DESIGNING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAINT JOHN HARBOUR

DESIGNING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAINT JOHN HARBOUR

ALLEN CURRY, HEATHER HUNT, KAREN KIDD, UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK Research conducted 2012-2015, Report released April 2016

WHY DID WE DO THIS RESEARCH? The Saint John Harbour (SJH) is a major marine port with high shipping traffic. It is an urban centre with multiple human activities ranging from dredging to discharging municipal wastewater, and industrial effluents from oil refining, brewing, and pulp and paper production. All of these activities are overlaid on 8m, semi-diurnal tides.

This multi-year project established baseline data that can be used to assess cumulative environmental effects. When completed, a long-term environmental monitoring program of the SJH will provide government regulators and harbour managers, industry, NGOs and residents with a clear set of recommendations to identify areas that are currently experiencing or are likely to experience ecological stress, and to predict potential impacts from new or proposed developments so that negative impacts can be prevented or mitigated.

HOW WAS THE RESEARCH CONDUCTED? Several aspects of the aquatic environment and potential impacts were studied to develop a monitoring framework. The researchers considered: pp Where? (location and number of sites to examine) pp When? (best time of the year for sampling) pp How? (methods and analyses) The project investigated metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments and the abundance and diversity of bottom-dwelling animals. Sand shrimp, caged mussels, and fish including their eggs and larvae were assessed to determine whether these organisms can be used to identify areas that may be experiencing ecological stress.

WHAT WERE THE RESULTS? pp The project identified the optimal times to conduct field sampling. Late spring or early summer are best for sampling fish eggs and larvae, while fall is best for bottom-dwelling animals and sediment sampling. pp A selection of suitable reference sites were identified for future monitoring programs, and baseline data are now available for assessing and understanding future changes in SJH.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR DECISION MAKERS? There is considerable potential for the development of large energy projects in Saint John during the coming decades. The research team is finalizing recommendations to produce a formal, long-term monitoring program to assess the cumulative effects of current or future environmental stressors in the harbour, with clear recommendations about where, when, and how to study the ecological health of the conditions in the harbour. This will provide a common and scientifically rigorous approach to understanding and mitigating environmental impacts, and facilitate decision-making related to new developments around the harbour.

Results and experiences from this project provide valuable information about how to design and implement research to meet the needs of watershed stakeholders, and will advance the community of practice in cumulative effects assessments across Canada.

CANADIAN WATER NETWORK’S Watershed Research Consortium is establishing comprehensive recommendations on how to develop monitoring frameworks in support of cumulative effects assessment in Canadian watersheds.

For more information about this project, contact researchspotlight@cwn-rce.ca or visit the Watersheds page at cwn-rce.ca/initiatives

DESIGNING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAINT JOHN HARBOUR

ALLEN CURRY, HEATHER HUNT, KAREN KIDD, UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK Research conducted 2012-2015

DESIGNING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAINT JOHN HARBOUR

ALLEN CURRY, HEATHER HUNT, KAREN KIDD, UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK Research conducted 2012-2015

WHY DID WE DO THIS RESEARCH? Urban areas are home to a multitude of activities which can have a variety of impacts on the surrounding natural environment. In aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers and coastal areas, industrial operations and human development can discharge pollutants and cause physical disturbances. Historically, most research on the environmental impacts of these types of activities has examined individual factors, such as the toxicity of one pollutant. In recent years, it has been recognized that such environmental stressors have cumulative effects, meaning that individual pollutants or other causes of disturbance interact with one another to have combined impacts on ecosystems.

Saint John, New Brunswick is located at the mouth of the Saint John River in the Bay of Fundy. The city’s natural harbour is one of Canada’s major seaports, and home to significant shipping traffic. A mix of natural, urban and industrial areas surrounds the harbour. As such, it receives discharges of industrial effluents (e.g. from pulp and paper operations, an oil refinery and brewery) and municipal wastewater. Part of the bottom of the harbour is also dredged to maintain an adequate shipping channel, and the dredged material is disposed of at Black Point in the outer part of the harbour.

A group of researchers from the University of New Brunswick, Canadian Rivers Institute, and Huntsman Marine Science Centre, in collaboration with the Saint John Harbour Environmental Monitoring Partnership (which includes government, industry and non-governmental stakeholders) have undertaken a multi-year project to develop a long-term environmental monitoring program in the Saint John Harbour (SJH). This program is studying fish and invertebrates that live in or on the seafloor sediment and sediment contaminants to determine which species may reflect effects of pollution or dredging and which times of the year are best to conduct sampling.

