All news related to Emerging Contaminants

Study launched to evaluate collection methods for microplastics in drinking water

SCCWRP and its partners have launched a study comparing the performance of two methods for collecting drinking water samples in preparation for measuring their microplastics content – a key step ... More

Lab accreditation agencies trained on bioassay methods for fish

Assessors who accredit environmental laboratories in California received training in testing requirements and data quality issues associated with a suite of commonly used fish bioassay toxicity tests during a three-day ... More

Regional BMP monitoring program adds monitoring sites in second year of BMP performance monitoring

The Southern California Stormwater Monitoring Coalition (SMC) has expanded the number of structural BMPs where field teams are collecting data on the performance of structural stormwater BMPs as the SMC ... More

Bight ’23 shellfish study to benefit 4 study elements

The 2023 cycle of the Southern California Bight Regional Monitoring Program has launched a year-long investigation to comprehensively track the accumulation of multiple different types of contaminants in shellfish – ... More

SMC studies being used to investigate BMPs’ potential to remove microplastics in runoff

SCCWRP and its partners have initiated a pair of studies exploring the potential of different types of stormwater BMPs to reduce microplastics pollution in runoff – with both studies leveraging ... More

First experiment completed for study seeking to close knowledge gaps in microplastics exposure data

SCCWRP and its partners have completed the first of two exposure experiments for a two-year toxicity study working to close knowledge gaps in how aquatic life are adversely affected by ... More

Field sampling completed for Bight ’23 Sediment Quality element

The Southern California Bight 2023 Regional Monitoring Program has completed field sampling for its signature Sediment Quality study element – a coordinated, three-month field effort that lays the foundation for ... More

Study launched to expand use of bioanalytical cell assays for more aquatic matrices

SCCWRP and its partners have launched an intercalibration exercise to evaluate laboratories’ proficiency using bioanalytical cell assays to detect contaminants in surface water, stormwater, seawater and other aquatic matrices. The ... More

Bight ’23 field sampling underway to evaluate sediment quality

The 2023 cycle of the Southern California Bight Regional Monitoring Program has kicked off field sampling of coastal seafloor sediment to evaluate the chemical, toxicological and biological health of Southern ... More

Bight ’23 using newly standardized methods to analyze microplastics in sediment and shellfish

The Trash and Microplastics study element of the Southern California Bight 2023 Regional Monitoring Program is leveraging newly standardized methods for collecting and measuring microplastic particles to conduct a regional ... More

Expert panel affirms California’s CEC management strategy is working

An advisory panel of international scientific experts that has been working to review California’s management strategy for monitoring CECs (contaminants of emerging concern) in aquatic environments has concluded that California ... More

Effort underway to more than double size of microplastics toxicity database

SCCWRP and its partners have begun working to nearly double the size of a public, web-based repository of toxicity data that summarizes the health effects of microplastics exposure on humans ... More

Microplastics added as focal point in SMC street sweeping study

Researchers will investigate the effectiveness of street sweeping in removing microplastics that enter storm drains and contribute to runoff pollution as part of a newly launched Southern California Stormwater Monitoring ... More

Effort launched to standardize microplastics sampling methods

A group of international microplastics experts convened by SCCWRP has begun working to standardize the methods that California is using to collect environmental samples in preparation for measuring their microplastics ... More

Effort underway to begin closing gaps in microplastics exposure data

SCCWRP and its partners have begun working to close knowledge gaps in how aquatic life are adversely affected by exposure to microplastics pollution, following the release of a statewide microplastics ... More

California’s experiences with bioanalytical screening included in new international guidance documents

California’s recent experiences incorporating bioanalytical screening technology into recycled-water monitoring programs are prominently featured in a newly developed set of international guidance documents intended to promote adoption of the technology ... More

SOPs developed to enable laboratory accreditors to evaluate proficiency at measuring microplastics

SCCWRP has completed development of a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will enable California’s Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) to evaluate laboratories’ proficiency at measuring microplastics levels in ... More

Special journal issue highlights new scientific tools to support microplastics management

