Contaminants of emerging concern are increasingly detected in surface water and groundwater, posing risks to drinking water and aquatic life. Since 2020, Sea Grant has been building its CEC-focused research portfolio and supporting projects that serve locally-derived information needs.
Contaminants of emerging concern
Research to focus on contaminants in urban waterways
Fish, shellfish, insect, water and sediment samples from urban coastal areas from the Chesapeake Bay to Northern New England will be analyzed for the presence of potentially harmful chemicals in four research projects commissioned by a partnership of the CT, NH and NC Sea Grant programs.
Two new projects add to Sea Grant’s involvement in CECs
Two new projects aim to enhance research and monitoring efforts for CECs in the second round of funding for CECs projects, following the first round in which the CT-NH-NC Sea Grant project was chosen.
Read articles about CECs project, PFAS in Wrack Lines magazine
The Fall-Winter 2022-2023 issue of Wrack Lines magazine includes articles about the Contaminants of Emerging Concern project and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances called PFAS.
Call for proposals issued for CECs research projects
The CECs project announces a request for proposals (RFP) for a regional research competition focused on Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), focused on the Atlantic Coast. Proposals are encouraged for projects of up to 18 months requesting up to $150,000. Letters of intent are due by Sept. 23, 2022.
Webinar: Defining a role for Sea Grant engagement in CECs
Slides from the May 19 national webinar on the Sea Grant Emerging Contaminants Project: Initial National Framework are available here.
CTSG director, researcher, artist talk about plastics, PFAS
CTSG Director Sylvain De Guise, UConn Marine Sciences Prof. Evan Ward and Sea Grant-supported artist Elizabeth Ellenwood are interviewed on WNPR’s “Where We Live” about PFAS and microplastics.
Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Initial National Framework
A partnership of the Connecticut, New Hampshire and North Carolina Sea Grant programs and Lighthouse Consulting Group has completed an initial national framework to guide Sea Grant’s investments in the field of Contaminants of Emerging Concern.
Survey respondents share top concerns about chemical contaminants
Manmade chemicals known as PFAS and microplastics emerged as the top concerns of the 646 people who responded to a survey conducted in late 2021 by the Contaminants of Emerging Concern Project.
Learn about the survey on Contaminants of Emerging Concern
A partnership of the Connecticut, New Hampshire and North Carolina Sea Grant programs and Lighthouse Consulting Group conducted a survey as part of a federally funded project announced in September 2021. The survey closed on Dec. 31. Please check back for updates on the results.