How widespread or severe is the chemical (DDTs and PCBs) contamination off the coasts of Los Angeles and Orange Counties?
More than a 100 tons of DDTs and about 11 tons of PCBs were deposited in the sediments on the ocean bottom and cover over a 17 square mile area, from Point Fermin to the southern edge of Redondo Canyon, northwest of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The highest levels of DDTs and PCBs in ocean sediment were found about one to three miles off shore of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Enough contamination is present between Point Dume and Newport Pier, that fishing advisories have been issued for multiple fishing areas between these points.
