The Eastern North Pacific gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) have a long migration from their breeding grounds in Mexico to their feeding grounds in Alaska. A subgroup of the Eastern North Pacific stock, nicknamed the Sounders, deviate from the migratory path most gray whales follow to feed in the Salish Sea, typically between the months of March and May. Other studies show that gray whales feed on benthic organisms such as ghost shrimp. Studies conducted in the Arctic area of the gray whale migration route have seen sea ice playing an important role in the gray whales being able to enter the areas where they feed. One working hypothesis is that gray whale shifts in migration patterns are the direct result of climate change; this could explain why some of the Eastern North Pacific gray whales enter and feed in Possession Sound. I analyzed sightings data, shared by the Whale Museum and recorded in Possession Sound, WA from 2000-2022. These data, most of which were compiled by the Orca Network, were filtered to identify the number of visitations each month over the study period. Early analysis shows a phenological shift in the time of the gray whale's arrival and departure from Possession Sound. The shift shows an increase in the number of months gray whales are present in Possession Sound, from a March to May visit to a year-round presence. Although these results cannot explain the reason for the phenological shift, future research must look into related shifts in the Arctic ice formation as well as ambient air and water temperature shifts. Future research calculating density of ghost shrimp in Possession Sound will also indicate why this location is favored.

Zostera marina (eelgrass) is one of the many important biological features of Possession Sound, acting as a substrate for many microorganisms, a filter of greenhouse gases, and as protection for many species. The Possession Sound has been marked as a Seagrass Sanctuary by the Department of Natural Resources, which protects and monitors nearshore eelgrasses within the basin. By looking at what kinds of species are found in a marine environment, researchers can assess an ecosystem's overall health. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a data capture technique used by researchers that picks up DNA traces left behind by organisms, and shows their presence/absence in a given area. The study site, Mount Baker Terminal, lies inside the Possession Sound basin near Everett, Washington, and contains a large eelgrass bed. I collected 10 samples using passive filters submerged at various depths inside and outside the eelgrass bed in 2024 and processed at a WDFW lab. I analyzed these data and 40 additional samples collected by the Ocean Research College Academy from 2021-2024 using similar methods. I hypothesized that there would be more species such as crustaceans, fish, and other plants inside the eelgrass because of its ability to protect and maintain a nutrient-dense environment. These data will help shed light on species richness in each environment, which has potential implications for understanding the overall health of the ecosystem and the critical role eelgrass plays in the estuary.

Possession Sound, located between the city of Everett and Whidbey Island, is a part of both a key economic area and a bustling marine environment. Because of the marine activity, scientists study all sorts of parameters involving the water including noise. Numerous studies have assessed ambient noise in marine environments to investigate the influence of tidal forces on ambient noise. These reports found that tidal noise or “flow noise” is observed around the 0-100Hz range with the most significant impacts observed centered around 25hz. The Ocean Research College Academy operates a SoundTrap ST400 STD hydrophone mounted to Mount Baker Terminal that takes recordings daily for most of the year. Mount Baker Terminal is a small marine terminal operated by the Port of Everett, located just north of the town of Mukilteo. Using data collected from the hydrophone, I took measurements of ambient noise in root mean square amplitude centered around the 25hz range and compared that to NOAA tidal data at Everett, Washington. Using these data I investigated the potential presence of a relationship between the tides and ambient noise. When the initial measurements of root mean square amplitude were compared to tidal data from the area the results showed that tides had no significant impact on the ambient noise at Mount Baker Terminal. Investigating the effects of tides on ambient noise can be crucial to future acoustic research done by researchers in the area as results could be affected by noise created or affected by tides. Future analysis should investigate the impacts of other natural contributors to the soundscape such as rain and wind.

