| Study ID | PSAMP_SP |
| Study Name | The Puget Sound Assessment and Monitoring Program's (PSAMP) Spatial/Temporal Monitoring |
| EIM Data Entry Review Status | Reviewed |
| Study Type | Routine ambient monitoring |
| Study Purpose | The overall goals of the sediment monitoring component of the PSAMP are to:
1. Assess the health of Puget Sound sediments and document geographic patterns in the conditions of the sediments.
2. Document natural and human-caused changes over time in Puget Sound sediments.
3. Identify existing sediment problems and, where possible, provide data to help target sources.
4. Provide sediment data to assist the Puget Sound Action Team and others in measuring the success of environmental programs.
5. Support sediment-related research activities by making available scientifically valid sediment quality data.
Specific objectives of the spatial surveys are to:
1. Determine the incidence and severity of toxicity and chemical contamination of sediments.
2. Identify spatial patterns and changes in sediment toxicity and chemical concentrations as defined with the selected methods.
3. Estimate the spatial extent of toxicity and chemical contamination, as defined with the selected methods, in surface sediments as percentages of the total survey area.
4. Describe the composition, abundance, and diversity of sediment-dwelling organisms at each sampling location.
5. Determine the degree of agreement among the sediment chemistry, toxicity, and sediment-dwelling invertebrate communities in classification of sediment quality.
6. Determine the spatial patterns and extent of degraded conditions based upon a weight of evidence formed with the three sediment quality measures.
7. Compare the current extent of degraded conditions with baseline conditions to determine the change in sediment quality over time. |
| Field Collection Date Range | 6/1/1997 - 6/19/2014 |
| Data First/Last Loaded Date |  |
| Data Last Updated Date | |
| Ecology Program or Other Responsible Entity | Ecy Environmental Assessment Program |
| Ecology Contact | Sandra Weakland |
| Ecology Monitoring Program | Marine Sediments |
| Submitting Organization | |
| Study QA Planning Level | LEVEL 4: Approved QAPP or SAP. |
| Study QA Project Plan Description | The document serves as an expanded QAPP describing in detail the field sampling, laboratory procedures, analytical methods, quality assurance/control measures and data management needs of the sediment program. |
| Study QA Assessment Level | Level 5: Data Verified and Assessed for Usability in a Peer-Reviewed Study Report |
| Study Result Description | The current PSAMP Sediment Component Spatial Monitoring element provides environmental managers with a recent characterization of sediment condition (i.e., the spatial extent of sediment quality degradation) in eight Puget Sound regions sampled on an annual, rotational cycle. Temporal changes can also be assessed by comparison of new regional data with baseline data to determine whether sediment quality in each Puget Sound region is improving, degrading, or remaining the same over time. |
| Study Comment | A scientific collection Permit must be obtained from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife prior to sampling. |
| Linked Study | |
| Ecology Funding Number | |
| Ecology Facility/Site ID | |
| Ecology Cleanup Site ID | |
| Recommended QC Blank Censor Factor | |
| Study ID Aliases (Alias Type) | |