Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Chemical 'Haloes' And 'Fried Egg' Bacteria: A Look At A DDT Dump Site
Researchers found bacteria, worms, and sponges among other things at DDT dumping sites off the Catalina coast.
(
Beth J. Harpaz
/
AP
)
It’s now well known that for decades, dangerous chemicals like DDT were dumped in barrels into the ocean between Los Angeles and Catalina Island. Scientists believe there could be as many as 25,000 barrels.
While not much is known about the full extent of the pollution the dumping caused, scientists were recently able to send back a firsthand look at what’s down there.
Researchers from UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography were already seven miles offshore on another marine mission when they realized they were close to a known dumping ground.
So they took a slight detour to plunge a robotic submersible down to take samples and livestream from the seafloor.
Support for LAist comes from
Viewers from around the world could see sponges, worms, and what looked like chemical “haloes” around the barrels.
Lisa Levin, one of the scientists on the mission, said they also found mats of bacteria that look like fried eggs feeding off the chemicals.
A second DDT barrel has been located with "Fried Egg" bacterial mats on top. https://t.co/KDElMHKoF4 #BiodiverseSCB #BiodiverseBorderlands pic.twitter.com/gGUF2CAzYb
— Schmidt Ocean (@SchmidtOcean) August 4, 2021
Levin says it could take about a year to wrap up a complete analysis — the findings could shape any future plans to clean up the mess.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Heavy rain is expected to fall in the L.A. area between tonight and Thursday. So take your poncho if you're headed to Dodger Stadium. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist