Ocean Health
Understanding the resilience of our oceans requires a holistic approach to the chemical, biological, and physical stressors that define modern marine environments. At the Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute, our research into Ocean Health transcends traditional boundaries, uniting experts in toxicology, veterinary medicine, and oceanography to protect California’s coastal legacy. By investigating how natural and anthropogenic pressures—from emerging contaminants to global disease outbreaks—cascade through marine ecosystems, we provide the scientific foundation necessary to sustain the health of our oceans and the communities that depend on them.
CMSI researchers across the UC Davis campus work collaboratively to trace the "zone of impact" of human activity on the marine environment. Using advanced pathogen containment, high-resolution water quality modeling, and eco-toxicological analysis, we address the most pressing threats to aquatic life. Explore our specific research programs below:
Contaminants in Marine and Estuarine Environments
Endocrine Disruption in the Bay-Delta
Plumes and Coastal Water Quality
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When oil spills or pollutants enter the ocean, the visible damage is only part of the story.
Featured Story:
When oil spills or pollutants enter the ocean, the visible damage is only part of the story. Dr. Andrew Whitehead studies the genetic ripple effects—how exposure reshapes the biology of fish and other marine life for generations. His federally funded research helps reveal what industrial pollution leaves behind in coastal ecosystems, and why cleanup isn’t the end of the process. It’s science that connects environmental justice, molecular biology, and long-term ecosystem health.