The purposes of the ambient water quality monitoring (AWQM)
program are: to establish baseline water quality data and
characterize the waters of the Swinomish Indian Reservation;
identify water bodies which fail to meet proposed water quality
standards; and assess the effectiveness of existing regulations in
protecting water resources.
Ambient water quality monitoring includes four basic components:
ambient monitoring of conventional parameters (pH, temperature,
dissolved oxygen, conductivity, salinity, turbidity, and fecal
coliform bacteria); bioassessments on perennial creeks; shoreline
assessments in estuarine waters; and toxic pollutant sampling in
at-risk waters of the Reservation.
Conventional Parameters
Conventional physical parameters (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and salinity, and turbidity) and fecal coliform bacteria concentration are measured at 26 stations as part of the ambient monitoring program. Conventional parameters are measured twice a month at all stations and fecal coliform once a month.
Field monitoring, sample collection, laboratory analyses, and data analyses are conducted according to methods outlined in the SITC Water Quality Monitoring Plan, which includes an EPA approved Quality Assurance Project Plan and the SITC Water Quality Program Manual.
Water quality data is collected using a Hydrolab Minisonde 4 and Surveyor 4 (pH, temp, DO, conductivity, salinity), secchi disk (marine water clarity) and Hach 2100P portable turbidimeter (turbidity). Avocet Environmental Laboratory in Bellingham, WA analyzes bacteria samples using the membrane filter method. A VanDorn sampling bottle is used to collect marine water samples from a depth of 1-2m below the water surface for fecal coliform and turbidity analyses.
Stream Bioassessments
Stream Bioassessments and Habitat
Surveys are conducted on the three Reservation perennial streams on
a triennial basis. The purpose is to monitor the creeks for any
changes to the biological integrity of the stream ecosystem.
The results of the bioassessments are compared to past results to determine the long term trend of stream ecosystem integrity.
The streams are sampled for macroinvertebrates (insects) which are sent to a lab to be counted and identified. Based on the amount and type of macroinvertebrates, the streams are rated on their biological integrity.
The streams are also mapped for geomorphic features such as width, depth, stream bank type, buffer widths, pools and riffles, and sediment charateristics.
Nearshore Surveys
Shoreline Assessments or Nearshore Surveys involve
the monitoring of the nearshore environment for long term trends or
changes in vegetation and sediment regimes on the beach.
The Nearshore Survey is made up of three parts: beach profiles; vegetation monitoring; and sediment monitoring on four Reservation beaches.
Vegetation and sediment monitoring are conducted along transects at regular intervals. Quarter Square meter grids are used for percent coverage of vegetation as well as plots for the visual sediment characterization.
Beach Profiles are conducted along the same transect as the veg & sed grids. A standard transit and rod technique is used. Creative use of flashlights is need for the winter time surveys when the low tides occur at night.
Beach Profiles are conducted along the same transect as the veg & sed grids. A standard transit and rod technique is used. Creative use of flashlights is need for the winter time surveys when the low tides occur at night.
Toxics Monitoring
PURPOSE: The WRP conducts bi-annual trend monitoring
for toxic pollutants within the regulated waters of the Swinomish
Reservation to determine if toxics in marine sediments may cause a
health risk to those utilizing the tidelands and/or tideland
resources.
BACKGROUND: The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (Tribe) is
conducting trend monitoring for toxic pollutants within the
regulated waters of the Swinomish Indian Reservation on a yearly
basis. The Swinomish Toxics Monitoring Program will comprise the
first comprehensive sampling plan and analyses of potential toxic
pollutants in sediment located on Reservation tidelands.
Most toxics, once released into the water, bind with clay
particles and settle to the bottom, where they remain bio-available
for long periods of time. While toxics in waters may quickly
dissipate, toxic breakdown components will remain in the sediment,
eventually progressing up the food chain and biomagnifying; this
process can occur before any contamination is detected in the water
column. Therefore, sampling sediments is a more viable method of
tracking the quantifiable amount of toxics accumulating over the
long term within the water. If a significant increasing trend in
toxics is discovered, or if toxics levels are found to exceed
sediment quality standards, the Tribe can initiate a more
comprehensive and detailed investigation.
GOAL: Determine if there are significant trends in toxics
concentrations; or if toxics levels are found to exceed sediment
quality standards, more comprehensive and detailed investigations
can be initiated.
METHODS: The Toxics Monitoring is a comprehensive sampling plan
and analysis of potential toxic pollutants in sediment on
Reservation tidelands. Sampling sediments is a viable method of
tracking the measurable amount of toxics accumulating in the water
over time. Sediments at selected sites (about 10) will be sampled
once every 2 years from the Research Vessel or by walking the
beaches. Chemicals analyzed include: polyaromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs), heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn), tributyltin
(TBT), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy oils.
RESULTS: Sediments have been sampled in 2002 and 2004 and will be
compared when the lab results are in.