Chemical Contaminants
NCCOS monitors coastal contaminants and their effects on the local marine environment, to identify problem areas that need management attention. Photo by Ian Hartwell of NCCOS.
NCCOS identifies
coastal areas that are contaminated. We identify the pollutants, find their sources,
and predict their impacts. Thousands of chemicals are created by industry and introduced
into the marketplace each year. Many of these chemicals end up in the marine environment.
We determine which chemicals are toxic to marine life or building-up in coastal
areas and animals.
Our data can be used to assess the risks of these chemicals to coastal animals and
to human consumers of seafood. We work with communities to provide information
and tools to reduce pollution and improve coastal health.
We support NOAA's
response to disasters such as hurricanes and chemical spills, measuring and tracking
the spread of oil, disease-causing bacteria, and other contaminants. The freely-available
data from our long-term monitoring programs (e.g. Mussel Watch and National Status
and Trends) are used to describe and detect changes in coastal environmental quality.
Communities use our assessments and data to identify pollution hot spots, target
pollution control efforts, and assess effectiveness of pollution control programs
and policies.