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.

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. 

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.

Bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana), a foundational seaweed in the Salish Sea, is important to native species that rely on it for shelter, food, and protection. Recent studies show that acidweed (Desmarestia ligulata) is outcompeting bull kelp for space. Acidweed also possesses a unique ability to leach sulfuric acid under stressful conditions, which can deter predation. Northern kelp crabs are a major consumer of a variety of kelp species, particularly bull kelp, but have not been observed eating acidweed. To investigate whether kelp crabs graze on acidweed a feeding experiment was conducted. Crabs were offered one of four kelp types – fresh acidweed, stressed acidweed, fresh bull kelp, or stressed bull kelp – and their consumption rates measured for comparison. Crabs consumed less of both acidweed types versus bull kelp. However, stressed acidweed had a higher average consumption rate compared to fresh acidweed. In a follow-up experiment crabs were given bull kelp soaked in either acidweed leachate, sulfuric acid solution, or in fresh seawater. Crabs consumed more leachate-soaked than sulfuric acid-soaked kelp, but fresh bull kelp had the highest rate of consumption overall. Although crabs consumed stressed acidweed when bull kelp was unavailable, their overall feeding rate remained five times lower versus their preferred kelp type. These findings indicate that acidweed’s chemical defenses, combined with the absence of significant predation, may allow it to outcompete bull kelp in the Salish Sea, reducing the abundance and resilience of kelp forests and potentially causing shifts in community structure and biodiversity.

Commercial pet food (CPF) is not what most people think it is. In the U.S. about 90% of pet owners raise their dogs on CPF, claimed to be complete and nutritionally balanced. Major pet food companies make efforts to hide the fact that their products consist of contaminants such as heavy metals, aflatoxins, heterocyclic amines, and acrylamides. As investigated by Dr. Richard Pitcairn, feeding CPF to animals increases chances of developing cancer and other degenerative diseases. Due to toxins combined with insufficient nutrients, CPF is likely a major factor negatively affecting dogs’ physical health, shortening healthspan (period in life considered healthy), and causing premature deaths. Top causes of death in dogs are illnesses in which veterinarians generally prescribe drugs to treat only the symptoms of these common ailments. However, a focused approach to reduce dog’s susceptibility to disease, by eliminating the potential root cause, should be considered instead. This literature review investigates various threats posed by CPF by analyzing its risk factors and their impact on dogs’ healthspan. Returning dogs' natural diet by including living, raw, nutrient dense food may be the answer in improving dogs’ overall health and lengthening healthspan. Eliminating the overly processed, cooked, and toxic feed and transitioning to a diet of raw food as an alternative poses a chance to reduce common indicators of illness, ultimately resulting in fewer stressful vet visits and allowing owners to spend more time with their pets. Identifying the research gap surrounding the ambiguity of the effects of contaminants in CPF on dog health, this analysis helps to urge studies to be conducted on these contaminants to further pave the path towards creating a healthier dog diet; in addition to prompting more unbiased research on what types of diets are most efficient and effective at maximizing dogs’ healthspan.