Environmental Monitoring Using Foraminiferal Assemblages in the Great Bend Region of Hood Canal, WA
Presentation Abstract
This study utilizes benthic foraminiferal assemblages to explore the role of anthropogenic pollution in ecological changes to the Great Bend region of Hood Canal in Puget Sound. Hood Canal is a restricted waterway which is home to economically important fisheries and a military base. Within the waters of Hood Canal, seasonal hypoxia and eutrophication cycles have been attributed to natural causes and non-point source pollutants. Eleven grab samples from locations in the Great Bend area of Hood Canal were analyzed to explore the relationship between benthic foraminiferal assemblage sand anthropogenic pollution in this basin. Samples were collected in 1992 by Shoreline Community College and in 2013 by the Department of Ecology and the United States Geological Survey. Both years the foraminiferal assemblages are dominated by calcareous species, but with substantial components of agglutinate taxa. In 1992 the most prominent species were Buccella frigida, Buliminella elegantissima, and Eggerella advena. The 2013 dominant assemblage was B. elegantissima, Elphidium excavatum, Nonionella stella and Ammobaculites sp.. The presence of E. advena (an opportunistic species) may indicate stressed environments, such as sewage outfall and industrial pollution, while the B. elegantissima and N. stella are often found in dysoxic environments. Ammobaculites is often found in environments with an abundance of nutrients. Species richness in Hood Canal is higher than many other locations in the Puget Sound, with 23 species in 1992 and 26 in 2013. Diversity indices, however, show a small decrease between sample years; higher diversity indices often suggest a healthier habitat. The increase in assemblage dominance of dysoxic and high nutrient indicator species in 2013 suggests an increase in eutrophication in this portion of Hood Canal. The decrease in E. advena in 2013 may signal less anthropogenic stress, however with diversity indices also showing a decrease, the picture is unclear.
Session Title
THE LIVING SEAFLOOR: BIOGENIC SEABED HABITATS
Conference Track
Habitat
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Poster
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Foraminifera--Monitoring--Washington (State)--Hood Canal; Environmental monitoring--Washington (State)--Hood Canal; Coastal ecology--Washington (State)--Hood Canal; Foraminifera--Geographical distribution
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Hood Canal (Wash.)--Environmental aspects;
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Environmental Monitoring Using Foraminiferal Assemblages in the Great Bend Region of Hood Canal, WA
2016SSEC
This study utilizes benthic foraminiferal assemblages to explore the role of anthropogenic pollution in ecological changes to the Great Bend region of Hood Canal in Puget Sound. Hood Canal is a restricted waterway which is home to economically important fisheries and a military base. Within the waters of Hood Canal, seasonal hypoxia and eutrophication cycles have been attributed to natural causes and non-point source pollutants. Eleven grab samples from locations in the Great Bend area of Hood Canal were analyzed to explore the relationship between benthic foraminiferal assemblage sand anthropogenic pollution in this basin. Samples were collected in 1992 by Shoreline Community College and in 2013 by the Department of Ecology and the United States Geological Survey. Both years the foraminiferal assemblages are dominated by calcareous species, but with substantial components of agglutinate taxa. In 1992 the most prominent species were Buccella frigida, Buliminella elegantissima, and Eggerella advena. The 2013 dominant assemblage was B. elegantissima, Elphidium excavatum, Nonionella stella and Ammobaculites sp.. The presence of E. advena (an opportunistic species) may indicate stressed environments, such as sewage outfall and industrial pollution, while the B. elegantissima and N. stella are often found in dysoxic environments. Ammobaculites is often found in environments with an abundance of nutrients. Species richness in Hood Canal is higher than many other locations in the Puget Sound, with 23 species in 1992 and 26 in 2013. Diversity indices, however, show a small decrease between sample years; higher diversity indices often suggest a healthier habitat. The increase in assemblage dominance of dysoxic and high nutrient indicator species in 2013 suggests an increase in eutrophication in this portion of Hood Canal. The decrease in E. advena in 2013 may signal less anthropogenic stress, however with diversity indices also showing a decrease, the picture is unclear.
