It was fairly alarming, even to scientists, to hear the latest research regarding ocean acidification — a powerful change in ocean chemistry that results from excess carbon dioxide passing from the atmosphere into the oceans of the world. One of the most alarming reports came from Richard Feely, senior scientist at NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental …
PSI launches “Our Water Ways” blog
We are pleased to announce that we are launching a new blog from veteran environmental journalist Christopher Dunagan. Chris has been a senior writer at the Puget Sound Institute since 2015 and has written dozens of in-depth stories for our science magazine Salish Sea Currents. That signature reporting will continue, but now Chris will be …
Welcome to ‘Our Water Ways,’ a blog about Puget Sound and all things water-related
Welcome to “Our Water Ways,” a new blog I’m writing for the Puget Sound Institute with a name that will sound familiar to some. For the past 12 years, I’ve been writing a blog called “Watching Our Water Ways” for the Kitsap Sun. Now, my blogging efforts will have a new home. I’ve outlined the …
2020 NEP funding announced
Three inter-agency teams at the state of Washington have announced their recommendations for the distribution of more than $10.9 million dollars in National Estuary Program Geographic Funds for Puget Sound in 2020. The funding is provided annually by the Environmental Protection Agency to support habitat protection, stormwater mitigation and the protection of shellfish beds. The …
Remembering Bill Ruckelshaus
It is one of the most famous examples of the influence of science on environmental policy. In 1972, the first head of the EPA, William Ruckelshaus, faced “a preponderance of the evidence” showing the effects of the pesticide DDT on birds and other wildlife. By then, Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring had become a classic, …
Rate of ocean acidification may accelerate, scientists warn
Last summer, scientists met at the University of Washington to address alarming findings concerning the rapid acidification of the world’s oceans. Experts at that symposium warned that wildlife in the Salish Sea, from salmon to shellfish, may start to see significant effects from changing water chemistry within the next 10 to 20 years. PSI senior …
Job opportunity for postdoctoral research scientist
The Puget Sound Institute is hiring a post-doctoral research scientist. The listing from UW Human Resources is below. POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST 2 Req #: 165198 Department: UW TACOMA-CENTER FOR URBAN WATERS Job Location: UW Tacoma Posting Date: 11/15/2019 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: Salary and benefits are competitive. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and …
Keeping watch on seabird health
Scientists are still trying to understand what caused the deaths of thousands of rhinoceros auklets in the Salish Sea in 2016. Some studies point to disease as a central factor in that incident and potentially other large seabird die-offs along the coast. That is prompting a deeper look at what makes these birds sick, and …
Puget Sound Partnership issues biennial State of the Sound Report
The Puget Sound Partnership has released its biennial report on the most recent status and trends for Puget Sound recovery. The following is a reprint of a news release from the Partnership about its 2019 State of the Sound Report. News release October 2, 2019 Puget Sound Partnership MEDIA CONTACT: Jon Bridgman, 206.276.5309, jon.bridgman@psp.wa.gov 2019 …
Kelp crisis? Decline of underwater forests raises alarms
At first, the decline of kelp in Puget Sound seemed unlikely. This signature, leafy algae was thought to be especially hearty and resistant to some of the stressors that have affected other shoreline species like eelgrass. It was hard to go to a beach in Puget Sound and not find long strands of bull kelp …
PSI in the news: ‘Salmon on Prozac’ and more
PSI’s Andy James is collaborating with scientists at NOAA and Washington State University to understand how wastewater affects juvenile salmon in Puget Sound. The study is led by Jim Meador of NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Sciences Center and focuses on discharge from three major sewage treatment plants in King County. Wastewater will be analyzed at the …
EPA announces $27.5 million in funding for Puget Sound
The Puget Sound Institute is one of more than a dozen organizations in the state of Washington to receive funds this year from the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Estuary Program. The agency awarded $27.5 million in grants in 2019 to organizations working to protect and restore the Puget Sound ecosystem. A news release from the …