Marine water quality refers to aspects of water such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, nutrient levels, organic matter, and pH. A functioning, resilient Puget Sound ecosystem also includes marine sediment quality that supports healthy communities of sediment-dwelling invertebrates. The Marine Water Vital Sign tells us about the condition of marine waters and sediment in Puget Sound.
Marine water and sediment quality is affected by many different factors including weather, climate and circulation patterns, offshore ocean conditions, inflow from rivers and streams, discharges from wastewater treatment plants and industries, erosion and stormwater runoff, and other sources of pollution.
VITAL SIGN INDICATOR | INDICATOR PROGRESS | TARGET STATUS |
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VITAL SIGN INDICATOR | INDICATOR PROGRESS | TARGET STATUS |
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Although Puget Sound may look beautiful from the surface, marine water quality has changed in many ways. Monitoring programs document marine water quality and how Puget Sound changes over time. One challenge is gathering enough data – especially historical data – to truly understand what the ecosystem used to be like compared to now. Shifts over time in the expectations for a healthy ecosystem is referred to as “shifting baselines”. By establishing scientifically sound baselines for water quality parameters, researchers can detect changes and predict what Puget Sound will be like for future generations.
Many unknowns exist regarding Puget Sound’s future. Climate change is impacting the water cycle throughout Puget Sound, altering the seasonality and timing of key chemical, physical, and biological processes. Climate is a huge driver of marine water quality and the marine food web. As climate changes, so does the way plants and animals live in Puget Sound and how humans use Puget Sound’s resources.
Three decades of monitoring sediment chemistry, toxicity, and benthic invertebrates indicate:
Implementation Strategy
The Partnership and its affiliated network of researchers works with the three Strategic Initiative Lead Teams on Implementation Strategy development and operationalization. Please read more about these teams and our shared work at https://pugetsoundestuary.wa.gov/recovering-puget-sound/
Indicator Targets