Proceedings - Teaching and Learning Centre - Simon Fraser ...
Proceedings - Teaching and Learning Centre - Simon Fraser ...
Proceedings - Teaching and Learning Centre - Simon Fraser ...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<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 />
Page 316