The 12th Annual WSU Jefferson County Watershed Day on October 9 was a success! Keynote speaker, Dr. John Incardona of NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, presented current research linking pollutants in stormwater to deformities found in fish. We were amazed and dazzled as we watched video of a beating fish heart exposed to common chemicals in our environment. We learned that the chemicals in car exhaust are causing heart disease in young fish – causing the heart to beat at half the speed of normal. That means trouble for the fish – if it lives. The above picture shows a zebra fish that is developing normally - then photos of fish the same age exposed to very low concentrations of various pollutants found in our stormwater. Notice the curly tails and the bulging hearts.
Dr. Incardona and his colleagues have learned that heart function is disrupted by exposure to chemicals found in our stormwater. These chemicals – 3-ringed PAH’s come from the burning of fossil fuels. In other words, PAH’s come from car exhaust.
After his keynote, Dr. Incardona was joined by local experts Terry Khile, Environmental Compliance Officer for the Port of Port Townsend; Dan Hatcher, Environmental Protection Specialist of Naval Magazine Indian Island; and Pat Pearson, Water Quality faculty at WSU Jefferson County Extension. Together the group took questions and talked about stormwater issues facing our County. They posed for a group photo around a stormdrain in the pouring rain, pointing out the oil slick heading down the drain.
Comments from the audience:
“I come to Watershed day every year that I can, and I have absolutely always been inspired. So keep up the good work.”
“Extremely interesting science. I'm glad my government conducts such research. Good use of resources (tax revenue).”
[I learned] “more than I expected about the toxic effects of stormwater and PAHs on young fish. Excellent presentation. I also thought the panel at the end was vital (meaning lively and useful).”
Learn more about John Incardona and see the fish heart for yourself – click here.
Listen to a short interview with Dr. Incardona - click here
Learn more about the science and view pictures and movies - click here
Note the WSU logo in this slide. Dr. Incardona works closely with WSU's own Dr. John Stark - the keynote speaker at last year's Watershed Day!