ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — University of South Florida scientists are studying how contaminants like flushed or thrown away pharmaceuticals impact Tampa Bay, hoping to mitigate future environmental damage.

What You Need To Know • USF is studying pollution from contaminants like pharmaceuticals • Previous research has detected PFAS, known as forever chemincals, and medications in Tampa Bay • Research aims to understand sources and distribution of these chemicals • The five-year study will come to end in 2028, but researchers are hoping to extend the project

As part of the Tampa Bay Surveillance Project , USF scientists placed 17 racks around Tampa Bay for barnacles to grow on.

“We're interested in what contaminants they may be actually filtering out and contained within their bodies,

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