A public agency applying next-generation science to aquatic ecosystems management - Since 1969 - Southern California Coastal Water Research Project

SCCWRP's response to COVID-19: Read the full statement

Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia

Researchers are documenting how corrosive coastal ocean conditions and low dissolved oxygen levels threaten the health of marine food webs.

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Bioanalytical Cell Screening Assays

Researchers are investigating how to adapt cell bioassays as a cost-effective screening tool to improve monitoring of bioactive chemical contaminants in aquatic systems.

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Harmful Algal Blooms

SCCWRP and its research partners are examining how to mitigate the proliferation of ecologically disruptive blooms in aquatic systems that threaten the health of wildlife and humans.

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The Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) is an aquatic sciences research institute that works to improve management of aquatic systems in Southern California and beyond. Since its founding as an intergovernmental public agency in 1969, SCCWRP has been developing strategies, tools and technologies that the region’s water-quality management community relies on to more effectively protect and enhance the ecological health of Southern California’s coastal ocean and the watersheds that drain to it. As an R&D agency, SCCWRP’s reputation is built on conducting research and translating this science into actionable guidance and recommendations that inform management decision-making and policy development.
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SCCWRP Commission meeting -
SCCWRP Commission meeting -
SCCWRP Commission meeting -
SCCWRP Commission meeting -
SCCWRP Commission meeting -

Kessouri, F., L. Renault, J.C. McWilliams, P. Damien, D. Bianchi. 2022. Enhancement of Oceanic Eddy Activity by Fine-Scale Orographic Winds Drives High Productivity, Low Oxygen, and Low pH Conditions in the Santa Barbara Channel. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans DOI:10.1029/2022JC018947.

Thornton Hampton, L.M., S.M. Brander, S. Coffin, M. Cole, L. Hermabessiere, A.A. Koelmans, C.M. Rochman. 2022. Characterizing microplastic hazards: which concentration metrics and particle characteristics are most informative for understanding toxicity in aquatic organisms?. Microplastics and Nanoplastics DOI:10.1186/s43591-022-00040-4.

Mazor, R.D., B. Topping, T.L. Nadeau, K.M. Fritz, J. Kelso. 2022. Development and Evaluation of the Beta Streamflow Duration Assessment Method for the Western Mountains: Data Supplement. Technical Report 1222.B. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Washington, D.C..

Cheng, Y., D.A. Vaccari, B.G. Johannesson, E. Fassman-Beck. 2022. Multiyear Study on Phosphorus Discharge from Extensive Sedum Green Roofs with Substrate Amendments. Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment DOI:10.1061/JSWBAY.0000999.