If we have a hydrologist here, esp. one familiar with the PacificNW....

[kristopher]

Could you provide information ruling out Hanford as a potential source of toxins that might be causing this problem?

Extinction of Oregon Starfish Expected Due to Sea Star Wasting Epidemic
Oregon State University | June 5, 2014

Just in the past two weeks, the incidence of sea star wasting syndrome has exploded along the Oregon Coast and created an epidemic of historic magnitude, one that threatens to decimate the entire population of purple ochre sea stars.

Prior to this, Oregon had been the only part of the West Coast that had been largely spared this devastating disease....

http://ecowatch.com/2014/06/05/extinction-starfish-sea-star-wasting-epidemic/

[jollyreaper2112]

1. proof your language

Decimate? Good. That means we'll still keep 90%.

[kristopher]

13. Proof what language?

Are you referring to an issue with a/an?

[jollyreaper2112]

14. Decimate

Means reduce by 10%.

[kristopher]

15. Good to know, but the usage in this context is fine

The out of date usage you've shared is interesting and now that you point it out it's one of those things that sort of jumps out at you.

The modern usage however, is what we all commonly understand and is used correctly by the author of the article.

1.kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage or part of.
"the project would decimate the fragile wetland wilderness"
drastically reduce the strength or effectiveness of (something).
"plant viruses that can decimate yields"

2.historical
kill one in every ten of (a group of soldiers or others) as a punishment for the whole group.

Thanks - I love the insight you've given me.

[Maedhros]

2. I have a background in geochemistry, and not hydrology,

but I would be surprised if Hanford were the cause for sea star wasting syndrome.

The most toxic substance at Hanford would be plutonium residue from nuclear weapons production. The local water table is likely contaminated with nuclear waste chemicals, and some no doubt will have leaked into the Columbia river, but I doubt that enough would make it downstream to the Pacific to be responsible for sea star wasting.

Of more concern would be the numerous paper pulp mills and aluminum processing plants in BC, WA and OR. These facilities dump huge amounts of waste chemicals into the Columbia - far, far in excess of what may have leaked from Hanford. Add to that the pesticides and manure runoff from agricultural activities. All of that, collectively, is more likely to be a factor in sea star wasting than Hanford waste.

[kristopher]

4. Thanks.

As you highlight, the list of potential culprits is pretty extensive. Although we really have little idea of the extent of leakage at Hanford, I wouldn't dispute that site is one of the less likely agents.


I'd still be interested in hearing from a hydrologist familiar with the flows in the region. According to the lit from RiverKeepers (fairly reliable) the among the contaminants in the groundwater threatening the Columbia River are Strontium‐90, Chromium, Tritium, Uranium, Carbon Tetrachloride and Iodine‐129.
http://columbiariverkeeper.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/hanford_and_the_river_final2.pdf

[RobertEarl]

6. Look for rainfall records

Casually, I did note that about a month ago the desert in Oregon got some good rains. The NWS would be one place to look for records.

Rainfall would mean increased runoff. We have a pretty good set of historical records of mercury depositions. And science detailing runoff containing mercury going into lakes and oceans resulted in mercury concentrations in fish.

I wonder what new pollutants could be in the air and dropping to earth with the rain like mercury does?

[Brother Buzz]

3. To Hell with the hydrologists, an oceanographer would tell you the currents along Washington and ...

Oregon move south, and starfish wasting syndrome has been reported way north of Hanford.

[kristopher]

5. Rather odd reasoning...

You seem to mean that because ocean currents move south the flow of water underground in the region couldn't carry the contaminants from Hanford towards the northwest?

Some other time I'd be interesting in hearing exactly how that works, but right now it isn't really part of the picture I'm trying to explore. Thanks though, for your thought.

[Brother Buzz]

7. Hanford groundwater doesn't magically sneak out of the Columbia River Basin

[Maedhros]

8. Groundwater flow from Hanford moves very, very slowly.

Contamination would not have had the time to reach the sea strictly through groundwater diffusion. Also, the Cascade Range would act as barrier.

[RobertEarl]

9. Groundwater flows into the river

It takes time but that is where it heads: to the river.

The real problem would also be in runoff, so what K is looking for is the right course.

There should be some records of flows over all the dams, too. But they may be hiding that data, cause, y'know, national security.

[kristopher]

10. I'm looking for authoritative information.

I've got the basics.

[Maedhros]

11. Maybe these links will help get you started:

http://www.pnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/pnnl-13672rev1.pdf

http://availabletechnologies.pnnl.gov/media/183_612200833341.pdf

http://www.hanfordchallenge.org/cmsAdmin/uploads/Hot_Water.pdf

[kristopher]

12. Aquafers in the PNW

And as far as I know this is dealing only with near surface waters and the flows are complicated to some degree by the volcanic nature of the geology.

[hopemountain]

16. perhaps getting a list

of all of the functioning and non functioning pulp mills and other chemical heavy industry which proliferate the along the banks in the portland area & what chemicals they utilize and store or which have been stored. also, when they were last inspected.