Workgroups
Projects Related to the Workgroups
![Photo: Shira Bezalel](https://www.sfei.org/sites/default/files/styles/portfolio_sm/public/projects/SBezalel-20181122-A7301974.jpg?itok=3apVjgBR&c=c0e9d9f30ca160c04443cf919702b389)
Plastics, in their various chemical composition and sizes, pose serious challenges to the vitality of California's ecosystems. Once escaped into the environment, plastic contamination persists for very long periods and breaks down into ever smaller pieces, becoming more readily available to wildlife and populations who live, work, and play in those same habitats.
![Photo credit: Shira Bezalel](https://www.sfei.org/sites/default/files/styles/portfolio_sm/public/projects/Marsh%20by%20Shira%20Bezalel%20%281%29.jpg?itok=5b7tsZER&c=f4d097581d8fe3ca6a78ba488fee8df2)
Despite California's data-rich environment, there are still many obstacles when trying to access and understand pesticide data at the nexus of water quality, ecological effects, and human health. We recognize a need to fill data gaps, not necessarily by collecting new data, but by better leveraging information already technically in the public domain. The goal of this project is to bring pesticide reporting, occurrence, and toxicity data together in ways that yield insights and meet the expressed needs of stakeholders in clear, efficient, credible, and repeatable ways.
![PFAS Family Tree with precursor transformation pathways identified.](https://www.sfei.org/sites/default/files/styles/portfolio_sm/public/projects/PFAS%20FIGURE.jpg?itok=xnnbQmSz&c=b0f771f4b6d3d43b67666b8a9e0328ba)
A recent analysis of PFAS in the surface waters of SF Bay was conducted to understand the occurrence, fate, and potential risks to ecological and human health. Eleven of 40 PFAS were detected at part per trillions (ppt) concentrations in ambient water collected in 2021 from 22 sites in the Bay. Seven PFAS (PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFBS, PFHxS, and PFOS), were found in at least 50% of samples. Concentrations of PFAS in the Bay were generally consistent with similar studies globally for surface water. Sustained, multi-matrix monitoring of this important class of contaminants of emerging concern is a high priority for the RMP.
![Monitoring San Francisco Bay for microplastics - photo by Plus M Productions](https://www.sfei.org/sites/default/files/styles/portfolio_sm/public/projects/SFBayMicroplastics_research1_photo4_preview.jpeg?itok=uoR8ZrBA&c=28d207b7c5a0fd337098c4f5648226f4)
Plastic pollution is gaining global recognition as a threat to the resilience and productivity of ocean ecosystems. However, we are only just beginning to understand the scope and impacts of microplastic particles (less than 5 mm) on coastal and ocean resources, and the San Francisco Bay Area is no exception. A preliminary study of nine water sites in San Francisco Bay, published in 2016, showed greater levels of microplastics than the Great Lakes or Chesapeake Bay.
![](https://www.sfei.org/sites/default/files/styles/portfolio_sm/public/projects/pulse13backcover.jpg?itok=HC2Tp3VY&c=1f64562500333563b23eaead1616fa94)
More than 100,000 chemicals have been registered or approved for commercial use in the US. For many of these chemicals, major information gaps limit evaluations of their potential risks, and environmental monitoring of these chemicals has not been required by regulatory agencies. Nevertheless, researchers and government agencies have begun to collect occurrence, fate, and toxicity data for a number of these chemicals.
Publications related to the Workgroups
The Institute has collectively produced more than 1300 reports, articles, and other publications over the course of its 24-year existence. The following list represents those publications associated with this individual program and its focus areas.
Nothing found
Year of Publication: 2022
CECs in California’s Ambient Aquatic Ecosystems: Occurrence and Risk Screening of Key Classes [Internet]. Richmond, CA: Aquatic Science Center; 2022 . Report No.: 1066. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/cec/docs/Final_ASC_CEC_Data_Synthesis.pdf .
Microplastics from Tire Particles in San Francisco Bay Factsheet. Richmond, CA: San Francisco Estuary Institute; 2022.
(1.38 MB) .
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
Occurrence and risk assessment of organophosphate esters and bisphenols in San Francisco Bay, California, USA. Science of the Total Environment [Internet]. 2022;813. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969721073630?via%3Dihub .
PFAS in San Francisco Bay Water. Richmond, CA: San Francisco Estuary Institute; 2022 . Report No.: 1094.
(2.37 MB) .
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
Priority margin unit stormwater monitoring to support load estimates of PCBs into San Leandro Bay and the Emeryville Crescent. Richmond, CA: San Francisco Estuary Institute; 2022 . Report No.: 1088.
(2.06 MB) .
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
Research recommendations to better understand the potential health impacts of microplastics to humans and aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics and Nanoplastics. 2022;2(18).
(466.11 KB) .
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
Risk-based management framework for microplastics in aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics and Nanoplastics [Internet]. 2022;2(17). https://microplastics.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43591-022-00033-3 .
San Francisco Bay Watershed Dynamic Model (WDM) Progress Report, Phase 2. Richmond, California: San Francisco Estuary Institute; 2022 . Report No.: 1091.
(3.56 MB) .
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
Small Tributaries Pollutants of Concern Reconnaissance Monitoring: Application of Storm-event Loads and Yields-Based and Congener-Based PCB Site Prioritization Methodologies. 2022 . Report No.: 1067.
(4.33 MB)
(1.24 MB)
(989.4 KB)
(1.83 MB) .
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
![application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet](/modules/file/icons/x-office-spreadsheet.png)
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
Strategy for In-Bay Fate Modeling to Support Contaminant and Sediment Management in San Francisco Bay. Richmond, California: San Francisco Estuary Institute; 2022 . Report No.: 1090.
(2.81 MB) .
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
Study of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Bay Area POTWs: Phase 2 Sampling and Analysis Plan. Richmond, CA: San Francisco Estuary Institute; 2022 .
(6.27 MB) .
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
Summary and Evaluation of Bioaccumulation Tests for Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Conducted by San Francisco Bay Dredging Projects. Richmond, California: San Francisco Estuary Institute; 2022 . Report No.: 1092.
(1.73 MB) .
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
Suspect Screening and Chemical Profile Analysis of Storm-Water Runoff Following 2017 Wildfires in Northern California. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry [Internet]. 2022;. https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/etc.5357 .
Year of Publication: 2021
2020-21 RMP North Bay Selenium Study. Richmond, CA: San Francisco Estuary Institute; 2021 . Report No.: 1052.
(7.65 MB)
![application/pdf](/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png)
- ‹ previous
- 3 of 14
- next ›