The Sanctuary and its partners in this study, are collecting specimens of five common intertidal organisms and algae. Algae were selected because, as primary producers, they form the base of the foodchain. Each selected organism also plays a different role in the foodchain. Samples are collected across a known gradient of natural and human-induced stressors. The natural stressor that is being tested is wave action.
Stressors introduced by humans include, heavy metals, petrochemicals, and pesticides.
Sites are being sampled from the outer coast though Puget Sound. The actual molecular series of tests will be conducted in a high-tech laboratory. In addition, laboratory challenge tests will be performed, exposing the intertidal organisms to known concentrations of potential stressors in order to obtain a response or signature of the organisms to various stressors. These results will be compared to those obtained from organisms collected along an expected gradient of stressors in the field. Tissues from the organisms collected in the field will also be analyzed for the potential stressors.