Surface water includes oceans, rivers, lakes, coastal tidal waters, and streams; rainfall and discharged groundwater that collect in surface water bodies are also considered part of this media. Surface water can become contaminated through a variety of means, including close contact with contaminated sediments, incorporation of industrial runoff, and mixing with contaminated groundwater or storm water.
Contaminated surface water can have serious effects on the health of the surrounding ecosystem, affecting life forms ranging from the tiniest microorganisms to humans who might bathe or drink the water. One major concern is the health effects resulting from the accumulation of contaminants found in surface water. For example, fish living in a polluted lake may accumulate contaminants in their bodies over a period of time. Should a human eat that fish, they could receive a dose of the contaminant that would be higher than had they ingested the contaminated water directly. SBRP research on surface water seeks to identify efficient methods for breaking down surface water contamination and understand the extent of its health effects on the ecosystem.
Use the search tools below to find additional information about SBRP-funded surface water studies.
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