National Ocean Month is the perfect time to talk about the Gulf of Mexico—because what happens upstream shows up at the shoreline. This one-hour lecture breaks down the most common ocean and beach water quality issues affecting the upper Texas coast: harmful algal blooms, low oxygen events, bacteria advisories, plastics/microplastics, and oil/chemical

contamination. We’ll demystify the basics of ocean water chemistry, explain how beach advisories are triggered, and show how to interpret monitoring trends without getting lost in jargon. Expect a practical, Galveston-relevant overview that connects the science to everyday decisions: swimming safety, seafood confidence, coastal resilience, and smarter pollution

prevention.