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Proceedings - Teaching and Learning Centre - Simon Fraser ...

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<strong>Fraser</strong> River Action Plan 3rd Research Workshop<br />

MacDonald: First, Ken Hall’s point on water hydrology is very important. The public must be aware that<br />

we’re losing our river. This had to do with channeling rivers, changing permeability, diverting flow through<br />

galvanized pipes (Zn source). There is a natural hydrology <strong>and</strong> these activities are changing/detracting from<br />

it. We have to take steps to protect stream systems. Second, there seems to be lots of PAH measurements<br />

being made. I think we need complete suite of PAH measurements, including the parent PAHs (which are<br />

usually otherwise put together & added up by EPA toxicity approach). This kind of information is crucial to<br />

underst<strong>and</strong> sources <strong>and</strong> fate of PAHs. Third, what about silver? It is an excellent tracer for sewage.<br />

Bendell-Young: From Farrell’s study, we know anti-sapstain toxicity to sturgeon is in the parts per billion<br />

range. Can we regulate at these low levels; <strong>and</strong> if not, is industry going to start generating other antisapstains<br />

to replace what’s taken off the market? If this happens, we’ll just be doing endless toxicity studies<br />

rather than pushing towards drying wood by kiln? Is this a realistic direction we’re heading in?<br />

Mah: In the case of pentachlorophenol, it took 9 years to take it off the market.<br />

Farrell: TCMTB was taken off in a shorter time....<br />

Mah: ...because of health reasons, not environmental effects...<br />

Farrell: I disagree, there was a definite undercurrent of environmental effects. Besides, regardless of species,<br />

there is a common mechanism of action on respiratory membranes. In response to Leah (Bendell-Young),<br />

let’s get off the treadmill by moving away from BAT — it’s not the answer. We need to question what we want,<br />

what is acceptable for new technology in the long term.<br />

Data Gaps/Recommendations<br />

• A number of urban runoff projects lack local loading data <strong>and</strong> how water quality conditions change over<br />

storm events.<br />

• No data for biologically active P (SRP) for point sources.<br />

• Nutrient data for tributaries limited to infrequent TP samples (with exception of Nechako <strong>and</strong> Thompson<br />

R.).<br />

• M<strong>and</strong>ate P/N monitoring as requisite in license issue/renewal for point sources (mills <strong>and</strong> STPs).<br />

• Possible role of sediments in modulating toxicity of anti-sapstain chemicals.<br />

• Need to establish relevance of testing sturgeon larvae versus other species, i.e., are sturgeon larvae even<br />

exposed to the chemicals?<br />

• Stream benthos ordination <strong>and</strong> cluster analyses data gaps.<br />

• Fish, benthos <strong>and</strong> mesocosm experimental data consolidated for a publication.<br />

• In order for stream ecosystems data to be useful as baseline reference, need further studies estimating the<br />

degree of variation attributable to several different contaminant sources.<br />

• Compare experimental data with field community structure of lower <strong>Fraser</strong> streams to test predictions<br />

that biological patterns may be based on type of environmental perturbation, or channel/catchment<br />

characteristics.<br />

• Water quality data needs to be interpreted within the context of toxicity to organisms over both shortterm<br />

(brief rainfall) <strong>and</strong> long-term (flushing out of watersheds) weather events.<br />

• An integrated summary report (air, biota, <strong>and</strong> urban runoff) is recommended for management decisions.<br />

• Successful runoff management requires strong working partnerships between different levels of<br />

government.<br />

• Management strategies to remove suspended solids in stormwater will help to control contaminants in<br />

urban streams.<br />

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