All news related to Emerging Contaminants
SCCWRP coordinates post-fire aquatic monitoring network
SCCWRP has helped bring together more than two dozen organizations to form a water-quality monitoring network that is tracking how pollution and debris from the Palisades and Eaton fires are ... More
Microplastics collection method transferred to end users during pair of workshops
SCCWRP and its partners have begun the process of transferring to end users a newly standardized method for collecting samples from drinking water treatment plants in preparation for measuring their ... More
Study surveying fish consumption at urban lakes in L.A. region completed
SCCWRP has completed a year-long study intended to help managers decide if one or more urban lakes in the Los Angeles region should receive a regulatory designation known as a ... More
Passive samplers retrieved from offshore DDT barrels dump site
SCCWRP and its partners at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have successfully retrieved passive samplers that were deployed for six months to measure sediment contamination at a former industrial waste dump ... More
Re-assessment of sediment contamination at Palos Verdes Superfund site completed
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 has finalized an assessment of the state of sediment contamination along the Palos Verdes shelf – an effort that included participation by SCCWRP, ... More
Lab accreditation assessors to be trained on Ceriodaphnia toxicity test during 3-day workshop
Assessors who audit environmental laboratories in California will be trained on standardized laboratory practices, test requirements and data quality standards for the Ceriodaphnia dubia survival and chronic reproduction test during ... More
Modeling phase launched in effort to open ‘black box’ of BMP mechanistic processes
SCCWRP and its partners have begun working to model the mechanistic inner processes by which a ubiquitous class of stormwater BMPs known as biofiltration systems removes pollutants from runoff – ... More
Flume experiments being used to develop standardized collection method for measuring microplastics in stormwater
SCCWRP and its partners are nearing completion on a series of controlled hydraulic flume experiments that will help standardize methods for collecting stormwater samples in preparation for measuring their microplastics ... More
First phase completed in fish consumption survey at urban lakes in L.A. region
SCCWRP has completed the first phase of an ongoing study examining whether one or more urban lakes in the Los Angeles region should receive a regulatory designation known as a ... More
Pilot study using cell bioassays to study adverse health effects of CECs in consumer products
SCCWRP has launched a pilot study with California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) using bioanalytical screening assays to help close knowledge gaps in how common consumer products can ... More
Lab testing phase completed for mechanistic study seeking to open BMP “black box”
SCCWRP and its partners have completed the laboratory testing phase for a three-year study working to characterize the mechanistic inner processes by which biofiltration stormwater BMPs (best management practices) treat ... More
Bight ’23 wraps up shellfish field sampling
The Southern California Bight 2023 Regional Monitoring Program has completed field sampling for an ongoing investigation into how multiple types of contaminants accumulate in shellfish – a highly leveraged effort ... More
Lab intercalibration completed to ensure high-quality, comparable data for Bight ’23 microplastics assessment
The Trash and Microplastics study element of the Southern California Bight 2023 Regional Monitoring Program has successfully completed a laboratory intercalibration exercise to ensure participating laboratories can generate high-quality, comparable ... More
Effort launched to evaluate pair of laboratory methods
SCCWRP and its partners are kicking off a six-month effort to validate two new laboratory methods for measuring a range of pesticides in aquatic samples, which will help pave the ... More
Lab accreditation assessors trained on PFAS measurement methods during 3-day workshop
Assessors who accredit environmental laboratories in California received training on how to measure per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water and environmental matrices during a three-day workshop co-presented by ... More
Workshop teaches end users how to screen water samples using bioanalytical cell assays
SCCWRP trained California’s water-quality management community in how to use bioanalytical cell assays to screen water samples for bioactive contaminants during a day-long workshop in June – part of an ... More
SMC lab intercalibration completed to ensure high-quality chemistry analyses for stormwater monitoring
The Southern California Stormwater Monitoring Coalition (SMC) has completed the fourth iteration of a periodic intercalibration exercise originally started in 2003 to ensure that laboratories performing routine chemistry analyses on ... More
Initial dry-weather sampling completed for study investigating BMPs’ potential to remove microplastics in runoff
SCCWRP and its partners have completed an initial round of dry-weather sampling of the engineered media inside six biofiltration BMPs (best management practices) as part of an ongoing study investigating ... More
Year 1 sampling completed in effort to measure how well bioretention BMPs remove microplastics in runoff
SCCWRP and its partners have completed the first season of wet-weather sampling for a two-year study investigating the effectiveness of bioretention BMPs (best management practices) at removing microplastics pollution from ... More
Pilot phase completed for mechanistic study seeking to open BMP “black box”
SCCWRP and its partners have successfully completed the pilot testing phase for a three-year study working to characterize the mechanistic inner processes by which biofiltration stormwater BMPs (best management practices) ... More
Special journal issue highlights effort to standardize microplastics measurement methods
An international effort to standardize the methods being used to measure microplastics in a range of aquatic matrices is chronicled in a newly published special issue of the journal Chemosphere. ... More
Year 1 sampling completed for study evaluating collection methods for microplastics in stormwater
SCCWRP and its partners at the University of California, Riverside have completed the first season of wet-weather sample collection as part of a three-year effort to standardize the methods that ... More
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