Summary

As rivers have been modified my damming and chanalization for recreation or industrial uses, estuaries have been significantly affected. Estuaries salinity and nutrient levels can easily change due to modified rivers and farming techniques along rivers. The Puyallup River is an example of a greatly modified river flowing into Commencement Bay (transect 2 and 3). Superfund sites are also a concern in estuaries because of the possibility of leaching contaminants which could greatly harm the marine’s ecosystem. The Hyleboes Waterway and the Thea Foss Waterway are both sites that are affected by storm water and city runoff that are being monitored to see any significant changes in the water measurements (all transects). Sewage outflows can be very harmful to estuaries. They can let off harmful toxins, chemicals, and sediment which could harm sensitive ecosystems in the estuary and alter sediment and salinity levels (transect 2).

The Commencement Bay transects overall seemed to be close to each other, implying that from location to location, there was not much variation, which is good because its showing that there are not noticeable impacts specific to each station on the Bay. Since there has been past research done on the Bay, it was compared with this years data, but further tests must be done to better understand any changes that may affect the Bay area. Actual site profiles from 2005 can be viewed here. To see past data taken in Commencement Bay, please visit http://courses.washington.edu/uwtoce05/webg1/index.html.