Washington Puget Sound Environmental Issue

Puget Sound is a vibrant inlet of the Pacific Ocean that stretches deep into Washington. This is an ecologically vibrant area that has abundant biological resources. It inhabits marine creatures such as planktons, fish, mammals, birds and the green aquatic vegetation. However, in recent years, pollution of the inlet has led to the decline in the population of these aquatic creatures thus posing environmental issue in the area. This is a very resourceful stretch in Washington that many factories and the residents depend upon for survival. It offers water to the surrounding industries and the residents. It also provides food for the residents in form of fish and other edible aquatic creatures. Therefore, pollution of this inlet poses a major challenge to the thriving of Washington in general. A large portion of the Puget Sound may look green and healthy but the qualitative analysis from the ecological department has stipulated that this unique estuary has abundant environmental issues that need to be addressed. 

Background 

Puget Sound inlet was named by Captain George Vancouver in 1972. In this period, Puget Sound was known to be one of the richest inlets of the Pacific Ocean with millions of aquatic creatures. Therefore, these creatures allowed the native people to thrive since they could get all the resources from the inlet. However, the problems started with the increased number of explorers and foreigners in the area. Hunting and killing of indigenous species proved to be the major cause of this environmental issue. Therefore, these retrogressive actions violated the native culture of protecting and preserving aquatic animals. Research has corroborated that in the past 30 years, there has been a rapid decline in the number of aquatic species in the area. There has been a major recession in the number of salmons, bottom fish, and orcas which is majorly attributed to the rising concern of water pollution in this area. Therefore, if this trend continues, Puget Sound inlet is likely to harbor no aquatic life and consequently pose health problems for people living around. 

Urbanization has proved to be the major cause of this problem. Studies have clearly illustrated that the contamination level of toxins in Puget Sound is rising at a higher rate and this is depriving aquatic animals enough oxygen. Therefore, through the implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), recovery of some species has been going on so as to restore the status of the inlet. The major pollutants of the Puget Sound come from stormwater on highways and other harmful deposits from the vibrant industries in the area. Studies have also corroborated that Puget Sound has lost almost 70% of its aquatic species in a span of 125 years (Cordell, Levy & Toft, 2013). Therefore, there is a need for the concerned organizations to establish recovery strategies to restore the pride of Washington. If this trend continues, the inhabitants around the area will develop adverse health conditions that can pose danger to human life. Therefore, this topic is very important due to the fact that the increasing rate of pollution in this inlet is a threat to humanity. 

Cause and Effect 

Increased levels of bacteria, toxic chemicals, low dissolved oxygen and acidic waters are among the major causes of environmental pollution in Puget Sound. The largest proportion of these contaminants originate from animal wastes, oil spillages from ships, stormwater on roads, and human waste from the septic tanks. The increase in the number of bacteria in water normally reduces the number of shellfish harvested. It also makes the sandy beaches to be unsafe for humans. Oxygen is the most critical element that is fundamental for any living creature. Therefore, low levels of dissolved oxygen suffocate and consequently kill the aquatic creatures. Additionally, the increased farming processes have contaminated Puget Sound waters with large proportions of nitrogen which originates majorly from fertilizer. Nitrogen has proved to be too dangerous to aquatic life. It enhances a vibrant growth of algae which decomposes thus, absorbing large quantities of oxygen. This has a direct negative impact on the life of aquatic animals. 

The increasing levels of acidity have proved to be very harmful to aquatic life. This is majorly caused by spillages of crude oil in the area, deforestation, and contaminants from industries. Generally, acidity reduces the formation of shells and other organic materials in aquatic creatures. Therefore, it is more harmful to those aquatic creatures that need skeletons and shells for survivals. Acidity harms these creatures by dissolving their skeletal structures and other parts that are basic in nature. Finally, toxic chemicals in marine water accumulate in fish and other edible aquatic creatures thus posing health challenges to humans. Research has illustrated that Washington is among the leading areas with high cases of cancer (Cordell, Levy & Toft, 2013). Therefore, these toxic chemicals pose a huge threat to human life. Generally, the contamination of Puget Sound is a threat both to aquatic life and humanity. It has also contributed to a host of diseases to the inhabitants of the area. Therefore, there is need to mitigate the escalating rate of this harm to the society. 

Possible Solutions 

Controlling and conservation of stormwater from roads, industries, and farms proves to be a viable solution to the environmental issue that Puget Sound is facing. This can be achieved through enforcing the tree planting initiatives, establishing rain gardens and coming up with water recycling plants. This practice will help to infiltrate waste water thus reducing the number of contaminants that are channeled to Puget Sound. In the past, Puget Sound was so vibrant because of the green ecological conditions of Washington. Therefore, planting of more trees proves to be a long-term solution which will help to filter all the stormwater running on roads and farms. The government also needs to impose harsh laws for those found practicing deforestation. This action should be accompanied by tree planting practices so as to restore best ecological conditions in the area. The government should also come up with strategies to recycle all the stormwater that runs on highways and farms. This will help to reduce the level of contamination in Puget Sound. This is due to the fact that Puget Sound receives nearly 14 million pounds of contaminants on a yearly basis (Cordell, Levy & Toft, 2013). 

Another key solution is to regularly monitor the sediments and quality of Puget Sound water. This process involves measuring the pH, and the acid levels of rivers that drain into the inlet. The marine and ecological department can then analyze the exact source of the contaminants and determine the major contributor of these pollutants. Therefore, with this analysis, it makes it easy for the government to take stun actions for industries with poor drainage and sewerage systems. This approach also helps to analyze the exact type of aquatic creature that is severely affected. Identification of these creatures enables the marine department to come up with the best recovery solution. These two critical solutions can be implemented together since they complement each another. Therefore, the government should take an action to ensure that this problem is mitigated with urgency. 

In summary, the rising level of pollutants in Puget Sound is an environmental concern that needs to be addressed with much urgency. The environmental problems in Puget Sound not only have adverse effects on aquatic life but also impacts negatively on the healthy living conditions of humans. The major causes of these problems range from contaminants from industries, farms to oil spillages in the ocean. Therefore, the government needs to implement strategic ways to mitigate this problem. Conservation and controlling of stormwater from the road and farms prove to be a vital solution to this problem. This move will help to reduce the number of contaminants being channeled to Puget Sound. The continuous monitoring of contaminants in Puget Sound is another key solution that can help to identify the major contributors of contaminants to this inlet. The implementation of these solutions will help to mitigate this environmental issue which is a threat to both humanity and aquatic life. 

Reference

Cordell, J. R., Levy, C., & Toft, J. D. (2013). Ecological implications of invasive tunicates associated with artificial structures in Puget Sound, Washington, USA.  Biological invasions ,  15 (6), 1303-1318.