technical waters from the Fukushima nuclear power plant (Fukushima NPP) into the fishing areas of Russia. Using a Lagrangian approach, which examines the advection of a large number of passive markers simulating waters released from the Fukushima NPP, the typical transport pathways to the South Kuril Islands are investigated, and an estimate of the time of such transport is provided. Calculations are conducted using satellite-derived and modelled velocity fields for the test year from August 24, 2022, to August 24, 2023. This study focuses on the advection of Lagrangian markers and highlights the potential for the rapid arrival of them from the Fukushima NPP into the southern Kuril region. This article emphasizes the importance of considering the seasonal variability in Kuroshio meandering and the impact of local mesoscale vortex advection related to the propagation of Lagrangian markers from the Fukushima NPP.