the problem now at the fukushima nuclear plant

The Japanese appear to have gotten themselves into a bit of a difficult position.

Because all normal cooling capabilities were destroyed or damaged by the Earthquake/ tsunami, the reactors started heating up.

So in order to cool the reactors and to prevent a meltdown, the Japanese were forced to pour/ spray seawater and subsequently freshwater into the reactors to cool them down.

However, as the damaged plants were already leaking radiation at the time, all the water sprayed/ poured into the reactors became contaminated with radiation.

Now, because the water surrounding the reactors contains high levels of radiation, no one can get close enough to fix the reactors normal cooling systems.

Because they can't fix the cooling systems, they have to keep pouring/ spraying water into the reactors and the water again gets contaminated and prevents them from getting close to the reactors again!!

The problem now is how long this can go on for as the more water they use to cool the reactors, the more contaminated water they are going to accumulate and they can't keep pouring it into the sea forever (at least I hope not!!!).

No idea how they are going to solve this problem but the biggest worry is that the Japanese themselves have admitted that they have no idea as well!!!

Maybe some hotcopperites can suggest a solution :)