Fish full of pharmaceuticals. Submarine groundwater discharge is quietly delivering human contaminants—like heavy metals, fertilizers, and even antidepressants—into our oceans. In this episode of Oceanography, marine geochemist Dr. Tristan McKenzie explains how these hidden pathways are impacting coastal ecosystems around the world. Drawing from fieldwork in Hawaii and Sweden, he breaks down the science behind groundwater pollution, shares the results of a global contamination risk map, and discusses the surprising ways contaminants disrupt both marine life and biogeochemical cycles. You’ll also learn why some of the world’s most biodiverse coasts are at highest risk—and how you can help. This is a deep dive into ocean contamination, climate interactions, and the data behind it all.
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Episode Guest: Dr. Tristan McKenzie
Learn more about Dr. Tristan McKenzie on his website here and the University of Gothenberg
Follow Dr. Tristan McKenzie on Blue Sky
Find more of Dr. Tristan McKenzie’s work on Google Scholar
How Gutting the EPA's Research Team Could Impact Clean Air and Water Rules by the Scientific American
EPA likely to move to further limit federal protections for wetlands by AP News
Fish off the coast of Florida test positive for pharmaceutical drugs, says study by CNN
Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media website
Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia
Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese
Cover art by Jomiro Eming
Theme music by Nela Ruiz
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