Publication Summary

The Marine Benthic Monitoring Unit has initiated the revision and analysis of five years of data (1989-1993) compiled since the implementation of the Marine Sediment Monitoring Program of the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program in 1988. These data include benthic abundance and species richness of macrofauna, sediment chemistry, and toxicity bioassays. Parameters being analyzed and methods of collection and analysis have been reported elsewhere (Striplin, 1988; Tetra Tech, 1990). The present progress report presents the 1993 sediment chemistry results, and compares these results to previous trends in sediment contaminants. Also, benthic abundance results are discussed in terms of possible effects of summer hypoxia in portions of Puget Sound.