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Scientific
Studies
Over the past six
years, Heal the Ocean has undertaken a number
of scientific studies on ocean pollution
issues. Many of these studies have focused
on the local Santa Barbara area, however
on occasion the work has ranged well beyond
our coast to touch on issues of broader
geographic significance. Below is a sampling
of studies commissioned or undertaken by
Heal the Ocean:
Ocean
Wastewater Discharge Inventory for the State
of California
From the Oregon
border to San Diego/Baja, the state of California
is putting an immense amount of sewage into
the ocean - some of it in very shallow water,
even the surf zone. Read HTO's preliminary
tally of how the ocean is being used to
dilute human waste, a practice we're committed
to eliminating.
Dangers
of Swimming in Secondary Sewage (Kator Report)
Written
by environmental microbiologist Howard Kator
(U. of Virginia College of William &
Mary), this report illustrates the dangers
of swimming in ocean water where sewage
is being dumped in shallow water. Sections
of the report were included in NRDC report
to Congress "Swimming in Sewage"
in February 2004.
Lower
Rincon Beach DNA
This is one
of the first environmental DNA studies done
in the U.S.! To put an end to speculation
about the sources of pollution at the Rincon,
a world-class surf spot, HTO commissioned
a DNA lab to analyze what is really going
on there.
Report
on the Tajiguas Landfill
Read the shocking
report that made front headlines when released
by Heal the Ocean - about the Tajiguas Landfill
in Santa Barbara County not only being unlined,
but mixing with 80 to 100 ft. of groundwater.
Heal
the Ocean Virus Report
HTO periodically
checks the ocean - popular swimming beaches
- for evidence of human waste (Hepatitis
A and enteric viruses), and we've found
them. We've found them when creeks and storm
drains are NOT running, which is why we
continue to look at other sources - like
groundwater.
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