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Impacts of Climate Change on the Coasts of Washington State
Daniel D. Huppert, Amber Moore, Karen Dyson
School of Marine Affairs College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle
Purpose
With 5002.3 km of coastline, Washington will experience many effects from climate change. This paper explores
several of those areas in specific regions.
The coast can be broken into 5 regions, each with their own characteristics and possible problems.
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/japanese-dock-lost-2011-tsunami-removed-washingtons-olympic-coast.html
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FORESEEN PROBLEMS
INUNDATION FLOODING EROSION LANDSLIDES SALTWATER
INTRUSION
INCREASED OCEAN SURFACE TEMP AND ACIDITY
Key Words
Substrate- What is at the bottom
of it-sand or bedrock Slope-
Shallow or steep cliffs Surrounding
conditions HAB-harmful algal
blooms
SLR-sea level rise Sand Spit-where
sediment builds up off the coast
Berms-raised barrier separating 2 areas, sand dune
Fetch-the length a wave has to build
Methods
Selected different locations and impacts for study
Understand the local consequences
See how people can adapt to these changes
NOAA
Research/Areas
1. The nature and process of coastal erosion on beaches and bluffs-Shipman, 2004; Terich, 1987; Komar, 1998
2. Roles of SLR and storm waves in accelerating shoreline erosion-Graham and Diaz, 2001; Allan and Komar, 2006; Mote et al., 2008; Zhang, Douglas, and Leatherman, 2004
3. Aquifers and saltwater intrusion-Walters, 1971; Jones, 1985
4. Increased sea temperature and HAB’s- Moore et al. 2008)
5. Ocean acidification-Doney, 2006; Feely et al., 2008
Western Washington is on edge of Juan de Fuca oceanic plate- gradual rising(2
mm/year) in NW and subsiding in S. Puget Sound(2 mm/year)
There is a wide range because of different projections and not enough research
Beaches
High-energy storms waves cause erosion
Shoreline armoring decreases the amount
of sand to sustain beaches
Cause habitat damage Erosion
Reduced sediment supply
SLR Pacific winter storms
shifting north
Google Maps
Washaway Beach
Located north entrance of Willapa Bay
100+ homes fallen into ocean
$24 mill on highway repairs
Seattle Times
Whidbey Island
Bluff erosion Increased rainfall, bad
drainage Toe erosion
51% of shoreline unstable
Landslides to increase and are 100% predicted $32 million of properties
could be lostWashington Post
San Juan Islands
More stable They are bedrock
coast Only 3% classified as
unstable
Ports and Harbors
SLR will have major impact on them
Changing nature every 40 years will decrease some cause for concern
Seattle industrial area will either be underwater or the will have to raise the land
Tacoma has plan for shifting seas, unless SLR is higher than expected
Aquifers
Most of our water will be fine
The aquifers closest to the coast will have salt water intrusion
For every foot the water table is lowered, underlying seawater rises 40ft
Zone of diffusion/mixing
Potentials- Saltwater intrusion Increased chloride Erosion of pipes
/pumps
Shellfish
WA is largest shellfish growing state
+ Temp= less growth, reproduction, distribution, and health
HAB will become more prevalent
SLR affect habitat
Acidification-less carbonate, lower survival rates
Conclusions
Many adverse effects of climate change will affect the PNW
There are certain things that we can do to prevent them
More research needs to happen