NOAA/NCCOS American Samoa Study

American Samoa’s coral reefs are some of the most pristine reefs in the United States. They host more than a thousand species of marine life, including some of the oldest and largest shallow-water corals on the planet. But even these remote reefs in the South Pacific Ocean face potential threats. NOAA/NCCOS evaluated the CLAM as part of this study.

“CLAM in situ active monitoring devices were effective in quantifying aqueous organic contamination of the Bay. Thirty-two organic contaminants, including hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals were detected, although concentrations were too low to be of likely ecological impact.”
– Key findings conclusion