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| Title | South Puget Sound Water Quality Study, Phase 1 | |||
| Month-Year Published | October 2002 | |||
| Online Availability |
9755 kilobytes, requires version 4.0 or later of Adobe Acrobat Reader Software get Acrobat Reader
Note: warning - large file
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| Short Description |
This study examines the environmental health of South Puget Sound in terms of dissolved oxygen and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) levels. Increased nutrient levels from population growth can cause lower dissolved oxygen levels, reduce water clarity, increase toxic algae blooms and unsightly algae mats and scums, and change species distribution. The study evaluates the sensitivity of the Sound in two ways: 1) field observations and experimental measurements and 2) development of a mathematical model. The study concluded that South Puget Sound is sensitive to nutrient addition and that Case, Carr, and Budd inlets have the lowest dissolved oxygen levels within South Puget Sound. (Also see abstract below) | |||
| Publication Number | 02-03-021 | |||
| Author(s) | Albertson, S.L., K. Erickson, J.A. Newton, G. Pelletier, R.A. Reynolds, and M.L. Roberts | |||
| Print Availability |
Cost for Washington state residents is $20.00. Cost for non-residents is $20.00.
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| Number of pages | 221 pp. | |||
| Keywords | 303(d), algae, basin, lead, model, ocean, Puget Sound, quality, section 303, study, toxic, water, water quality | |||
| Subject Waterbodies |
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| Related Publications | Title | Relationship | ||
| Summary of South Puget Sound Water Quality Study | similar topic | |||
| Quality Assurance Project Plan: South Puget Sound Water Quality Study Phase 2: Dissolved Oxygen | similar topic | |||
| Sediment Trap Monitoring in Four Inlets of South Puget Sound | similar topic | |||
| Abstract | Long Description |
Increasing development around South Puget Sound, defined as the basin south of The Narrows near Tacoma, may adversely affect marine water quality through elevated point and nonpoint source loading of nutrients. Although individual sources may not have a measurable influence, their combined impact could lead to significant water quality degradation, such as reduced dissolved oxygen concentrations, reduced water clarity, altered species composition, and formation of algal scums. South Puget Sound′s complex morphology contributes to slow flushing rates, which limits the ability of the basin to dilute and exchange with the Pacific Ocean. Several inlets have high productivity and low near-bottom dissolved oxygen. Many studies have concluded that South Sound is particularly susceptible to water quality problems. South Puget Sound marine waterbody segments have been identified as impaired through the federal Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list for dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform bacteria, and other variables. The South Puget Sound Water Quality Study offers the opportunity to quantitatively assess existing and potential future water quality. It is divided into two phases:
This Phase 1 study found that South Puget Sound is sensitive to nutrient addition, confirming the potential for serious water quality degradation due to increased nutrient loads. Both point and nonpoint sources contribute significantly. Modeled near-bottom dissolved oxygen is most sensitive to the sediment model constituents. Case, Carr, and Budd inlets appear to have the lowest dissolved oxygen levels observed within South Puget Sound, and may be the most sensitive to increased nutrient loads. |
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