The influence of a salt wedge and tidal flow dynamics on contaminant pathways in the Fraser River Estuary, British Columbia

1990 ◽  
pp. 203-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Carey
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Tidal Flow ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Flow Dynamics ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Salt Wedge

River discharge and tidal controls on salt-wedge position and implications for channel shoaling: Fraser River, British Columbia

1990 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Kostaschuk ◽  
L. A. Atwood
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Main Channel ◽  
Tidal Height ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Salt Wedge ◽  
Multiple Regression Models ◽  
Predictive Relations

Salinity and current surveys in the Main Channel of the Fraser River estuary, British Columbia, show that a well-defined salt-wedge intrusion migrates along the channel. Bivariate statistical analyses reveal that when discharge is nearly constant, the position of the salt-wedge is controlled by tidal height. Multivariate analyses of data with large ranges in discharge and tidal height indicate that intrusion location is a function of both discharge and tides. Multiple regression models provide predictive relations for salt-wedge position. Application of a regression model indicates that channel shoaling at the mouth of the river is related to the low-tide position of the salt-wedge. Key words: Fraser River estuary, salt-wedge position, channel shoaling.

Bedforms, bed material, and bedload transport in a salt-wedge estuary: Fraser River, British Columbia

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1440-1452 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Kostaschuk ◽  
M. A. Church ◽  
J. L. Luternauer
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
Bedload Transport ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Salt Wedge ◽  
Migration Rates ◽  
Material Load ◽  
Bed Material

The lower main channel of the Fraser River, British Columbia, is a sand-bed, salt-wedge estuary in which variations in velocity, discharge, and bedform characteristics are contolled by river discharge and the tides. Bed-material composition remains consistent over the discharge season and in the long term. Changes in bedform height and length follow but lag behind seasonal fluctuations in river discharge. Migration rates of bedforms respond more directly to river discharge and tidal fall than do height and length. Bedform characteristics were utilized to estimate bedload transport in the estuary, and a strong, direct, but very sensitive relationship was found between bed load and river discharge. Annual bedload transport in the estuary is estimated to be of the order of 0.35 Mt in 1986. Bedload transport in the estuary appears to be higher than in reaches upstream, possibly because of an increase in sediment movement along the bed to compensate for a reduction in suspended bed-material load produced by tidal slack water and the salt wedge.

Uptake of Selected Organochlorine Contaminants in Fishes Resident in the Fraser River Estuary, Vancouver, British Columbia

1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 733-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.H. Rogers ◽  
J.S. Macdonald ◽  
M. Sadar
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Food Chain ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Control Fish ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
The North ◽  
Organochlorine Contaminants

Abstract Starry flounders, prickly sculpins and other resident fishes were captured in the Lower Fraser River in the summers of 1987, 1988 and 1989. Control fish were taken from the estuary of the uncontaminated Homathko River on the B.C. coast in 1987 and 1988. The fish were analysed for chlorophenols, chloroguaiacols and PCBs. The residues most commonly detected were PCBs, tetra-and pentachlorophenol. Fish from the Main Arm contained PCBs that resembled Arochlor 1248 whereas those from the North Arm contained PCBs that resembled a mixture of Arochlors 1254 and 1260. Chloroguaiacol uptake was greater in flounders than in other species. Although PCBs appear to have declined markedly in the Lower Fraser from values published in the early 1970s, there is a need to measure the coplanar fraction to understand their toxic significance to the food chain. Tetra- and pentachlorophenol have declined following a change by industry to the use of alternative sapstain prevention treatments.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document