scholarly journals Distribution, Drivers, and Threats of Aluminum in Groundwater in Nova Scotia, Canada

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1578
Author(s):  
Kristin A. Hart ◽  
Gavin W. Kennedy ◽  
Shannon M. Sterling
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Salmon River ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Health Canada ◽  
Al Treatment ◽  
Carbon Concentrations

Increased rates of acid deposition derived from the burning of fossil fuels over the last century have resulted in the acidification and increase in aluminum (Al) levels in freshwaters and soils in sensitive areas. While the acidification of surface waters such as lakes and rivers has been extensively studied, the acidification status and resulting Al concentrations in groundwater are poorly understood. Here we aim to describe the distribution of Al in groundwater across the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. We investigate the hydrogeological conditions that influence Al concentrations in groundwater and compare Al concentrations to legislated threshold levels for human and aquatic health. We found groundwater Al concentrations to be highest in areas underlain by plutonic and metamorphic bedrock types as well as surficial aquifers, with pH and organic carbon concentrations having the strongest correlation with groundwater Al concentrations. Few samples exceed the maximum acceptable concentration of 2900 µg/L released by Health Canada (2021), but these exceedances are important to highlight given the challenges with respect to Al treatment in private domestic wells and our evolving understanding of Al impacts to human health. High concentrations of Al in groundwater may also be exported to surface waters such as rivers and lakes, where they can be harmful to aquatic populations such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). We recommend that private well owners test their water supplies for Al, and that further studies on Al export from groundwater to surface water be carried out in the most high-risk areas coincident with important Atlantic salmon river watersheds.

scholarly journals Impact of historical gold mining activities on marine sediments in Wine Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan E Little ◽  
Michael B Parsons ◽  
Brent A Law ◽  
Timothy G. Milligan ◽  
John N Smith
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Marine Sediments ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Crushed Rock ◽  
Mine Wastes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Early Operations ◽  
Harbour Area

Past investigations at historical gold (Au) districts in Nova Scotia, Canada have identified elevated concentrations of arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in nearby sediments and waters. These metal(loid)s are derived from erosion of mineralized bedrock, and the disposal of mine tailings into the environment during early operations. The Wine Harbour gold district is located along the eastern shore of Nova Scotia, and produced 1329 kg of Au from 75 581 tonnes of crushed rock from 1862 to 1939.The gold occurs in arsenopyrite-bearing quartz-carbonate veins and was extracted using stamp milling and Hg amalgamation. Historical maps document tailings deposits near former stamp mill sites; however, the extent to which these mine wastes influence environmental quality in the adjacent marine environment is uncertain. In this study, we measured metal(loid) concentrations in tailings, marine sediments, and surface waters to assess the lateral and vertical extent of mining-related impacts on Wine Harbour. Chemical analyses of terrestrial and intertidal tailings reveal high concentrations of both As (86–196 000 mg/kg) and Hg (444–320 000 µg/kg). Analyses of marine sediments show a wide range in both As (4–568 mg/kg) and Hg (<5–7430 µg/kg) concentrations. In general, the highest metal(loid) concentrations in sediments were recorded down-gradient of stamp mill sites. Elevated concentrations were also detected in sediments underlying an active mussel aquaculture operation at the western end of the harbour. Results from this study have been used to help assess potential ecosystem and human health risks associated with historical gold mine wastes in the Wine Harbour area.

Drought-induced metal release from a wetland at Plastic Lake, central Ontario

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 834-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Adkinson ◽  
Shaun A Watmough ◽  
Peter J Dillon
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Delayed Recovery ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Carbon Concentrations ◽  
S Deposition ◽  
Very High ◽  
Plastic Lake