The researchers are using a “baseline condition approach,” where sites around the SJH that are known from previous studies to have minimal pollution or other impacts are being used to establish a range of normal conditions for the fish, invertebrates and sediments being studied. These conditions establish a current baseline at minimally impacted sites in the region, and serve as the focal point for being able to detect regional cumulative effects if they are occurring. The data from these baseline sites can also be compared to conditions at other sites where there may be impacts from pollution or dredging, or at sites where nothing is known about the environmental conditions.

If ongoing monitoring at the baseline sites shows that the conditions are getting worse, then conditions are changing regionally and stakeholders need to take broader actions. Once a long-term monitoring program is established, it will provide decisionmakers with a rigorous way to assess the state of the harbour and a baseline against which to compare the site-specific and regional conditions associated with the potential impacts of future developments.

Canadian Water Network | Report released April 2016

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DESIGNING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAINT JOHN HARBOUR Allen Curry, Heather Hunt, Karen Kidd, University of New Brunswick, Research conducted 2012-2015

HOW WAS THE RESEARCH CONDUCTED? Information from previous research on metals and organic pollutants in sediments in the SJH was used to identify reference sites and potential hotspots of contamination. Two sub-projects were developed: pp Metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments and the abundance and diversity of infaunal invertebrates (organisms that live in sediment on the seafloor) were investigated to understand the baseline conditions at reference sites (3 in inner and 3 in outer harbour) and to compare against the conditions at several potential hotspots to evaluate the sensitivity of the measures. pp Sand shrimp, fish species, caged mussels and ichthyoplankton (the combination of larval or immature fish and fish eggs that live in the water column) were assessed to determine how appropriate each of these groups of organisms is for identifying areas that may be experiencing ecological stress due to environmental disturbance and water pollution.

For each project, the approach was to determine where (which sites and how many?), when (best time(s) of the year) and how (best field sampling and lab analysis methods) to collect samples and conduct site assessments. This will aid in the design of future monitoring activities in the SJH, and provide stakeholders with a set of steps to follow to identify and address the potential cumulative effects of current and future activities, as well as to evaluate the potential site-specific impacts of harbour development.

WHAT WERE THE RESULTS? PROJECT 1: DEVELOPING MONITORING METHODS FOR SEDIMENT POLLUTANTS AND INVERTEBRATES IN THE SJH SEDIMENTS AND INFAUNAL INVERTEBRATES In the field, samples were simultaneously collected over several seasons and years (2011-2014) for contaminant analysis and infaunal invertebrates using a grab sampler, which is deployed on a long cable from a boat and allowed to settle on the seafloor. The sampler closes rapidly and forcefully, picking up sediment samples with relatively little disturbance of the contents. Only the top 5 cm of sediment from one half of the grab was used for contaminant analysis; the other half was used for infaunal invertebrate identification and community analysis. This allowed for a direct comparison of the sediment and invertebrate data.

Some previous monitoring of sediment contaminants in the SJH has been done in the 1980s through 2000s as part of different environmental assessments. Given the historical data available on metals and PAHs around the SJH, as well as the potential of finding these chemicals in association with various human and industrial activities, the project team selected 19 specific metals and 16 specific PAH compounds to target and identified appropriate reference locations. The levels of contaminants measured in sediments from the reference sites were compared to established environmental quality thresholds developed by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). Of all the chemicals measured, only arsenic and nickel exceeded the sediment quality thresholds across reference sites for some samples and dates. However, the levels of these metals did not exceed the higher CCME “probable effects threshold� (the level above which adverse effects are expected to occur frequently). In addition, these results likely reflect the fact that arsenic concentrations are naturally high in some geological formations around Atlantic Canada. Overall, there were minimal differences in the levels of these pollutants over time across reference sites, which supports the use of these sites in future monitoring activities as comparisons to others which have more likely or known impacts.

Total abundance of invertebrates and abundance of individual species were measured, as well as species diversity and the composition of the overall invertebrate community at the reference sites. There were differences between inner and outer harbour sites in the relative make-up of infaunal invertebrate communities, with polychaete worms (annelids) most abundant at all sites, but higher numbers of clams at outer harbour sites. Results for all of the invertebrate measures were variable over time and space in the harbour, which is similar to findings from other estuarine environments. This type of variability may be related to physical or chemical features of the estuary, such as availability of organic matter in sediment as a potential source of food, tidal action, salinity and water depth, as well as competition between species for food and space.

