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A Pollution and Biological Effects Assessment of
Kachemak Bay, Alaska
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DAILY CRUISE LOG

August 13, 2007

Today we were assisted by Glenn Seaman, NCCOS, and Tim Robertson, of Nuka Research, who is working with the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council. We steamed 2.5 hours from Homer to the Alaska Native village of Port Graham. The Village Chief, Pat Norman, arranged for Herman Moonin, a Port Graham resident and holder of traditional knowledge, to assist us in locating sampling sites in the water around Port Graham. Sampling site selection was conducted based on existing information and local expert knowledge of habitat conditions. Sample sites were selected after initial trials to contrast potentially impacted sites and representative background habitats.

The team poses for a photo in Port Graham from left, Tim Roberston, Kimani Kimbrough, Ian Hartwell, Herman Moonin, John Crosbie, Everett Anderson and Glenn Seaman (kneeling in front).
The team poses for a photo in Port Graham (from left: Tim Roberston, Kimani Kimbrough, Ian Hartwell, Herman Moonin, John Crosbie, Everett Anderson, and Glenn Seaman, kneeling in front)

Port Graham is fed by freshwater streams and the data collected here will provide a unique comparison with sites in Kachemak Bay, which receives largely glacial runoff. More importantly, however, is an initial assessment of the status of contamination (if any) in the Port Graham area and the knowledge that this will provide the local community in managing this critical resource.

Herman Moonin of Port Graham shares his local knowledge with PI Ian Hartwell.

Herman Moonin of Port Graham shares his traditional knowledge with PI Ian Hartwell

Following the Port Graham sampling effort, sampling was conducted at the most challenging sites in the intertidal area near Homer. It was essential to sample the remaining sites at precise times to match tidal conditions to avoid rock outcrops. These three stations were successfully sampled to include both strata in the shadow of Homer Spit.

Port Graham villager and holder of local knowledge looks at a benthic sample as scientist Kimani Kimbrough and Glenn Seaman look on.
Port Graham Tribal member and holder of traditional knowledge, Herman Moonin looks at a benthic sample as scientists Kimani Kimbrough and Glenn Seaman look on


Fog blows over Point Pogibshi southwest of Seldovia, AK
Fog blows over Point Pogibshi southwest of Seldovia, AK


Benthic sample from Port Graham – polychaete and flat worms, starfish.
Benthic sample from Port Graham - polychaete and flat worms, brittle star


The village of Port Graham.
The village of Port Graham

Gunnar and Kris Holderied, director of NOAA’s Kasitsna Laboratory, provided information on Alaskan and national coastal science issues to a lifelong education group at the Kasitsna Bay Laboratory. The not-for-profit Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies (CACS) in Homer is conducting a four day educational program at the laboratory with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Participants had the opportunity to tour the laboratory and discuss research and educational activities in Kachemak Bay, including the sediment sampling field work taking place this week.

Gunnar chats with locals about contaminant studies in Kachemak Bay
Gunnar chats with locals about contaminant studies in Kachemak Bay

Gunnar also led a discussion of estuarine and coastal contaminants in Alaska and the U.S., including NOAA’s Mussel Watch Project and National Status and Trends Program. Contaminants are characterized in mussels and oysters from around the US and at five long-term monitoring sites in Alaska. Current efforts in Alaskan coastal waters by the Mussel Watch Project are to expand the baseline contaminant data in Kachemak Bay, Bristol Bay, Resurrection Bay, and the western Aleutian Islands. The expansion of the monitoring is possible because the collaboration of numerous groups such as the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Bristol Bay Native Association, and the Chugach Regional Resources Commission.