Water Resources and Pollution

Sampling different areas of Puget Sound requires different techniques. For example, a deep station in the San Juan Islands may have a zooplankton tow, but a shallow station in Quartermaster Harbor may only need a surface phytoplankton sample. For the most part similar data was collected in all stations and an average station would involve most of the following processes. A CTD was lowered to electronically collect data from the entire water column. After returning to the surface, the instrument was connected to a computer and the data was downloaded. Niskin bottles were also closed at depth and surface to collect water samples. From the bottles, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, and nutrients samples were fixed and stored for later lab processing. Secchi disks were used to estimate the penetration of light into the water. Selected sites had sediment grabs, deep plankton tows and surface plankton tows. For a detailed explanation of individual processes, please visit the Equipment and Methods page.

Commencement Bay is one of the busiest ports in the United States, located in Tacoma, Washington, a highly urbanized area. The Bay has a combination of properties that make its hydrography interesting. In addition to deep entry waters, the Bay and the Puyallup River coalesce. The mix of fresh and salt water gives the Bay some unique chemical properties. To review a complete analysis, please visit the Commencement Bay page.

The San Juan Islands are located between Puget Sound to the south and Georgia Basin to the north, and is connected to the ocean by the Straits of Juan de Fuca. The area is influenced by strong tidal currents, fresh water inflow from the Fraser River, and deep salt water intrusions entering through the Straits. To review a complete analysis, please visit the San Juan page.

Quartermaster Harbor is located between Vashon and Maury Islands in central Puget Sound. The shallow, sheltered bathymetry of the harbor lends itself to ideal conditions for the growth and blooms of plankton. Large numbers of plankton can cause a multitude of effects on local waters and the sampling of Quartermaster was selected for this reason. To review a complete analysis, please visit the Quartermaster Harbor page.

Hood Canal is a long fjord on the western side of Puget Sound. The sill, located at the mouth of the canal restricts flushing of the canal by deep ocean water from the Straits. Hood Canal is currently being studied by various entities such as Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, Washington State Department of Ecology, and the University of Washington for low amounts of dissolved oxygen, especially in the southern reaches of the canal. To review a complete analysis, please visit the Hood Canal page.

Acknowledgements
Deb Sklar - UWT Technology
Ray Outlaw - UWT 2005 Graduate
Rick Fuller - City of Tacoma
Mike - City of Tacoma
Renee Rose and Volunteers - Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (Water Quality)
Crew of the Centennial, Friday Harbor Labs
Joe Chynoweth - UWT, Plant Communications and Coordinator
Dave Thorsen - UWS, College of Oceans and Fishery Sciences

Links
Department of Ecology
Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group
City of Tacoma: Public Works
NOAA (Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric Association)
Water Resources and Pollution Fall 2002
Water Resources and Pollution Spring 2002
Water Resources and Pollution Spring 2003