News Summary
Investigations off Los Angeles reveal that barrels thought to contain DDT are leaking caustic alkaline waste. The study highlights significant environmental concerns as these toxic materials threaten marine life and ecosystem health. Researchers identified over 25,000 barrels on the ocean floor, indicating a much larger contamination issue than previously understood. The presence of caustic waste, which can be harmful to marine organisms, raises alarms about historical dumping practices and calls for urgent further research.
Los Angeles – Recent investigations off the coast of Los Angeles have revealed that thousands of corroded metal barrels found on the ocean floor are leaking caustic alkaline waste rather than the previously suspected DDT, a now-banned toxic pesticide. This significant finding emerged from a study published on September 9, 2022, in the journal PNAS Nexus, which analyzed sediment samples near the barrels.
In 2011, scientists initially discovered the barrels during routine underwater research. The barrels were thought to potentially contain DDT due to the heavy contamination of the area from historical dumping practices. However, advanced testing has now shown that many of the identified barrels contain dangerous caustic alkaline waste, characterized by high pH levels and minimal microbial life.
Researchers used remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to study the sediment surrounding five of these barrels, with three displaying distinct white halos. While sediment samples near these barrels showed elevated DDT levels, this contamination was uniform, irrespective of the barrel’s distance. The high pH levels, recorded at around 12, indicated the presence of alkaline waste, which likely inhibits the survival of most marine life. The white halos observed are believed to have formed from the alkaline waste reacting with magnesium found in seawater, creating a mineral known as brucite.
Current maps show approximately 25,000 barrels scattered on the seafloor, a significant increase from earlier investigations that had identified dozens. Federal records indicate that from the 1930s to the early 1970s, companies were permitted to dump various types of waste at 14 underwater sites in Southern California. These wastes included refinery waste, chemical substances, military explosives, and even radioactive materials.
The discovery of alkalinity in these barrels is concerning, especially since alkaline waste can create highly inhospitable environments for marine organisms. The study is significant in terms of long-term environmental health, as these chemicals are predicted to remain in the ecosystem for thousands of years. The specific types of alkaline waste found remain unidentified, although processes related to DDT production and oil refining are suspected sources.
Compounding the complications, recent evidence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that large amounts of acidic waste were dumped into the ocean without proper containment, raising alarms over unregulated dumping practices and the extent of pollution in California’s waters. This could signify a much larger contamination issue than previously acknowledged, with estimates indicating that there could be hundreds of thousands of unaccounted barrels under the ocean floor.
As the research community pivots focus towards the broader implications of DDT contamination, there is a growing concern that any attempts to physically remove sediments contaminated with DDT could inadvertently disperse the toxins back into the water. Consequently, there is an ongoing investigation into microbial life that might offer pathways to degrade pollutants such as DDT, fostering hopes for potential remediation strategies.
Calls for further research and action concerning ocean pollution have intensified in light of these new findings. Advocates emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive studies on the environmental impact of these industrial waste sites, aiming to mitigate the risks posed to marine ecosystems and human health along the Southern California coast. As the situation develops, further assessments and policy changes may be necessary to ensure the protection of both the ocean environment and the communities relying on its resources.
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Additional Resources
- Smithsonian Magazine
- Wikipedia: Pesticide
- Newsweek
- Google Search: marine pollution
- Live Science
- Google Scholar: ocean dumping
- IFL Science
- Encyclopedia Britannica: mystery halos
- Laboratory Equipment
- Google News: California environmental issues
Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
