Publication Summary

The Washington State Department of Ecology conducted a year-long field investigation between October 1993 and October 1994 along the central Seattle Waterfront to identify potential sources of sediment recontamination, mechanisms of contaminant transport and resuspension, and sedimentation rates. The primary purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility of conducting sediment cleanup along the waterfront, at the request of the Elliott Bay/Duwamish Restoration Panel.

The Washington State Department of Ecology conducted a year-long field investigation between October 1993 and October 1994 along the central Seattle Waterfront to identify potential sources of sediment recontamination, mechanisms of contaminant transport and resuspension, and sedimentation rates. The primary purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility of conducting sediment cleanup along the waterfront, at the request of the Elliott Bay/Duwamish Restoration Panel.

The field investigation focused on the nearshore waterfront area extending from Terminal 46 on the south to Pier 59 on the north. To characterize physical and chemical conditions in this area of Elliott Bay, settling particulate matter, bottom sediments, sediment cores, current velocity measurements and vertical profiles of light transmittance were collected between October 1993 and October 1994. Estimates of bottom sediment resuspension rates are also provided.

The data generated from the field investigation (Volume I) are combined with other available information on the area in Volume II of the Elliott Bay Waterfront Recontamination Study to develop a conceptual site model for the study area. This site model is then used to provide remedial design recommendations which will guide future sediment cleanup projects along the Seattle Waterfront.

Link to EIM data for User Study ID DNOR0003