The Effect of Climate Change on the Communities of the Puget Sound Basin.
By Alex Shaw
12/1/2014 - 2/6/15
Science proposal
The summer of 2014 was the hottest on record, and with the advancement of global
warming and the resulting climate change we can expect more hot summers, warmer winters,
less snowfall, and increased flooding, . “NOAA reports that August ended 0.75 degrees Celsius
above the 20th century average, while the summer months, June through August, were 0.71
degrees warmer than normal.” (Washington Post, 2014). The Puget Sound region hosts a diverse
ecosystem from the alpine meadows and glaciers to the marine coast, and each of these areas will
be impacted by this change. This impact will then affect our way of life through rising sea levels,
water shortages, and changes to our native ecosystem. “Continued increases in temperature, …
Continued increases in water temperature, … Continued alteration of river and stream flows, …
Increased flooding, … Accelerated rates of sea level rise, … Loss of nearshore habitat, … Salt
marshes at risk, … Further pressures on salmon, … Warmer water temperature, … Increased
likelihood of algal blooms and low oxygen concentrations in bottom waters.” (Climate Change
and Its Effect on Puget Sound, pg.6/7). This presentation explores one of the more profound
changes we are facing, and what the citizens of our region can do to lessen the impact.
Real World Impact
Climate Change is being observed around the world and its effects are getting worse each
year. The Puget Sound is an essential part of life in Western Washington. It is part of the
transportation system, provides plant and animal support, as well as providing a portion of the
regional food cycle.
This activity will look at the changes in the water of the Sound, and it’s potential for long
and short term effects on the plants, wildlife and people of the region. Water testing sites were
selected based on area populations and how far apart they are from each other.
Topic
During my investigation I will be looking at 4 different areas around the Puget Sound;
Squamish Harbor (Hood Canal), Salt Water State Park (Redondo), Commencement Bay
(Tacoma), and the Edmonds Underwater Park. I will be collecting data such as Dissolved Carbon
Dioxide, PH Levels (using strips), PH levels (using a probe), and Micro invertebrate’s levels.
Variables
IV- The location of the water samples
DV- Levels of dissolved carbon dioxide, pH levels (using a probe), and Micro invertebrate’s
levels, weather (affects water turbidity)
repeated trials- 3 (for all different tests)
constants- time of day, method of collection, spot were sample is taken
control group- water in the different areas
Collect the results- over 30 minutes, collected at a depth of 1 fathom
Research Question
Research Question: Does the amount of dissolved CO2 affect the PH level? Then how does that
affect animal life? I believed that as ocean warming continues we will see an increase in the
dissolved CO2 levels, which will in turn have a negative impact on the marine life in Puget
Sound.
Set up
Materials;
Procedure;
First obtain all materials listed above. Then take the urine sample cups and using the
dermal and drill bit; drill one hole near the lip of the cup so it only has 1 hole on one side. Then
taking the fishing line feed it through the hole so it loops up so the line is parallel to itself, slide
fishing weight so it sits in the cup with the line holding it in, tie a half hitch knot so secure it.
Then tie 2 to 5 half hitch knots on the line the parallel to itself; to make sure the cup wont slide
off the line.
Then go to marked sites take the cup toss it to the water let it sink a little. Pull it back up
perform the various tests with the probes. Get small sample containers open and transfer
collected water into it, close lid seal tightly. Dump extra water, clean equipment, repeat gathering
steps for other sites, when done collecting data compile your data.
Data Collection/Presentation
Other Data: I will collect pictures and bring back water samples. I also will get a map of
the Puget Sound region and labels to show where I went to collect my data. Here are some
graphs and tables (organized by what they will show) that I will use to show the data I collected.
Areas in the Puget Sound vs. Dissolved Carbon Dioxide
Trial 1
Trial 2
Saltwater State Park
(Redondo)
Squamish Harbor
(Hood Canal)
Commencement Bay
(Tacoma)
Trial 3
Edmonds Underwater Park
Areas in the Puget Sound vs. PH Levels (strips)
Trial 1
Saltwater State Park
(Redondo)
Squamish Harbor
(Hood Canal)
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 2
Trial 3
Commencement Bay
(Tacoma)
Edmonds Underwater Park
Areas in the Puget Sound vs. PH levels (probe)
Trial 1
Saltwater State Park
(Redondo)
Squamish Harbor
(Hood Canal)
Commencement Bay
(Tacoma)
Edmonds Underwater Park
Areas in the Puget Sound vs. Micro invertebrates
Trial 1
Saltwater State Park
(Redondo)
Squamish Harbor
(Hood Canal)
Commencement Bay
(Tacoma)
Trial 2
Trial 3
Edmonds Underwater Park
Dissolved Carbon Dioxide By Area
1.5
PH levels (probe) By Area
1.5
Area 1
1
Area 2
0.5
0
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Area 1
1
Area 3
0.5
Area 4
0
Area 2
Area 3
Area 4
test 1
test2
test 3
References
Busch, D., Greene, C., & Good, T. ( 2013). Estimating Effects of Tidal Power Projects and
Climate Change on Threatened and Endangered Marine Species and Their Food Web.
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Climate Change And It's Effects On Puget sound. (2005, October 1). Retrieved January 4, 2015,
from http://cses.washington.edu/db/pdf/snoveretalpsat461.pdf
Elsner, M., Cuo, L., Voisin, N., Deems, J., Hamlet, A., Vano, J., ... Lettenmaier, D. (2010).
Implications of 21st century climate change for the hydrology of Washington State.
Climatic Change, 102(1-2), 225-260.
Feely, R. A., Alin, S. R., Newton, J., Sabine, C. L.,Warner, M., Devol, A., … & Maloy, C. (2010).
The combined effects of ocean acidification, mixing, and respiration on pH and
carbonate saturation in an urbanized estuary. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 88,
442e449
Fritz, A. (2014, September 18). Summer 2014 was record warmest on Earth, says NOAA.
Retrieved December 16, 2014, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capitalweather-gang/wp/2014/09/18/june-july-august-set-record-for-warmest-summer-on-earthsays-noaa/
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H. M. (2014). From mountains to sound: modelling the sensitivity of Dungeness crab
and Pacific oyster to land–sea interactions in Hood Canal, WA. – ICES Journal of
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Welch, D. (200). Fisheries: Pacific coast salmon. In T. Munn, I. Douglas, M. C. MacCracken, H.
A. Mooney, P., M. K. Tolba, et al. Vol. 3: Causes and Consequences of Global
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