Ocean acidification is the reduction of pH in seawater due to increased carbon dioxide from fossil fuels in the atmosphere and other anthropogenic factors. Ocean acidification causes shellfish such as oysters to experience difficulty building their shells. Acidification trends in the North Pacific Basin are well documented, yet pH trends in Possession Sound, a salt-wedge estuary located in the Salish Sea is less documented. Possession Sound receives discharge from the Snohomish River and has human activity along the shoreline. In this study, the average change of pH in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean was measured and compared to the average change of pH in Possession Sound since 2016. I analyzed data collected from ARGOS Floats located in the central North Pacific Ocean. For Possession Sound, I used data collected from a  YSI EXO Sonde in partnership with the Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA). I collected data on 12 research cruises in 2024. I expect to find a slightly greater decrease in pH within Possession Sound than the North Pacific Basin due to the additional anthropogenic factors present in the Sound. Preliminary analysis shows a slight seasonal change in pH in Possession Sound, but little to no change yearly. I expect the data to show a steady decrease in pH for Possession Sound and the North Pacific Ocean basin every year since 2016. Calculating acidification rates and learning how they differ in various geographical locations, with separate factors, will increase understanding of the impacts of ocean acidification, which may be used in conservation efforts. 

The introduction of harmful strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the marine environment negatively impacts ecosystem health. When unnatural strains of E. coli are introduced through pollution events, spikes in animal sickness and death occur, and harm to human health is more likely. Understanding relationships among parameters known for contributing harmful strains of E.coli and parameters more likely to contribute non-harmful strains is important to identify the most impactful parameters leading to harmful E. coli events. Possession Sound, WA is an ideal study site for monitoring multiple parameters associated with the introduction of E. coli to a saltwater environment. The study site includes the second largest freshwater input in Puget Sound, the Snohomish River, which passes many farms on its way to the Sound. The study site is also surrounded by a heavily industrialized port, and a large-density population center. I collected water samples at various depths and recorded animal presence from 2023-2025 at ten separate sites. Using a sterile procedure, I plated water samples onto bacterial plates using Easygel® agar. Overflow and river discharge data were provided by the city of Everett and USGS respectively. Historical data were collected following similar protocols by the Ocean Research College Academy. I hypothesized that increased presence of E. coli would strongly correlate with high river discharge events and combined sewer overflow events more than other inputs, but early analysis does not support this correlation. Further research must consider parameters such as residence time of E. coli, lag time after discharge events, and water chemistry characteristics. 

Gray whales in the North Pacific annually migrate north to the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea, and their migration route bypasses the Salish Sea. Roughly a dozen of these whales, commonly called “the Sounders,” have detoured their migration into North Puget Sound since the 1990s. These whales have been observed feeding on ghost shrimp in the intertidal area of sediment beaches in North Puget Sound, using a high risk strategy of feeding on shrimp at high tides. This feeding strategy leaves large indents, or “feeding pits”, in the sediment that are revealed at low tide and can provide insight into the Sounders’ feeding habits and contribute to a deeper understanding of the North Pacific gray whale population. My research focused on locational trends of gray whale feeding pits on Jetty Island West beach, and I observed longitudinal locations of specific pits in the intertidal zone to investigate feeding patterns. I observed feeding pits with drone imagery collected at low tide and compiled into aerial maps, or “orthomosaics,” and I compared feeding pits in different longitudes to observe where on the beach whales are feeding. Two seasons of feeding pit imagery were collected from late winter and spring of 2024 and 2025, and I have analyzed the imagery using ArcGIS pro. Survey site area ranged from approximately 0.09km² to 0.4 km² for different maps. The non-invasive nature of drone photogrammetry has recently increased its use in marine and biological research, and this method of data collection is ideal for surveying gray whale pits on Jetty Island. Because of the increased risk of feeding in higher tidal zones, I expect to find higher concentrations of feeding pits at lower tidal zones.

Eelgrass meadows (Zostera spp.) and Kelp forests (Nereocystis spp.) are both essential habitats in Possession Sound, a saltwater estuary formed where the Snohomish River meets the Salish Sea. Home to many marine species, the Possession Sound has unique salinity levels that provide a rich environment to support marine life. These ecosystems provide vital services such as helping clean the water, sheltering fish, absorbing or filtering carbon, producing oxygen, and protecting coastlines. Given the rich marine habitat that develops in eelgrass meadows and kelp forests, conducting a study of the organisms that reside in the habitat would be beneficial to learn about their condition and influence on life within Possession Sound. To conduct the study, I used eDNA sampling for data collection. eDNA sampling analyzes genetic material from organisms and identifies what species are present in a given environment. I collected samples from two ecosystems at the stations closest to each habitat. MBT (eelgrass) and Kelp Sanctuary (kelp forest). The data I collected from the two sites were sent to the molecular genetics laboratory at WDFW for metabarcoding analysis to identify species using a passive filtration protocol. The data were then combined with historic data to determine the species present in both habitats, specifically focusing on fish and crustacean species. Preliminary analysis suggests that these habitats have similar organisms that frequent each habitat. I expect to see this trend reflected in additional eDNA data, meaning the eelgrass meadows and kelp forests will have similar representative species.

