A shocking discovery of radiation linked to Japan’s failed Fukashima’s nuclear reactor off the California coast. Kelp normally contains a radioactive isotope of iodine 131 and has a half life of 8 days and it is not harmful. The concern arose on a scientists hunch to test samples before and after and discovered the potentially damaging radioactive isotope Cesium 137 in kelp found near UC Santa Barbra and UC Santa Cruz. The cause for concern is that the half life Cesium 137 is 30 years, which has gotten into the bio mass of plants and animals off the California coast. It is predicted that the radioactive particles released from the broken nuclear reactors in Japan drifted in the clouds of the storm front that hit California’s coast shortly after the disaster. Concentrations of the radioactive kelp were found near drain off areas that led into the ocean after the rains before the sea water could dilute the particles. It is uncertain of what effects the radiation may have on the people that feed off of the fish and crustaceans that feed off the kelp. An unfortunate certainty is that the radioactive particles released following the earthquake, tsunami, and meltdown of the Fukashima Daichi nuclear reactor will be around for another 29 years with unknown potential for measurable detrimental effects.
Source: Laguna Beach Patch, April 11, 2012
Article title: Fish Off Laguna Beach May Have Ingested Radioactive Kelp After Fukushima, Study Finds
Editor: Rich Kane
Faculty Evaluator: Dr. David Crocker,
Student Researcher: David Dippe: Sonoma state University