Toxic Contaminants Workgroup

The Toxic Contaminants Workgroup facilitates information sharing on the lessons learned, best practices and most up-to-date science, policy and communications around the toxic contaminants impacting the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Meetings

‍View all meetings‍ View group calendar

About

The Toxic Contaminants Workgroup (TCW) was established in 2014 after the signing of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. This workgroup exists to accomplish the Toxic & Emerging Contaminants Outcome in the Watershed Agreement, working to reduce the amount and effect of toxic contaminants, such as PCBs, plastics, mercury and PFAS, on the waters, lands, fisheries, wildlife and communities of the Chesapeake Bay watershed through an increased understanding of their impacts and mitigation options.

While Management Strategies to align with the newly adopted revised Watershed Agreement are being developed, work by the TCW will be guided by member priorities and past workplans. The 2025-2026 Toxic Contaminants Research Workplan can be found here.

Projects

TCW PFAS Quarterly Meetings and Resources

In Progress

The TCW holds quarterly meetings dedicated to the subject of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS). This page contains a consolidation of materials and resources from these meetings and additional PFAS webinars and other resources.

Publications

Toxic Contaminants Phase III WIPs Co-Benefits Fact Sheet

Publication date: Not listed

This fact sheet describes the co-benefits that are possible when nutrient and sediment best management practices are selected in a thoughtful manner with site-specific conditions in mind. This fact sheet includes contact information for each state for more information. Additional information on best management practices and co-benefits for the Phase III WIPs is available here.

View document [PDF, 874.4 KB] Toxic Contaminants Phase III WIPs Co-Benefits Fact Sheet

A Pilot Study for Ambient Toxicity Testing in Chesapeake Bay-Year 4 Report

Publication date:

This study was designed to evaluate ambient toxicity in the Chesapeake Bay watershed by using a battery of water column and sediment toxicity tests. A team of scientists from two Chesapeake Bay research laboratories and Maryland Department of the Environment worked jointly to complete this goal. Water column toxicity studies and overall project management was directed by the University of Maryland's Agricultural Experiment Station. SEdiment toxicity tests and selected sediment chemistry was managed by Old Dominion University Applied Marine Research Laboratory. Maryland Department of the Environment was responsible for selected sediment chemistry. This report summarizes data from the fourth year of a four-year ambient toxicity testing program.

View document [PDF, 6.4 MB] A Pilot Study for Ambient Toxicity Testing in Chesapeake Bay-Year 4 Report

Our Watershed Agreement Goals & Outcomes

Clean Water Goal

Our Members