National Status and Trends: Bioeffects Program - Kachemak Bay Database

This study was based on the sediment quality triad (SQT) approach. A stratified probabilistic sampling design was utilized
to characterize the Kachemak Bay system in terms of chemical contamination, sediment toxicity and benthic
infaunal community structure. The purpose was to define the extent and magnitude of toxicity and other biological effects associated
with contaminants in the Kachemak Bay system. Five strata (Homer harbor, Western intertidal, Western
subtidal, Eastern intertidal, and Eastern subtidal) were established in the shallow (less than 10 fathoms) northern area of the bay.
Sediment samples were collected at multiple stations in each strata. A broad suite of sediment contaminants
were analyzed at each station, including polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated pesticides including DDT and its metabolites,
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), trace elements, and butyl-tins Other parameters included
grain size analysis, total organic/inorganic carbon (TOC/TIC), and percent solids. Characterization of infaunal assemblages and the abundance
of organisms present in sediments provide additional information to help determine areas of
degraded sediments. Whole sediment toxicity bioassays with two species of amphipod were conducted to test for overt contaminant toxicity.
This project provides invaluable baseline data on sediment infauna species richness, chemical
contamination and toxicity that is georeferenced and posted on the internet through the NOAA's National Status and Trends data portal. These datasets were archived as part of the North Pacific Research Board legacy project recovery effort undertaken by Axiom Data Science and NPRB in 2025. The goal of the recovery effort was to assess the NPRB-funded data projects from 2002 to 2014 and archive final data packages that were ready for publication to increase long-term accessibility and discoverability. Data packages were archived as is given limited funding and resources.