Examining Nooksack River Water Quality Utilizing the Sand Dollar Bioassay System

Abstract:

The goal of my proposed research is to utilize the Sand Dollar Bioassay System to examine the water quality at various locations along the Nooksack River in Bellingham, WA. These specific locations are utilized by the Nooksack Indian Tribe as traditional fishing grounds for tribal members. The Bioassay test measures the survival rate of sand dollar larvae to detect the presence of toxins that affect larval development. The hypothesis for my research project is if the sand dollar larvae are affected by pollutants in the Nooksack River, then other aquatic organisms such as salmon larvae would be likely to be affected as well during developmental stages of life. Results from the 2018 bioassay test revealed that water samples collected from Nugent’s Corner had significantly lower percentage of normal larvae compared to all other sampling sites. One potential contaminant factor that may have contributed to my results is my sampling location was near a boat launch. In order to further analyze my results, I chose to focus on the Nugent’s Corner location for the 2019 bioassay tests. I wanted to test whether the water toxin was present all throughout this location. Two water samples were taken at the boat launch, two upstream and two downstream of the boat launch location. Results from this test revealed that the pollutant is present all throughout the Nugent’s Corner location. Some potential contaminant factors may be agricultural runoff and insecticide use on crops. It is important to examine water quality for the sake of natural resources and policy implications because, as the late Bill James, hereditary Chief of the Lummi People stated, "Pollution is really going to be the key in the future. How do we protect ourselves from it?"