Study Finds Radioactive Kelp off the Coast of California

A study conducted by CSULB two professors, and grad students found radioactive kelp off the coast of Calif. after the devastating earthquake in Japan damaged the nuclear reactors last year.

Photo taken at the Aquarium of the Pacific

Professors Steven Manley, and Chris Lowe conducted the study about a month after the nuclear waste was released into the atmosphere and the seawater. Professor Manley said, “kelp is the ideal testing subject because the canopy is not only affected by the water, but the radioactive material in the air also lands on the top. Kelp is like a sponge for the material we were looking for.”    

The sample kelp was taken from seven different locations up and down the coast places like, Corona Del Mar, Monterey Bay, Palos Verdes, an several places in Orange County.

In Corona Del Mar the level of radioactivity was 250 times higher that it should be, making it the highest radioactive material. Manly said this could be due to a few things, the first is the weather pattern. If the rain was heavier in the area when the radioactive material was in the atmosphere, the next possibility is the run off from Huntington Beach, which flushes all the material right into the canopies.

Graphic Art’s student, Tatiana Maldonado said ”I’d be worried that the radioactivity could harm not only people but also the animals in the ocean.” This concern, although valid, is unnecessary. The amount of radioactivity was small, and only has a half life of eight days, which means it was gone within a few weeks after the study.  

More studies are being performed to see if any other radio active material is present in the kelp.