Key to understanding our human role in environmental protection is constant checking and evaluating the environmental condition of our estuaries and oceans.

EPA monitors and assesses marine and coastal waters nationwide to protect human health and the marine environment. Our monitoring programs evaluate short and long-term impacts and assess trends to the marine environment. Resulting information and data provide a critical link to oceans and coastal pollution control and management programs.

Ocean Survey Vessel Bold
EPA's ocean-going vessel supports many activities including the monitoring of ocean outfalls and dumpsites. The vessel also supports EPA dive teams in the assessment and monitoring of critical habitats, such as coral reefs.

Air Deposition in Estuaries and Coastal Waters
Pollution from the air may deposit into water bodies and affect water quality in these systems. Airborne pollution can fall to the ground in raindrops, in dust or simply due to gravity. As the pollution falls, it may end up in streams, lakes, or estuaries and can affect the water quality there.

Monitoring Reports and Guidance
A compilation of resources for the volunteer, academic, and regulated communities.

Volunteer Activities
Manuals and guidances for volunteer activities and useful links to organizations supporting volunteer monitoring in our Nation's oceans, coasts and estuaries.

Top photo: Measuring the carapace of a blue crab at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Chesapeake Bay in Maryland

Middle photo: Man bringing a rocker dredge sample onboard a research vessel off the State of Delaware in the Atlantic Ocean.

Bottom photo: Two men taking sediment samples from a Smith-McIntyre dredge near Baltimore Harbor, Maryland