Publication Summary

This is the quality assurance plan for the project, Assessment of Sediment Toxicity near Post Point (Bellingham Bay).

Each study conducted by the Washington State Department of Ecology must have an approved Quality Assurance Project Plan. The plan describes the objectives of the study and the procedures to be followed to achieve those objectives. After completion of the study, a final report describing the study results will be posted to the Internet.

Previous investigations near Post Point (Bellingham) have been found to exhibit significant sediment toxicity. Toxicity at some sampling locations did not appear related to Harris Avenue Shipyard activities because contaminant levels did not exceed Washington State′s numeric Sediment Quality Standards for sediment chemistry. High concentrations of total sulfides have also been found in area′s sediments. Sulfides could have contributed to the observed toxicity, but existing data are insufficient to identify them as the primary cause.

This study will evaluate the toxicity of surface sediment samples collected at a limited number of locations likely to exhibit toxicity or high total sulfides. A suite of four standard toxicity tests will be conducted and interpreted according to the Sediment Management Standards rule (Chapter 173-204 WAC). Results will help determine if sediments near Post Point are likely to be toxic to a degree that warrants detailed remedial investigations. Results may also provide evidence for high sulfides contributing to the observed sediment toxicity.

Link to EIM data for User Study ID PPTox07