Log Hydrocarbon Reading
Volunteer
Help us monitor the LA coastline! Volunteers assist with sample collection, data recording, and beach cleanup efforts.
To join a field team, contact your local coastal monitoring coordinator or email volunteer@beachtracker.org.
Once approved, you will receive access to submit readings through this tracker.
About
The Beach Health Atlas (formerly the Beach Hydrocarbon Tracker) aggregates environmental and public-health data for 14 target beaches across Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties.
The live layer tracks Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) readings from sand, water, and tar ball samples. Readings are graded A through D: A Clean (0-10 ppm), B Mostly Clean (10-25), C Fair (25-50), D Needs Attention (>50).
Additional data tiers — bacteria, heavy metals, air quality, ocean conditions, rainfall, and advisories — are in active collection. This tool helps identify contamination trends, track cleanup progress, and prioritize response efforts along the coast.
Data Sources & Methodology
Beach grades are produced from field samples logged by volunteers and partner labs. The PAH Research Atlas layer overlays a separate, peer-reviewed monitoring dataset — the Global PAH Water Contamination Atlas (1945–present) — sourced from public agency repositories.