USGS

The Alchemists had a great opportunity to meet with Richard Dinicola from the US Geologic Survey and Karen Dinicola from the Washington State Department of Ecology to learn more about the Puget Sound watershed. First they visited the USGS water lab and learned about microplastics, how they are being studied and the affect they have on marine life. They looked at water samples under a microscope and got to see the microplastics.

The Alchemists then heard a presentation about the watershed and the many chemicals and pollutants that go into the storm drains and eventually into the sound. They also heard about ways they can help and innovative ways cities are installing rain gardens. Finally they took a walking tour of downtown Tacoma to see the existing problems and how the city is trying to address them.

EPA Super Fund Site

In their continuing study of Tacoma, the Alchemists went to Point Ruston to learn about the ASARCO plant that was once there and how it became the EPA's first Super Fund site. The plant began in the 1880's smelting ore to make copper but after the refining process the plant created serious arsenic and lead contamination on both the land at Point Ruston but also Puget Sound. The students saw a cool display of the history of the plant, meet with a former employee of the plant who told them the history and got to hear from the Chemical Engineer that is managing the Super Fund for the EPA.

Sunshine!

The temperature reached 70 for the first time since November so the Alchemists felt the need to get out and catch some rays. They did a little community service, filling three trash bags with weeds from around the school. Dirty work but popsicles seemed to be an adequate payment!