Canadian Water Network | Report released April 2016

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DESIGNING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAINT JOHN HARBOUR Allen Curry, Heather Hunt, Karen Kidd, University of New Brunswick, Research conducted 2012-2015

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Average concentrations of arsenic in sediment across reference sites (Below) Differences in species richness (total number of species) of infaunal invertebrates at reference and potentially impacted sites in the inner and outer Saint John Harbour 40

Two species of infaunal invertebrates – the Atlantic nut clam and catworm – were assessed to understand natural patterns in their growth or reproduction at reference sites and their usefulness for assessing impacted sites. These species were selected because they are abundant in the harbour, have not been well studied in the past, and could potentially serve as sentinel species. Sentinel species can provide useful information about the overall ecological health of an area, as they are relatively sensitive to a variety of disturbances like physical habitat damage and chemical pollution, and indicators of their growth, reproduction or other biological traits can demonstrate whether they (and therefore other species in the ecosystem) are experiencing stress.

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Species Richness

Sixteen potential sites of concern (“hotspots”) were sampled from 2012 to 2014. Infaunal invertebrate communities in the outer harbour near the dredge disposal site had high species richness and were similar to those at outer harbour reference sites. Invertebrate communities at a few inner harbour sites (Courtenay Bay, Bayside) differed from those at reference sites, which may be due to differences in habitat (depth, sediment grain size), organic enrichment (Courtenay Bay) or potentially to increased PAHs or metals.

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Inner harbour reference sites Outer Harbour reference sites Potential Outer Harbour contamination “hotspot” (dredge disposal area) Potential Inner Harbour contamination “hotspot” Courtenay Bay (potential “hotspot” near industrial site) Bayside (potential “hotspot” near industrial site) Canadian Water Network | Report released April 2016

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DESIGNING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAINT JOHN HARBOUR Allen Curry, Heather Hunt, Karen Kidd, University of New Brunswick, Research conducted 2012-2015

In both species, growth and abundance were measured, as well as reproduction using egg counts (catworm only). In general, clams and worms were reproducing and growing similarly (and normally based on information from other areas) across reference sites in the inner or outer harbour and good baseline data are now available to assess any long term changes. It was determined that fall is the best time of year to assess these species for reproduction, abundance and growth, and that they have good potential to be used as sentinel species in future monitoring of potential hotspots.

Project 1 generated a strong baseline on sediment contaminants and invertebrates at sites in the harbour and ongoing monitoring (fall sampling only) is recommended to continue to understand year-to-year changes. This will provide greater certainty in the results of future monitoring activities for areas of the SJH that have known or suspected environmental impacts, and facilitate decision-making around how to mitigate these impacts.

PROJECT 2: DETERMINING METHODS FOR MONITORING ICHTHYOPLANKTON, FISH COMMUNITIES, SAND SHRIMP, AND CAGED MUSSELS ICHTHYOPLANKTON

The companion study of invertebrates living in the bottom sediments and of contaminants in Saint John Harbour recommended long term monitoring of these components.

Adding fish eggs and larvae to the protocol may increase the ecological range and assessment power of biomonitoring, but, as with the other faunal groups, further study is needed to identify the responses of the ichthyoplankton community to environmental stressors in the SJH, and also to ascertain whether these organisms are good indicators of the health of adult fish populations.

Herring larva

Cod larva

(Below) Processing a plankton sample for fish eggs and larvae

Eggs & Larvae per hundred cubic meters of water

Fish eggs, larvae, and early juveniles may be more sensitive to pollution than adult fish, and can indicate where mature fish are spawning or where there are important nursery habitats. This was the first time that the spatial and temporal distribution of fish eggs and larvae in Saint John Harbour was investigated. Tows of a conical plankton net were used to collect ichthyoplankton at each site from 2011 to 2014 (sampling was done at the same sites as for the invertebrate and sediment studies). Despite Saint John Harbour having been an industrial site for over two centuries it remains a nursery site for a wide variety of fish.

Twenty six species, including five not previously reported from Saint John Harbour were recorded. Fourbeard rockling, a small non-commercial species, was the most abundant fish caught but Atlantic herring, hake species and cunner were also very abundant. Results showed that summer is the optimal time to capture fish eggs and larvae in Saint John Harbour as they are most abundant during this time.

Outer harbour sites also have a larger and more consistent community for these organisms. The data were used to develop “baseline reference conditions,� indicating ranges of natural variability in abundance and number of species of fish eggs plus larvae; these conditions can be used as thresholds for assessing future cumulative effects in the Saint John Harbour.

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Average number of eggs and larvae caught in plankton net tows at Inner and Outer Saint John Harbour sites.

