Decades of toxic waste dumping off the coast of Southern California have drastically altered the marine environment, according to a recent study by researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Between the 1930s and 1970s, companies disposed of barrels containing hazardous substances, including DDT, in the ocean from Santa Cruz Island south to Mexico. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that these actions have significantly changed the chemistry and microbial life on the sea floor.
Researchers used remotely operated vehicles to explore the sites, finding that some barrels appeared to be surrounded by concrete and white halos. The study suggests that these barrels contained caustic waste so alkaline it altered the seafloor’s chemistry. Samples taken near the barrels showed pH levels as high as 12, compared to the normal range of 7 to 8. The area is now dominated by alkalophilic bacteria, typically found in extreme environments like hydrothermal vents.
Paul Jensen, a professor of microbiology at Scripps and co-author of the study, explained, “We’ve created these naturally occurring extremophile environments in these little patches in the ocean wherever these barrels landed that had the caustic waste.” The study estimates that it could take thousands of years for these environmental changes to resolve.
The issue gained national attention through the documentary “Out of Plain Sight,” which explores the history and impact of DDT dumping. The film highlights the challenges of addressing the pollution, as many barrels are corroded and could burst if disturbed. Additionally, much of the toxins have already escaped, complicating cleanup efforts.
The documentary, produced by journalist Rosanna Xia and Professor David Valentine, emphasizes the long-term consequences of the dumping, including the bioaccumulation of DDT in marine life. Sea lions off the coast of California have the highest rate of cancer among wildlife species globally, a situation paralleled in humans, raising concerns about public health.
Efforts to map the extent of contamination continue, but researchers warn that the scope of the problem is vast and not limited to DDT alone.
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