Puget Sound is becoming more acidic thanks to a combination of agricultural runoff and rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
A combination of carbon dioxide emitted by human activities and nutrient runoff is transforming the chemistry of Washington state’s Puget Sound, according to a new study.
Read the whole story at Scientific American:
-This threatens our entire shellfish industry, as well as other possible life forms. Runoff is one of the major causes, a reason that we value better shoreline management to slow or stop shoreline runoff. Also, stormwater runoff is another cause, which comes from roads with improperly created storm sewers. Getting funding at the state level to correct these as quickly as possible is key.
While I have your attention: It may be a good time to review the map, commissioned by People For Puget Sound, done by the UW GIS group. It shows the exact locations of every one of the 4500 manmade storm sewers that empty to the Sound, along with 2123 natural drainages, and 297 DOT created drainages, including bridges.
http://pugetsound.org/pressroom/press-releases/042309stormdrains/?searchterm=storm%20water%20map
Filed under: Climate Change, Government, Puget Sound, Salish Sea | Tagged: acidification, Hood Canal, ocean, Puget Sound, runoff |