An initial set of scientific products and health thresholds that could form the technical underpinnings for how California protects aquatic life and humans from exposure to microplastics pollution is featured ... More

Bight ’18 study shows how bioanalytical screening can be used to monitor sediment contamination

SCCWRP and its partners have completed a three-year effort to demonstrate how bioanalytical screening technology can be incorporated into the Southern California Bight 2018 Regional Monitoring Program to help track ... More

Standardized microplastics monitoring methods introduced to accreditation agencies

SCCWRP hosted a three-day workshop in April to introduce laboratory accreditation agencies to California’s newly developed draft methods for measuring microplastics in drinking water, including how to evaluate laboratories for ... More

SCCWRP helps establish basis for microplastics management

A series of international SCCWRP-facilitated scientific studies and workshops over the past year examining how to better monitor and understand microplastics contamination is helping to form the scientific foundation for ... More

Study examines feasibility of using human cyanotoxin thresholds to protect aquatic life

SCCWRP and its partners have completed an initial investigation into whether existing cyanotoxin thresholds intended to protect the health of humans exposed to cyanotoxins in freshwater systems also could be ... More

Bioanalytical screening expands to San Gabriel, Santa Ana watersheds

SCCWRP and its partners have analyzed an initial set of water samples collected from the San Gabriel River and Santa Ana River watersheds using bioanalytical screening tools – a major ... More

Consensus reached on how to set thresholds for aquatic life exposed to microplastics

A group of international experts on aquatic microplastics pollution has reached consensus on a recommended framework that California could use to implement health-based thresholds that explain when microplastics contamination at ... More

Effort launched to link glucocorticoid receptor bioassay to biological impacts in fish

SCCWRP and its partners completed an initial round of lab experiments in March for a study investigating how the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) assay could be used to provide an early-warning ... More

Methods to be standardized for 3 additional bioanalytical screening tools

SCCWRP and its partners have launched a two-year effort to develop standardized methods for screening water bodies for bioactive chemical contaminants using three bioanalytical screening tools – an effort to ... More

International study to inform State microplastics policy

The State Water Resources Control Board has begun working to develop a draft policy requiring microplastics to be monitored in drinking water following an international, SCCWRP-facilitated study that evaluated multiple ... More

Researchers reviewing data from international microplastics measurement methods study

An international team of researchers working to develop standardized methods for measuring microplastic particles in aquatic environments has begun meeting to review the results of a recent laboratory intercalibration study ... More

Non-targeted analysis used to detect bioactive contaminants in Bight ’18 sediment

SCCWRP and its partners have completed screening sediment samples collected during the Southern California Bight 2018 Regional Monitoring Program for contaminants using non-targeted chemical analysis. The work, completed in December, ... More

Study illustrates power of non-targeted analysis to help identify toxic chemicals

A team of researchers that includes SCCWRP has completed a high-profile, first-of-its-kind case study demonstrating how to use an analytical method known as non-targeted chemical analysis to help identify specific ... More

Study to build foundational understanding of microplastics pollution in two major rivers

SCCWRP and its partners are initiating a three-year study to identify the levels, types and distribution of microplastics in two major Southern California rivers – part of a broader effort ... More

Effort to link bioassays to biological impacts in fish expands to San Gabriel River

SCCWRP and its partners have expanded their effort to understand how bioanalytical cell screening technology can be used to provide early evidence that chemical contaminants in river water are potentially ... More

Workshop convened to develop expert consensus on microplastics health effects

SCCWRP and its partners have convened a multi-part science workshop to build international expert consensus on the health-based thresholds at which microplastics of different sizes, shapes and compositions can be ... More

New passive sampling approach developed to measure cyanotoxins in freshwater systems

SCCWRP and its partners have shown in a proof-of-concept study that a newer, more experimental form of passive sampling technology known as o-DGT can be used reliably to measure levels ... More

Initial round of bioanalytical screening completed for Bight ’18 sediment, fish samples

SCCWRP and its partners have completed screening Southern California Bight sediment and fish tissue samples for chemical contaminants that activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor – the first of three bioanalytical ... More

