Pollution can reach the sea from underground. Marine geochemist Dr. Tristan McKenzie explains how submarine groundwater discharge carries nutrients, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals into coastal waters. Drawing on research in Hawaii and Sweden, the episode explores geochemical tracers, groundwater pollution, and the hidden pathways connecting activity on land with ocean contamination and coastal ecosystem health.

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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

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Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese 

Cover art by Jomiro Eming

Theme music by Nela Ruiz

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