I've heard some reports that the discharge went back into the sea but no confirmation. Normal plant operations release discharge back into waterways/sea but that type of discharge is normally exchanger/turbine with minimal to no contamination. Most of the "hot radioactive" water is kept captive for storage/disposal either on site or shipped offsite. The "hot" steam releases under normal operations are usually short duration and the isotopes(very low level) in those are short lived and dispersed quickly.
In the Fukushima situation, being that the heat levels have been very high, it's likely a good bit of the water being pumped in is turning into steam which isn't good either as it can carry isotopes/particulate matter airborne for some distance. This steam/discharge though is without a doubt highly contaminated from byproducts caused by core heat/melting.
PS, I am NOT a Nuclear Expert but in my line of work & past work, I have been through a good bit of related classroom and practical training on the subject matter. I'm sure I have forgotten more than was taught to me! No question it is a very complex & serious business(Nuclear Energy & Nuclear related industry).
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