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.