Panel develops recommendations for managing vegetation without glyphosate

An expert advisory panel convened by SCCWRP to explore options for managing vegetation in Los Angeles County without using the herbicide glyphosate has developed a set of recommended alternative strategies. ... More

First phase completed for study examining fate of bioactive CECs from treated wastewater effluent

SCCWRP and the Orange County Sanitation District have completed the first phase of analysis for a one-year study examining whether bioactive chemical contaminants persist at detectable levels after being discharged ... More

Non-targeted analysis to be tested in Ventura County source tracking study

SCCWRP has launched a study with Ventura County exploring how the unique chemical patterns inside storm drains might be used to identify and track sources of human fecal contamination in ... More

International study kicks off to standardize microplastics monitoring methods

SCCWRP and its partners have launched an international study to develop standardized methods for measuring microplastic particles in aquatic environments, an effort that has the potential to improve the accuracy ... More

Guidance prepared on how to use bioanalytical assays to screen for contaminants

SCCWRP has partnered with the National Water Research Institute (NWRI) to co-author guidance for California’s water recycling community on how to incorporate bioanalytical screening technology into routine water-quality monitoring. The ... More

Study to evaluate performance of film-based passive samplers for measuring microcystins

SCCWRP and its partners have launched a two-year study to evaluate the performance of novel, film-based passive sampling technology for measuring a class of cyanotoxins known as microcystins. The passive ... More

Film-based passive sampling for tracking cyanotoxins to be evaluated at L.A.-area lakes

SCCWRP and its partners have identified at least two Los Angeles-area lakes where a class of cyanotoxins known as microcystins appears to be present, paving the way for researchers to ... More

Bight ’18 sediment, fish samples to be screened using bioanalytical assays

SCCWRP and its partners in June will begin screening sediment and sportfish tissue samples collected from across the Southern California Bight for bioactive chemical contaminants using bioanalytical screening assays. More ... More

SCCWRP aiding effort to transfer bioanalytical assay technology to end users

SCCWRP has been working to build the California water-quality management community’s capacity to screen for bioactive contaminants using bioanalytical cell assays, a response to a State Water Board decision to ... More

Study to explore potentially cheaper, more precise methods for quantifying cyanotoxins in lakes, streams

SCCWRP and its partners have launched a three-year study to evaluate potentially cheaper, more precise sampling and analysis methods for tracking cyanotoxin levels in streams and lakes in the Los ... More

First large-scale CEC screening study targeting marine environment incorporated into Bight ’18

Bioanalytical cell screening assays and non-targeted chemical analysis are being used for the first time to screen for CECs across the Southern California Bight as part of an expanded Bight ... More

Discussions underway on how to implement proposed recycled water policy

Water recycling agencies and State Water Board staff have begun discussing how to implement a proposed statewide policy that would require recycled water to be monitored using bioanalytical cell screening ... More

Effort launched to better characterize linkage between bioassays and biological impacts in fish

SCCWRP and its partners are launching a new round of exploratory work on bioanalytical cell screening technology to better understand how these assays can be adapted to provide early evidence ... More

Bight ’18 keeps focus on key issues of management concern

More than 80 environmental agencies will examine new and emerging developments in water-quality science and management during the 2018 cycle of the Southern California Bight Regional Monitoring Program, which initiates ... More

CEC panel informs proposed update to recycled water policy

The State Water Board will consider updating California’s policy on monitoring contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in recycled water as early as this year based on the findings of an ... More

Expert panel updates recommendations for monitoring CECs in recycled water

An expert advisory panel convened by SCCWRP on behalf of the State Water Board to update recommendations for monitoring CECs in recycled water has released its final draft report. The ... More

Laboratory-based passive-sampling method used to measure sediment contamination

SCCWRP and its partners have successfully used prototype passive-sampling methods in a laboratory to measure the freely dissolved concentrations of organic contaminants in sediment. Unlike previous applications of passive-sampling technology ... More

Initial testing completed for using bioanalytical assays to screen for CECs

SCCWRP and its partners have shown in a pair of initial studies that bioanalytical screening tools have the potential to be used to screen receiving waters across California for CECs. ... More

