Spectrum News: UC biologist discusses water pollution

This was put in stark relief earlier this year when a train derailment in East Palestine spilled toxic chemicals into the Ohio River, killing fish and prompting treatment plants that rely on the river for drinking water to shut down temporarily.

Jackson joined Spectrum's In Focus host Mike Kallmeyer to discuss how pollution affects rivers, lakes and streams on Earth Day.

“As an aquatic toxicologist, I look at how different contaminants and pollution affect organisms and even humans — anything that comes in contact with the water,” she said.

In her lab, Jackson studies live-bearing fish to see how toxins in the water can harm not only adults but their babies as well.

Jackson said scientists today are studying contaminants of emerging concern, including personal-care products, microplastics, tire rubber and medicines that end up in waterways.

“Just about everything that we put down our drains is having a huge negative impact on fish,” she said.

Jackson said she has been following the environmental impacts from the train derailment. While contaminant levels quickly dissipate in the river, the chemicals can have a profound impact on generations of wildlife and the food chain, she said.

“We don't know how it will affect fish and other aquatic animals in the long term,” she said.

Watch the Spectrum News interview.

Featured image at top: UC Assistant Professor Latonya Jackson studies the long-term effects of chemicals on aquatic life. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand