This dataset contains Puget Sound benthic biomass data by major taxonomic group. Before accessing data please download the README file.

King County monitors the community of animals that live in and on the sediments at the bottom of Puget Sound. These animals, called benthos, are crucial to the health of Puget Sound. We collect sediment samples to help us understand what the sediments are like physically and chemically and how they support different species.

Benthic samples have been collected since 2015 from 14 sites. Every 2 years we sample eight sites in Elliott Bay and every 5 years we collect samples from three deep sites in the mainstem of the Central Basin and three smaller embayments. We also collect benthic samples near treatment plant outfalls as well as cleanup sites.

Benthic samples are typically collected in replicates (3-5 samples per location and period of time). These replicates help us understand the variability of the benthic community at that location and are distinguished by the fields "Sample Rep ID" and "Field Replicate".

For corresponding benthos identification and abundance data see: Marine Benthic Abundance Data.

For questions about the data, please contact MarineWQ@kingcounty.gov.