Passive samplers retrieved from Channel Islands for international oceanic pollutants study

SCCWRP and its partners in August successfully retrieved two sets of passive sampling arrays that were deployed over a two-month period near the Channel Islands to help establish baseline concentrations ... More

Fish exposed to flowing river water to monitor for biological changes

SCCWRP and its partners exposed fish to flowing Los Angeles River water for two weeks in September as part of a pilot study examining potential biological impacts from exposure to ... More

Preliminary testing completed for L.A. River fish flow-through study

SCCWRP and its partners have completed preliminary testing for a field study that involves exposing fish to flowing river water in real time to study potential biological impacts from exposure ... More

Bioassays show promise for CEC screening in SMC study

SCCWRP and its partners have demonstrated in a proof-of-concept study that commercially available bioanalytical tools have the potential to cost-effectively screen Southern California waterways for the presence of bioactive contaminants ... More

CEC advisory panel reconvened to update recommendations for recycled water monitoring

SCCWRP has reconvened an expert advisory panel at the behest of the State Water Board to develop an updated set of recommendations for monitoring CECs in recycled water. During a ... More

International passive sampling study to examine persistent organic pollutants in Channel Islands

SCCWRP in June will deploy a series of passive sampling arrays in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary to measure persistent organic pollutants (POPs), part of an international effort to ... More

International passive sampling study to examine persistent organic pollutants in Channel Islands

SCCWRP in June will deploy a series of passive sampling arrays in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary to measure persistent organic pollutants (POPs), part of an international effort to ... More

SCCWRP-developed CEC monitoring framework highlighted at State Water Board meeting

State Water Board members explored multiple approaches being taken to improve CEC monitoring statewide during an informational meeting agenda item in February. Some of the presentations they heard at the ... More

SCCWRP research featured at S.D. Regional Board workshop on monitoring technologies

Next-generation environmental monitoring technologies being developed by SCCWRP and its research partners were featured at an April workshop hosted by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board that focused ... More

Sediment samples being analyzed to test CEC monitoring framework

SCCWRP and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County have begun analyzing sediment samples collected from across two regions of California for a pilot study that will test-drive a new, ... More

Flow-through units being deployed along L.A. River to study CECs’ impacts on fish

SCCWRP and its partners will expose fish to flowing Los Angeles River water in real time this spring as part of an on-site study examining potential biological impacts to fish ... More

Promising passive sampling device developed to detect fipronil in receiving waters

SCCWRP and its partners have identified a promising, cost-effective passive sampling method for detecting the ubiquitous pesticide fipronil in receiving waters. The passive sampling method for this problematic, high-priority CEC ... More

Sampling completed for L.A.-area evaluation of bioassay effectiveness for CEC screening

SCCWRP and its partners have completed sampling of river water in the Los Angeles region for a study assessing the effectiveness of cell-based bioassays to screen for CECs. Water samples ... More

Study: Cell bioassays could be effective at screening for potential harm in fish

SCCWRP and its partners at the University of Florida have demonstrated in a proof-of-concept study that biological assays built with engineered human cells have the potential to be effective at ... More

SMC samples advance to nontargeted analysis phase of CEC monitoring framework

SCCWRP and its collaborators have advanced some of the 31 water samples collected by the Southern California Stormwater Monitoring Coalition (SMC) to the nontargeted phase of chemical analysis, a recognition ... More

SCCWRP working to adapt passive sampling technology to monitor CECs in sediment

SCCWRP in January launched a two-year effort to adapt commercially available passive sampling devices to measure the freely dissolved concentration (Cfree) of CECs in sediment. Passive sampling devices consist of ... More

Gene expression patterns of fish change in response to pollutant exposure, study shows

SCCWRP has found that the gene expression patterns of the hornyhead turbot change as they are exposed to different chemical pollutants at different concentrations, a proof-of-concept finding that reveals how ... More

Pilot study launched to test SCCWRP’s new CEC monitoring framework statewide

SCCWRP has launched a three-year pilot study to evaluate its newly developed CEC monitoring framework across Southern California watersheds, an effort to understand how to effectively apply the framework to ... More