Significantly more eggs and larvae were caught in summer than other seasons and in the Outer- than Inner-Harbour during 11 surveys from 2011-2014

Canadian Water Network | Report released April 2016

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DESIGNING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAINT JOHN HARBOUR Allen Curry, Heather Hunt, Karen Kidd, University of New Brunswick, Research conducted 2012-2015

FISH The project intended to identify an appropriate sentinel species of fish that could be caught relatively easily and consistently in the SJH. Previous research indicated that winter flounder or sculpins (three species) might make good sentinel species. However, sampling with a variety of fishing equipment in several shallow habitats (<15 m depth) did not yield enough fish of the same species at the same sites over time to make meaningful monitoring recommendations.

In collaboration with the Saint John Port Authority, fish were studied to determine whether there were differences in the catches and species richness (number of different species) between dredged and un-dredged parts of the harbour. Twenty paired (dredged versus un-dredged) tows (each 0.3 nautical miles long, and approximately 10 minutes in duration) with a small bottom trawl were done at four sites in October 2013 and August 2014. A total of 589 fish representing 14 species were caught with most fish (64%) being taken at un-dredged sites. Species richness was slightly higher at un-dredged sites (12 species) compared to dredged sites (11 species). White flounder, windowpane, gaspereau and white hake were the most abundant species at both sets of sites. Despite these differences, statistical analyses indicate no significant differences in the catches and species richness between dredged and un-dredged sites. Further analyses are underway to determine whether there might be differences in catches between dredged and un-dredged sites for bottom-dwelling species in particular.

However, significant differences were observed among the fish assemblages (variety of species) found at each of the four sites. Given that the bottom trawl sampling was effective in detecting differences in fish assemblages among sites, this monitoring may be especially useful in assessing ecological changes in fish distribution throughout the harbour.

Dredging in the Saint John Harbour is required to maintain adequate shipping channels

SAND SHRIMP Because sand shrimp are widely distributed and easily caught at sites around the harbour, they were identified as a potentially informative and cost-effective sentinel species for nearshore areas. Sampling was conducted to determine whether abundance, growth or reproduction were affected at a nearshore site that receives municipal wastewater effluent, and whether occurrence and growth differed between dredged and undredged areas of the harbour.

Four nearshore sites around the harbour were sampled â&#x20AC;&#x201C; three reference sites and one which receives municipal wastewater effluent (MWE). Results showed that shrimp were generally longer and heavier at the MWE site. Results of this nature are often associated with nutrient enrichment from municipal wastewater. Contaminants in the sediments at these sites were also measured. Although there was no clear trend in sediment metals that could explain the differences in shrimp sizes, one relatively pristine site (Musquash Marine Protected Area) had elevated arsenic and nickel concentrations and another site (Digby Ferry Terminal) had high PAHs. Sand shrimp show potential to be used in environmental monitoring programs after further asessments of their ability to reflect local conditions.

Canadian Water Network | Report released April 2016

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DESIGNING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAINT JOHN HARBOUR Allen Curry, Heather Hunt, Karen Kidd, University of New Brunswick, Research conducted 2012-2015

Far left: Photograph of a mussel cage prior to deployment in the SJH; Right: close-up of a blue mussel.

BLUE MUSSEL CAGING EXPERIMENTS Caged mussels have been successfully used as sentinel species in marine monitoring programs globally. Recent studies show that transplanting bivalves from a reference site to a polluted area can be a feasible strategy for monitoring the effects of contaminants in the water column in both coastal and estuarine zones â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially where native sentinels are not available.

For this reason, caged mussels are an ideal sentinel, due to their sessile filter-feeding mechanism, which allows them to rapidly bioaccumulate contaminants in their tissues. The objective of this project was to establish baseline criteria for cumulative effects monitoring in the Saint John Harbour using the common blue mussel as a potential sentinel species. Mortality, growth, energy storage, reproduction, disease diagnostics, and the accumulation of trace metals and organic compounds were measured. Results from other monitoring in the Gulf of Maine (Gulfwatch) and a US national program (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) were used for comparison.

Sites for the mussel study were selected to overlap with the invertebrate and sediment sites in the inner and outer harbour. In addition, some sites in the outer Bay of Fundy were chosen to determine the extent of spatial variability in growth, reproduction, mortality, and the bioaccumulation of contaminants that may exist between harbour and outer bay sites.

Several experimental deployments of caged mussels were done from 2012 to 2014 during different seasons. While mussels caged at the harbour and outer bay sites were consistently higher in some trace metals, there were no significant differences in the biological health of the mussels, as determined by growth, reproduction, or mortality.

