Presentation Abstract
Results of the first survey of acidification in Bellingham Bay demonstrate corrosive water in the center of the bay. Low levels of pH (7.5) and aragonite saturation state (0.5) were observed near the region of seasonal hypoxia. Measurements of the input of dissolved inorganic carbon and alkalinity from the Nooksack River, sediment flux, the Post Point WWTP, and deep water, along with measurements of respiration indicate that relatively high rates of respiration in the bay are largely responsible for the acidic water. Sediments are an important contribution to alkalinity. Model results suggest that acidification is seasonal and that water column pH is affected by both respiration and rates of mean circulation in the bay.
Session Title
Ocean Acidification: Observations and Monitoring in Salish Sea Waters
Keywords
Acidic bottom water, Bellingham Bay
Conference Track
SSE5: Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation, and Research
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE5-437
Start Date
5-4-2018 10:45 AM
End Date
5-4-2018 11:00 AM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Ocean acidification--Washington (State)--Bellingham Bay; Alkaline earth compounds--Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Bellingham Bay; Inorganic compounds--Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Bellingham Bay
Geographic Coverage
Bellingham Bay (Wash.); Salish Sea (B.C. and 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, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Sources of acidic bottom water in Bellingham Bay, Washington
Results of the first survey of acidification in Bellingham Bay demonstrate corrosive water in the center of the bay. Low levels of pH (7.5) and aragonite saturation state (0.5) were observed near the region of seasonal hypoxia. Measurements of the input of dissolved inorganic carbon and alkalinity from the Nooksack River, sediment flux, the Post Point WWTP, and deep water, along with measurements of respiration indicate that relatively high rates of respiration in the bay are largely responsible for the acidic water. Sediments are an important contribution to alkalinity. Model results suggest that acidification is seasonal and that water column pH is affected by both respiration and rates of mean circulation in the bay.
