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  1. Research
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  3. Earth & Coastal Sciences
  4. Coastal Science

Coastal Science

PNNL researchers focus on ways to detect and prevent threats that could affect infrastructure along coastlines due to flooding, storm surge, and tsunamis.

Andrea Starr | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

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Although coastal zones compose only 17 percent of U.S. land area, they house more than half the country’s population and a wealth of natural and economic resources. Coastal zones—and their infrastructure, harbors, and ecosystems—regularly experience a myriad of disturbances, including flooding, storm surge, and tsunamis. As coastal populations and the energy infrastructure needed to support them continue growing, so does the need for assessing the effects of storms and other disturbances.   

With many of its programs focused on the links between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) delivers integrative science, modeling, analytical tools, and expertise to prevent and reverse ecosystem declines. Researchers focus on ways to detect and mitigate impacts to coastlines, in part by turning environmental data into actionable intelligence. 

Supporting this work are PNNL’s capabilities in Earth system science and modeling, hydrology, biogeochemistry, physics, and biotechnology. 

PNNL researchers also develop tools and make discoveries for harnessing the abundant energy present in coastal environments. From the renewable power in waves, tides, and currents to biofuel feedstocks from algae, this research supports increased energy resilience for all Americans.  

A key component of PNNL’s coastal science research is PNNL-Sequim, located at the mouth of Sequim Bay in Washington State. PNNL-Sequim is the Department of Energy’s only marine research and development facility. Work done at PNNL-Sequim provides valuable advances in marine science across energy, environment, and national security areas. 

Top Stories

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
News Release

Research Vessel Resilience Charts Course to the Future of Marine Research

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The RV Resilience vessel drives by PNNL Sequim campus.
JUNE 12, 2024
Feature

Researchers Harvest Acid From Seawater to Feed Beneficial Algae

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Illustration showing marine carbon dioxide removal. Seawater on the left containing H2O and sea salt molecules enter an electrochemical device in the middle. De-acidified seawater leaves the device and goes back into the ocean. Acid containing HCl leaves the device and goes into a beaker on the right that contains seawater and microalgae. CO2 molecules form in the beaker. The microalgae eat the CO2 molecules and grow quickly.
MAY 6, 2024
Staff Accomplishment

Five PNNL Earth Scientists Participated in a Department of Energy Workshop on Coastal Systems

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View of ocean along Clearwater Beach with hotels and buildings along the shoreline
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Featured Research

OCTOBER 29, 2024
Research Highlight

Unraveling the Soil and Stratigraphic Heterogeneities across Land–Lake Interfaces

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a creek with reddish water and a lot of plant debris
OCTOBER 23, 2024
Research Highlight

Understanding Drivers of Oxygen Consumption in Flooded Coastal Soils

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schematic of coastal wetland
OCTOBER 22, 2024
Research Highlight

Groundwater Redox Dynamics in Freshwater Terrestrial–Aquatic Interfaces

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a creek with significant amounts of algae
SEE MORE RELATED HIGHLIGHTS

Facilities

Aquatics Research Laboratories at PNNL-Sequim Marine Test Sites Scientific Diving at PNNL-Sequim Microalgal Research at PNNL-Sequim In-water Testing Capabilities at PNNL-Sequim Outdoor Experimental Tanks at PNNL-Sequim

Research Topics

Marine Energy Environmental Monitoring for Marine Energy Marine Biofouling and Corrosion Marine Energy Resource Characterization Testing for Marine Energy The Blue Economy Ecosystem Science

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