Long-term changes in sediment

We monitor Puget Sound seafloor habitat, sediment, and invertebrate communities to understand the health of this important marine water estuary.

Seafloor research, reports, and findings

Scientists in life jackets and hard hats collect sediment samples from a boat with a stainless steel scoop, a Van Veen grab sampler. — Scientists collect sediment samples.

Our team of scientists is studying the habitat and sediment found on the seafloor of Puget Sound, and the communities of invertebrate animals that live there, in an effort to understand changes that are occurring over time.

Learn more by reading our annual reports outlining our research and findings.

Long-term reports

Sediment Quality in Puget Sound, 1989-2015
Sediment Quality in Puget Sound: Changes in chemical contaminants and invertebrate communities at 10 sentinel stations, 1989–2015
Sediment Quality in Puget Sound: Changes in chemistry, toxicity, and benthic invertebrates at multiple geographic scales, 1989–2015
Temporal Monitoring of Puget Sound Sediments: Results of the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program, 1989-2000
Changes and Trends in Puget Sound Sediments: Results of the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program, 1989-2000

Regional reports

Sediment Quality in the Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, Changes over a Ten-Year Period
Sediment Quality Assessment of the Bays and Inlets of the San Juan Islands, Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Admiralty Inlet, 2002-2003 - full report
Sediment Quality in the Bays and Inlets of the San Juan Islands, Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Admiralty Inlet (2002-2003) - report summary

Hood Canal Regional Monitoring — 2004

Sediment Quality Assessment of Puget Sound's Hood Canal Region, 2004
Sediment Quality Assessment of the Hood Canal Region of Puget Sound, 2004: Spatial/Temporal Sediment Monitoring Element of the Puget Sound Assessment and Monitoring Program

Water quality, sediment quality, and benthos in Hood Canal

Focus on Hood Canal: Relationships between Sediment Quality, Dissolved Oxygen, and Benthic Invertebrates in Hood Canal
The Influence of Sediment Quality and Dissolved Oxygen on Benthic Invertebrate Communities in Hood Canal
Relationships between the Composition of the Benthos and Sediment and Water Quality Parameters in Hood Canal, WA: Task IV – Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen Program

Contact information

Julianne Ruffner
Acting Marine Monitoring Unit Supervisor
julianne.ruffner@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6154

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