Puget Sound, home to around 4.5 million people, is one of the only highly urbanized fjord estuaries in the world. As a result, thousands of toxic contaminants from sources including industry, agriculture, and households have been entering Puget Sound for decades. Many of these contaminants persist in the environment and are difficult to remove.
Some contaminants are present at levels that may pose health risks for one or more species, including those listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and we do not yet fully understand the risks posed to humans and wildlife from the combined effects of multiple contaminants.
Most toxic contaminants in Puget Sound are found in urban bays, close to their sources. Aquatic species residing in these areas can be exposed to contaminant levels high enough to impact their health and affect other species and people who consume them. However, because much of Puget Sound is less developed, overall levels of contamination remain low and most seafood is safe to consume.
TBiOS conducts monitoring studies identify areas of greatest concern, inform source tracing, and help focus cleanup efforts in addition to tracking contaminant trends over time.
By conducting monitoring and source tracing studies on key indicator species for over 30 years, WDFW's Toxics Biological Observation System (TBiOS) team is able to provide data to other agencies, tribal governments, and organizations in support of Puget Sound recovery efforts.
As a member of the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program, TBiOS contributes to the Puget Sound Partnership's Vital Sign indicators, providing data on ecosystem health and progress towards Puget Sound recovery goals. TBiOS also partners with NOAA Fisheries and the University of Washington for research studies and collaborates with tribes to work towards recovery. Fish and shellfish data is provided to the Washington State Department of Health for seafood safety.
TBiOS surveys provide data for:
Hot spot identification and source tracing
TBiOS conducts detailed studies in river systems and watersheds to map areas that indicate significant contamination, called hot spots. Once an area has been identified as a hot spot for contaminants, further studies are done locate the primary point of entry.
Vital Signs
The Puget Sound Partnership’s Toxics in Aquatic Life Vital Sign indicator is used to communicate the status of chemical contaminants in key species and identify whether conditions in marine environments are improving or getting worse.
Informing regulatory action
TBiOS provides data to the Washington State Department of Ecology to help guide environmental quality rulemaking and regulatory enforcement.
News
TBiOS scientists identified a major source of toxic contaminants affecting salmon in the Snohomish River, leading to stricter wastewater controls and monitoring to improve water quality. An analysis of salmon in the Snohomish River system revealed that juvenile Chinook salmon were being exposed to high levels of a type of toxic flame retardants known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), with the primary source of these harmful PBDEs traced to the Everett Water Pollution Control Facility.
Washington State Mussel Watch provides valuable data on a wide range of toxics present in their local environment, and how levels of contaminants may change over time. Toxic contaminants monitored include legacy chemicals — those banned years ago but persist in the environment for a long time — as well as emerging contaminants and heavy metals.
Review data from the 2021-2022 Mussel Watch in the latest Stormwater Action Monitoring status report.