Seabirds are considered a strong indicator species for ecosystem health due to their visibility, lack of behavioral and phenotypic plasticity, and high trophic level.  Current declines in seabird populations are often attributed to bottom-up ecosystem control regulating upper trophic level populations. These bottom-up effects might be caused by reductions in marine productivity due to climate change. I performed statistical and graphical analyses on the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count data from Puget Sound and water chemistry data from the Ocean Research College Academy’s moored and deployable sensors. This allowed me to identify possible relationships between bird populations and water chemistry from 2009 to 2024 in the Possession Sound estuary. My initial analyses demonstrated the expected decline in collective seabirds counted, however certain pelagic species experienced unexpected increases. Further investigation is required to determine whether the increase was caused by ecosystem dynamics or improved count methods. My initial analyses did not indicate any relationship between water chemistry and bird populations. The lack of apparent relationship may be due to the water chemistry changes having impacts on primary productivity and indirect bottom-up trophic cascades, which could have a significant lag time in effects on bird populations. My analysis also does not account for environmental factors in disparate migration sites or breeding colonies that might affect bird populations. 

Sewage system design and heavy seasonal rainfall throughout Washington State pose risks to many marine ecosystems, as stormwater overflow can flush untreated waste into local bodies of water. The estuarine system and status of the Snohomish River as the second-largest freshwater input into Puget Sound make this area especially interesting and relevant to a larger environment. While sewer overflow events pose risks, the extent of their impact on our local water chemistry remains fairly unexplored. Studies conducted across the US suggest that this mix of human waste, debris, and potentially harmful microorganisms and chemicals in hundreds of thousands of gallons at a time can cause significant negative effects on many aspects of marine life, notably dissolved oxygen (DO), to the point of hypoxia. This study seeks to quantify the impact of combined sewage overflows (CSOs) in the Snohomish River and Possession Sound by analyzing trends seen between DO and chlorophyll levels at the mouth of the Snohomish River during low tides occurring before and after major CSO events. CSO outflow data were provided by the City of Everett’s Utilities department and DO and chlorophyll data were collected by a long-term deployed EXO 2 in the Everett marina. I hypothesized that there would be a significant negative correlation between CSO volume and DO levels and a positive correlation between CSO volume and chlorophyll. This research will help assess the risk of hypoxia, an important measurement as many marine species cannot survive in low oxygen conditions, and it will add to an important discussion about how our human systems impact marine life.

Noise pollution from 10 Hz to 200 kHz disrupts marine life and importantly damages cetaceans’ ability to navigate surroundings, communicate, and hunt. Possession Sound supports gray, humpback, and orca whales who all pass through its congested waterways and underwater soundscape. During 2023-2024 a voluntary slow down of commercial vessels occurred in Puget Sound. The results from Quiet Sound showed that 71% of 795 commercial vessels slowed down through the marked zones. There was a 50% 3 dB decrease in sound created and resulted in 72 additional minutes when underwater noise did not reach over 110 dB. One location where noise pollution is prominent is between the city of Mukilteo and the town of Clinton on Whidbey Island. The Mukilteo-Clinton ferries run 21 and a half hours a day, leading them to be a regular contributor to the underwater soundscape and an important factor to assess our environment's health. This study was conducted using data from a SoundTrap 400 hydrophone mounted .4 miles from the Mukilteo ferry terminal. 168 hours of constant data have been gathered between 2021 and 2024. From 1:30 am to 4:40 am, ferries don't run. Noise levels when the ferries don't run were compared to when they do run, which proved to show a significant reduction in overall RMS amplitude. Graphs plotting constant 24-hour RMS amplitude show spikes every half hour, which lines up with the Washington State Ferries (WSF) departure schedule. Future research must identify specific sound frequency signatures for the ferries and compare those frequencies and amplitudes to known values that may harm cetaceans and other marine life.

Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are one of the most prevalent marine mammals along the West Coast of the United States. In the Salish Sea, harbor seal populations have increased significantly since the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and the population is now considered to be at carrying capacity. These seals prey on many species of fish and invertebrates and are themselves a major component of the diet of local transient killer whales. Harbor seals can frequently be seen resting in groups on land at places called haul-out sites. They are known for their high site fidelity, meaning that the same seals consistently return to the same sites. These haul-out sites are frequently dominated by a specific sex or age range. This study investigated whether specific seals are more likely to be re-sighted in smaller groups or with other specific individuals within the haul-out site. Using SealNet, an AI facial recognition system, I analyzed photographic data from 750 images from the Ocean Research College Academy’s (ORCA’s) long-term data collection that were taken from haul-out sites at the mouth of the Snohomish River. SealNet identifies individual seals by analyzing facial features and comparing them across photos, assigning a similarity score for each photo and ranking them in descending order. The results of this research are aimed at determining if harbor seals exhibit more complex social structures within haul-out sites. Understanding the social structure of harbor seals can help provide insight into their cooperation, competition, and overall population dynamics. This study focuses on haul-out sites while the majority of interactions occur in the water, so further study is needed to better understand the dynamics of this population.

The pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba) is an under-researched member of the Alcidae family found in the northern Pacific Ocean. While there have been significant findings on the individualization of terrestrial birds and predominantly endangered alcids, there is a severe lack of call documentation and analysis for pigeon guillemots. This creates a large gap in the avian communities’ awareness of these birds’ communications on their own and in groups, as well as for the species as a whole. The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of pigeon guillemot vocalizations within the Possession Sound, and to answer the question of how pigeon guillemot vocalizations vary between groups and individuals. Recordings of vocalizations were taken with a handheld microphone aboard Ocean Research College Academy’s research vessel in the Possession Sound within the last year. Some recordings sourced from Xeno Canto outside of the Possession Sound were utilized, but a large portion have been taken via boat and from land by hand. Analysis of calls was conducted in RavenPro, Excel, and Rstudio to compare components of calls such as frequency, duration, and variation. Through this preliminary research, there is a noticeably wide range of variety in the frequency and duration of calls within groups. Call patterns are highly varied during recording events in which multiple pigeon guillemots are present, with recognizable patterns of call formations. Out of my 20 recordings, with 10 being shore-based and 10 being boat-based, 4 distinct call types have been identified, and further research is needed.

Everett’s Naval base, train tracks running parallel to the shore, and robust recreational/commercial boat traffic add to the increasingly loud acoustic environment of Possession Sound. Several studies have linked elevated sound pressure levels to reducing the acoustic communication space and disrupting critical behaviors such as feeding, breeding, and communication in marine fish and invertebrates. Ongoing research within the Salish Sea has highlighted some habitats like seagrass meadows (Zostera marina) and kelp forests (Nereocystis spp.) that can aid in mitigating the effects of noise pollution on underwater communities on top of being a foraging habitat, shelter, and critical nurseries for various species. Although the Salish Sea as a whole has seen dwindling kelp forests and eelgrass meadows in recent years, Possession Sound nonetheless contains both habitats. For my study, both Z. marina and N. ssp. were present around the perimeter of Hat Island, 5 nautical miles from the Port of Everett. I collected 8 seven minute recordings using a deployable hydrophone (SoundTrap 300). Preliminary analysis has revealed distinct biological sounds, primarily within the 0-5 kHz range, and are denoted as a part of the biophony of the soundscape. I analyzed the soundscapes using ‘Root Mean Square’ (RMS) amplitude formatting, because it indicates the equivalent steady state energy value of oscillating sound waves. I utilized RMS amplitude measurements for comparison inside the habitats to the appropriate counterpart outside the habitats (exclusion zone is a minimum distance of 100 meters from the previous recording). Future analysis will expand with continued gathering of ambient soundscape data into early spring to ensure the utilized dataset can represent multiple seasons and atmospheric conditions as well.