Chemical Contaminants and Health of Fishes in Urban Coastal Regions

Dr. Kevin Kelley 
Interim Associate Vice President, Research and Sponsored Programs, 
CSU, Chico 

Dr. Kevin Kelley begins his presentation by stating that the San Francisco Bay Area and the Southern California coast are “among the world’s most highly intensive interfaces between large human populations and marine-estuarine environments.” He then cites some eye-opening numbers – for example, 20 million-plus people live in the area from Los Angeles to San Diego, with three of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the world sending one billion gallons a day into the Pacific Ocean. Human activity produces numerous contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, detergents, herbicides, pesticides, flame-retardant chemicals, and more. Dr. Kelly is researching which of these environmental contaminants have a negative effect on wildlife even after going through the treatment process, by studying endocrine and tissue responses. An example is the effect of environmental estrogens on male fish. 

Recorded: October 9, 2015