Ruth Sofield

Collaboration with the Port of Anacortes

Collaboration with the Port of Anacortes

Ruth M. Sofield, PhD

Environmental Sciences Department, The College of the Environment at WWU

Background

In 2010, the students in the Research of a MTCA Cleanup Site courses (which have now evolved into the SMoCS courses) worked extensively with the Port of Anacortes to learn about the Former Scott Paper Mill site (the Scott site). The Scott site was on property owned by the Port adjacent to Fidalgo bay in Anacortes, WA. The students learned about the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and cleanup decisions using the Scott site as a case study. Students also proposed, designed, and implemented research to conduct on the site or related to the site. At the end of the summer, students presented some of their findings at a Port Commission Meeting. The Port supported the courses and the research with joint funding efforts from the Department of Natural Resources, the State of Washington and the Department of Ecology. John Herzog, of GeoEngineers donated his time and knowledge to help the students with field work related to the research.

The research conducted by the students included both lab and field based projects. The majority of the projects focused on the in-water cleanup of contaminated sediments, but two projects focused on benchtop demonstration of mycoremediation of benzo(a)pyrene contaminated soils. This resulted in six senior projects and five presentations at the 2010 National Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America in Portland, OR. The senior projects were:

  • Brian Church and Nick Galvin used the white-rot fungus, Pleurotus ostreatus, to degrade benzo[a]pyrene under variable surfactant amendments in spiked soils. Decreases in benzo[a]pyrene were measured to determine rates of degradation. Enzymatic acitivity of the fungi were also measured.
  • Carly Greyell and Emily Halley deployed mussel cages at the site with Mytilus galloprovinicialis. Dredging activities were partially completed when the cages were deployed, allowing the students to investigate the effects of dredged, but uncapped sediments and undredged sediments near pilings. Mussel growth, survival, and enzyme activities were analyzed.
  • Matt Perkins investigated the effects of wood waste collected from the site on laboratory maintained mussels (Mytilus galloprovinicialis). He studied effects on growth, survival, and enzyme activity.
  • Siobhan Sloan-Evans collected sediment samples when the mussel cages were retrieved. The sediments were analyzed for Cu, Pb, and PAHs. Toxicity tests of the sediment or elutriate included changes in bioluminescence of the marine dinoflagellates (Pyrocystis lunula) and a 20-day juvenile polychaete growth test, using Neanthes arenaceodentata. The results were analyzed in conjunction with the mussel cage and native periphyton colonization results as a Sediment Quality Triad.

Current Status

The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the reopening of Seafarer’s Memorial Park and completion of the in-water cleanup at the Port’s portion of the Scott site was held on May 20, 2011. Pictures of the amazing transformation are at the bottom of this page. All of the students involved in the research at WWU have graduated. Some of them have gone on to work at environmental consulting firms, such as Hart Crowser Inc., Whatcom Environmental Services, and Windward Environmental. Others have continued in research at universities or government agencies, such as Oregon State University, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the University of Massachusetts (Boston), and Western Washington University. The research conducted by the students on the Scott site is completed. The next steps are to combine the different senior projects into publishable work.

Our partners

These projects had support from many people. Without their help, the projects would not have been as interesting, fun, or complete.

  • Alan Bergmann and Emily Duncanson – Environmental Science undergrads who helped with the senior projects. Other students helped with planning and initial lab work, including Bonnie Blalock, Katie Foster, Stephanie Eckard, Dan Heimbigner, and Terry Webb.
  • Applied Biomonitoring, Michael and Sandra Salazar – Provided equipment, training, and expertise on the mussel cages.
  • Bob Elsner who was with the Port of Anacortes and John Herzog of GeoEngineers – This work would never happened without them. They brainstormed with us, supported us, and let us forge ahead.Thanks!
  • The Huxley College of the Environment – Provided laboratory space for Carly, Emily, Siobhan, and Nick’s research. Manca Valum and Brad Smith were instrumental in helping obtain the funding for these projects.
  • Shannon Point Marine Center and Denise Crowe – Shannon Point provided a place to work from during the mussel deployment. Denise helped coordinate activities in Anacortes.
  • Washington State Department of Ecology Toxics Cleanup Program – Tim Nord and Dawn Hooper were essential in all aspects of this experience, from facilitating the funding to lecturing in classes.
  • WWU Institute of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry and April Markiewicz – Provided lab space for Matt and Brian’s research. April helped with field sampling and planning.