With climate change, droughts may become more frequent in southern Ontario, which could release metals from peat and degrade downstream water quality. Monthly volume-weighted metal (Al, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn) concentrations and fluxes in streams and bulk deposition at Plastic Lake were monitored over 20 months in 2002–2003, during which there was a summer drought. Monthly concentrations in the outflow from the wetland (PC1) were variable, with very high concentrations following the drought. With the exception of Pb, statistically significant models of metal concentrations with SO42– and dissolved organic carbon concentrations were developed, and these relationships were used to estimate monthly metal exports between 1980 and 2000. Model predictions for Cd and Zn in PC1 agreed well (p < 0.001) with concentrations measured between 1989 and 1991. Model predictions suggesting peaks in metal concentrations are common in years with pronounced summer droughts. In contrast to ombrotrophic bogs, the PC1 wetland receives the majority of its metal input from the terrestrial catchment, and mass balance approximations indicate no substantial depletion of metal reserves in peat. Drought-induced metal peaks may persist for many decades, potentially contributing to the delayed recovery of surface waters at Plastic Lake, despite declining S deposition.

Chemical recovery and browning of Nova Scotia surface waters in response to declining acid deposition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Redden ◽  
B. F. Trueman ◽  
D. W. Dunnington ◽  
L. E. Anderson ◽  
G. A. Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Acid Deposition ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Chemical Recovery ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Iron Aluminum

Colour, pH, iron, and aluminum are increasing in NS surface waters; iron/aluminum size distributions include at least two colloidal fractions.

Bank filtration: a suitable process for the removal of iodinated X-ray contrast media?

2004 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 261-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Schittko ◽  
A. Putschew ◽  
M. Jekel
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Contrast Media ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Transformation Products ◽  
Bank Filtration ◽  
Anoxic Conditions ◽  
X Ray ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Media Concentration

After bank filtration, effluent influenced surface waters are often used as raw drinking water. It is known that high concentrations of iodinated X-ray contrast media are detectable in such surface waters and thus, more knowledge about the behaviour of the contrast media during bank filtration is necessary and the subject of investigations in this study. The adsorbable organic iodine (AOI), four widely used iodinated X-ray contrast media and four possible transformation products were quantified in an influenced lake, five groundwater wells and a drinking water well. Under anoxic conditions the AOI as well as the concentration of the contrast media are decreased by bank filtration, whereby the AOI is decreased by 64% and the contrast media concentration can be reduced up to 95%, depending on the compound. In the raw drinking water the following average concentrations were determined: Iopromid &lt;20 ng/L, Diatrizote 166 ng/L, Iopamidol 166 ng/L and Iohexol 34 ng/L. Instationary conditions during the sampling period indicate that, at least under anoxic conditions, a large part of the contrast media and transformation products, which are still iodinated, may be associated to colloids and/or humic material.

Atlantic Salmon in Lake Jesse, Nova Scotia

Copeia ◽  
1943 ◽  
Vol 1943 (4) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
M. W. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Atlantic Salmon

Genetic, Environmental, and Maturational Effects on Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Survival in Acute Low pH Trials

1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 1547-1555 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. B. Schom
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Survival Time ◽  
Salmo Salar ◽  
Dominant Gene ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
First Year ◽  
Significant Component ◽  
Salmon River ◽  
Mature Parr

Wild sea-run anadromous salmon (Salmo salar) were captured in Big Salmon River in New Brunswick and transported to the Atlantic Salmon Federation's research centre for spawning. Four year-classes were established, one each in 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983, using a nested design, i.e. one female with one anadromous male and one or two mature parr. The mature parr, in all but the first year, were from families identified as to survival time in acute low pH trials. Resistance to low pH, i.e. survival time, was family specific and independent of the trial conditions. The heritabilities had dominant and additive components with, however, the apparent larger dam than sire effect an artifact of the experimental design. The most significant component appeared to be the dominant gene component. The mature parr were more resistant than the nonmature parr. Finally, genetic gains from selection were much greater in the down direction than the up direction, and this appeared to be a consequence of negative hatchery selection.

