Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
pH is the primary factor in ocean acidification. It is influenced by water chemistry, biological aspects, seasonal changes, and human activity. Low pH (acidic conditions) can contribute to hypoxia, coral bleaching, and other dangerous conditions for the ecosystem. In this study, the effects of ocean acidification in Possession Sound were examined over a five-year period, with the context of seasonal plankton blooms and changes in river discharge. This was accomplished using a YSI EXO Sonde periodically deployed nearshore in Mukilteo, Washington, USA used in partnership with Ocean Research College Academy. This site, being within the Snohomish River Estuary, is affected by both oceanic factors, as well as the Snohomish River and any runoff that comes through those waters. These measurements create a depiction of changing pH in Possession Sound. This suggests that the area goes through cycles of pH levels throughout the year, with the most prominent trends being seasonal and related to upwelling. As climate change progresses, consistent monitoring of ocean pH will be essential to preserving marine and estuarine ecosystems. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the impact of ocean acidification, which is vital to the future of the Salish Sea and the communities that rely on it.
Session Title
Poster Session 3: Land - Water Connections
Conference Track
SSE14: Posters
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-posters-136
Start Date
27-4-2022 4:00 PM
End Date
27-4-2022 4:30 PM
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)
Ocean acidification--Washington (State)--Possession Sound; Water acidification--Washington (State)--Snohomish River Estuary; Estuarine health--Washington (State)--Snohomish River Estuary; Stream measurements--Washington (State)--Snohomish River Estuary
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Snohomish River Estuary (Wash.); Possession Sound (Wash.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
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
Estuary Acidification: A five-year perspective on pH in Possession Sound, Washington
pH is the primary factor in ocean acidification. It is influenced by water chemistry, biological aspects, seasonal changes, and human activity. Low pH (acidic conditions) can contribute to hypoxia, coral bleaching, and other dangerous conditions for the ecosystem. In this study, the effects of ocean acidification in Possession Sound were examined over a five-year period, with the context of seasonal plankton blooms and changes in river discharge. This was accomplished using a YSI EXO Sonde periodically deployed nearshore in Mukilteo, Washington, USA used in partnership with Ocean Research College Academy. This site, being within the Snohomish River Estuary, is affected by both oceanic factors, as well as the Snohomish River and any runoff that comes through those waters. These measurements create a depiction of changing pH in Possession Sound. This suggests that the area goes through cycles of pH levels throughout the year, with the most prominent trends being seasonal and related to upwelling. As climate change progresses, consistent monitoring of ocean pH will be essential to preserving marine and estuarine ecosystems. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the impact of ocean acidification, which is vital to the future of the Salish Sea and the communities that rely on it.
