BERKELEY (KCBS) – Scientists studying the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster, following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, are now looking at kelp along the west coast, to gauge whether trace amounts of radiation released into the Pacific Ocean can be detected three years later.

“Kelp Watch 2014” is a scientific campaign launched by UC Berkeley Department of Nuclear Engineering Professors Kai Vetter and Keenan Thomas, who joined forces with Professor Steven Manley from California State University, Long Beach.