The influence of hydrological pathways on the transport of the herbicide, isoproturon, through an underdrained clay soil

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Heppell ◽  
T. P. Burt ◽  
R. J. Williams ◽  
A. H. Haria
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Hydrological Response ◽  
Macropore Flow ◽  
Ephemeral Stream ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
High Concentrations

This paper reports the findings of a 12 month field monitoring programme at Wytham (Oxfordshire, UK), which examined the leaching of the phenylurea herbicide, isoproturon, from an agricultural clay hillslope to the adjacent ephemeral stream. Isoproturon was shown to reach the drains (at 50 cm depth) through a combination of vertical and lateral macropore flow through wormholes and inter-pedal cracks. Seasonal changes in hydrological response were also observed at the site, with lateral flow through inter-pedal cracks providing an important route by which herbicide was transported during autumn and early spring when the clay soils were wetting up. Concentrations of isoproturon in drainflow frequently exceeded the Environment Agency's (EA) non-statutory Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) of 20 μg/l for isoproturon in surface waters. Even under low intensity rainfall (&lt; 1 mm/hr) the saturated region at the base of the hillslope was shown to conduct macropore flow containing significantly high concentrations of herbicide to the drain. The results of this study suggest that those regions close to surface waters which are areas of converging hydrological flow may be key contributors to the problem of isoproturon contamination of surface waters.

scholarly journals Dissolved iron (II) in the Baltic Sea surface water and implications for cyanobacterial bloom development

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 3803-3850 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Breitbarth ◽  
J. Gelting ◽  
J. Walve ◽  
L. J. Hoffmann ◽  
D. R. Turner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Cyanobacterial Bloom ◽  
Euphotic Zone ◽  
Strong Wind ◽  
Ferrous Ions ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Wind Events ◽  
The Baltic

Abstract. Iron chemistry measurements were conducted during summer 2007 at two distinct locations in the Baltic Sea (Gotland Deep and Landsort Deep) to evaluate the role of iron for cyanobacterial bloom development in these estuarine waters. Depth profiles of Fe(II) were measured by chemiluminescent flow injection analysis (CL-FIA) and reveal several origins of Fe(II) to the water column. Photoreduction of Fe(III)-complexes and deposition by rain are main sources of Fe(II) (up to 0.9 nmol L−1) in light penetrated surface waters. Indication for organic Fe(II) complexation resulting in prolonged residence times in oxygenated water was observed. Surface dwelling heterocystous cyanobacteria where mainly responsible for Fe(II) consumption in comparison to other phytoplankton. The significant Fe(II) concentrations in surface waters apparently play a major role in cyanobacterial bloom development in the Baltic Sea and are a major contributor to the Fe requirements of diazotrophs. Second, Fe(II) concentrations up to 1.44 nmol L−1 were observed at water depths below the euphotic zone, but above the oxic anoxic interface. Finally, all Fe(III) is reduced to Fe(II) in anoxic deep water. However, only a fraction thereof is present as ferrous ions (up to 28 nmol L−1) and was detected by the CL-FIA method applied. Despite their high concentrations, it is unlikely that ferrous ions originating from sub-oxic waters could be a temporary source of bioavailable iron to the euphotic zone since mixed layer depths after strong wind events are not deep enough in summer time.

scholarly journals A Mi’kmaw Perspective on Advancing Salmon Governance in Nova Scotia, Canada: Setting the Stage for Collaborative Co-Existence

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley K Denny ◽  
Lucia M Fanning
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Salmo Salar ◽  
Fisheries Governance ◽  
Multiple Realities ◽  
Atlantic Salmon Salmo Salar ◽  
Governance Regime ◽  
Conservation And Management ◽  
Canadian Department

Issues related to fisheries governance are a source of debate and tension between the Indigenous Mi’kmaq people of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in matters concerning Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. Within the context of the existing governance regime, this analysis compares the concept of salmon conservation and management from a Mi’kmaq perspective and proposes a collaborative co-existence approach for effective salmon governance in Nova Scotia. This approach begins by using co-management as a process, Two-Eyed Seeing as the design, and treaties as the model to achieve shared objectives of maintaining and improving abundances of salmon populations, in spite of differing mechanisms for addressing the interwoven complexities of multiple realities, conservation, and cultural identity.

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