Presentation Abstract
Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.), the dominant seagrass in the Pacific Northwest region, is an ecologically important component of the marine nearshore throughout greater Puget Sound, WA. Eelgrass and other seagrasses are known to provide extensive ecosystem services worldwide, but are under threat from a suite of anthropogenic stressors, notably nutrient and sediment loading associated with coastal development and population growth. Loading sources span from atmospheric deposition to thousands of outfalls that range from small manmade or natural drainages to the largest permitted facilities in the country. Research has demonstrated seagrasses uptake nutrients, metals and organic contaminants with varied physiological effects, but little is known about the concentration of these substances in eelgrass throughout greater Puget Sound.
In support of the Puget Sound Partnership’s goal to increase eelgrass area by 20% by 2020 and to improve our understanding of key seagrass stressors, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources conducted research on the proximity of loading sources and potential trace pollutants in eelgrass. The project characterized loading sources and conducted a spatial analysis of these sources to identify potential hotspots for risk to eelgrass. In addition, the project assessed baseline concentrations of nutrients, metals, and organic contaminants in eelgrass at 15 sites across Puget Sound and at one additional site where changes in an outfall were anticipated. The concentration of nutrients, metals and organic contaminants in eelgrass aligned with anticipated loading at a few locations, but the pattern was not consistent across all sites and analytes measured. The study provides a valuable baseline of nutrient, metal and contaminant concentrations in eelgrass at a time when resource managers face challenges protecting eelgrass to maintain a healthy and functioning ecosystem.
Session Title
The Role of Eelgrass Ecosystems in the Salish Sea
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
Oral
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)
Zostera marina--Effect of heavy metals on--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Marine ecology--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Zostera marina--Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Estuarine ecology--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)
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
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons
Assessment of nutrient, metal, and organic contaminant concentrations in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) in Puget Sound, WA (USA)
2016SSEC
Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.), the dominant seagrass in the Pacific Northwest region, is an ecologically important component of the marine nearshore throughout greater Puget Sound, WA. Eelgrass and other seagrasses are known to provide extensive ecosystem services worldwide, but are under threat from a suite of anthropogenic stressors, notably nutrient and sediment loading associated with coastal development and population growth. Loading sources span from atmospheric deposition to thousands of outfalls that range from small manmade or natural drainages to the largest permitted facilities in the country. Research has demonstrated seagrasses uptake nutrients, metals and organic contaminants with varied physiological effects, but little is known about the concentration of these substances in eelgrass throughout greater Puget Sound.
In support of the Puget Sound Partnership’s goal to increase eelgrass area by 20% by 2020 and to improve our understanding of key seagrass stressors, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources conducted research on the proximity of loading sources and potential trace pollutants in eelgrass. The project characterized loading sources and conducted a spatial analysis of these sources to identify potential hotspots for risk to eelgrass. In addition, the project assessed baseline concentrations of nutrients, metals, and organic contaminants in eelgrass at 15 sites across Puget Sound and at one additional site where changes in an outfall were anticipated. The concentration of nutrients, metals and organic contaminants in eelgrass aligned with anticipated loading at a few locations, but the pattern was not consistent across all sites and analytes measured. The study provides a valuable baseline of nutrient, metal and contaminant concentrations in eelgrass at a time when resource managers face challenges protecting eelgrass to maintain a healthy and functioning ecosystem.
Comments
Washington State Department of Natural Resources Eelgrass Stressor Response Program: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/programs-and-services/aquatics/aquatic-science/nearshore-habitat-eelgrass-stressor-response-project
Puget Sound Marine and Nearshore Grant Program: http://wdfw.wa.gov/grants/ps_marine_nearshore/funded_projects.html