SUMMARY OF SAINT JOHN HARBOUR MONITORING RECOMMENDATIONS PROJECT COMPONENT

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MONITORING

ADVANTAGES

LIMITATIONS

Sediment contaminants and infaunal invertebrates

NN Sample annually in October for sediment invertebrates and contaminants

NN Good indicator of habitat quality and pollution exposure for aquatic species

NN Invertebrate results can be variable and affected by sediment quality

NN Collect 5 or more grab samples per site at the 6 established reference sites

NN Some invertebrate species are pollution tolerant and are indicative of sites with more contamination

NN Longer-term sampling of sedimentdwelling invertebrates is required to establish a baseline because of their natural variability

NN Divide grab samples for sediment analysis and invertebrate analysis NN Additional 3 years of sampling recommended to solidify baseline information Caged mussels

NN Some SJH stakeholders already require this sampling for other projects NN Sediment contaminants have low seasonal and annual variability at reference sites

NN Requires taxonomic expertise and access to specialized analytical equipment for chemical analysis

NN Cage 100 individuals/site for 90 day exposure at 6 sites, February to April

NN Good indicator of water quality conditions

NN Finding source of mussels for caging can be difficult

NN Measure survival, growth, reproduction, tissue metal concentrations

NN Well-studied species, data available from broader geographic area (Gulf Watch program) for comparison

NN Cages can be lost due to human interference or weather conditions

NN Used in other biomonitoring studies/ programs as an alternative to fish

NN Difficult to distinguish between Atlantic coast mussel species NN Difficult to measure growth and reproduction on the same samples because they have different optimal sampling times

Canadian Water Network | Report released April 2016

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DESIGNING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAINT JOHN HARBOUR Allen Curry, Heather Hunt, Karen Kidd, University of New Brunswick, Research conducted 2012-2015

Ichthyoplankton

NN Collect 3 samples per site in June (annually)

NN Can be a good indicator of water quality conditions

NN 333 Îźm mesh plankton net with 10-minute tows

NN Abundant and easily caught

NN Outer harbour sites better for biomonitoring (more representative of community structure)

NN May be indicative of conditions for mature fish

NN Further research is needed to determine whether ichthyoplankton are a good sentinel in the SJH and whether they warrant inclusion in a long-term monitoring program NN Inclusion of invertebrate organisms in plankton would be more representative of overall ecological conditions NN Requires specialized taxonomic expertise

Fish

Sand shrimp

NN Not recommended for standard monitoring activities

NN Economic, cultural, recreational value

NN Sand shrimp are relatively easy to sample onshore with a beach seine net or offshore with a small-mesh bottom trawl

NN Widely distributed, easy to catch and measure

NN Optimal sampling time from May to August when egg-bearing females are most common NN May migrate offshore during winter, so further study is needed to understand seasonal movement

NN Useful for addressing specific monitoring questions (e.g. impact of dredging)

NN Data available from other monitoring studies for comparison NN Results suggest sand shrimp are relatively sedentary from spring to fall

NN Difficult to catch consistent number of individuals and species across sites and dates using available equipment NN Preliminary findings indicate they are of limited use for assessing dredging impacts NN Further study needed to determine optimal standard monitoring

NN Preliminary results show potential sensitivity to stressors (e.g. indicators of wastewater input)

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE WATERSHED AND ITS STAKEHOLDERS? There is considerable potential for the development of large energy projects in Saint John over the coming decades, given shifting economic and political perspectives around the extraction and transport of fossil fuels and existing oil refining and liquefied natural gas infrastructure. This has the potential to increase urban development, which will put added pressure on municipal infrastructure.

The research team is finalizing recommendations for long-term monitoring to assess the cumulative effects of current or future environmental stressors in the SJH, with clear recommendations about where, when and how to study the ecological and chemical conditions in the harbour. This will provide a common and scientifically rigorous approach to understanding and mitigating environmental impacts, and facilitate decision-making related to new developments around the harbour.

The results from this project will have important implications for the broader Canadian Water Network Watershed Research Consortium. Canadian Water Network is coordinating similar projects at several key locations across Canada, and the results and experiences of the work that has been done in the Saint John Harbour will provide valuable information about how to design and implement research to meet the needs of end-users and advance the community of practice working in cumulative effects assessments in Canadian watersheds.

Canadian Water Network | Report released April 2016

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DESIGNING A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE SAINT JOHN HARBOUR Allen Curry, Heather Hunt, Karen Kidd, University of New Brunswick, Research conducted 2012-2015

RESEARCH TEAM

MARIE-JOSÉE ABGRALL

MARIE-JOSÉE MALTAIS

BRYCE PIPPY

SIMON COURTENAY

VINCE MCMULLIN

ALLEN CURRY

ANGELLA MERCER

RYAN POWER AND JORDANA VAN GEEST, University of New Brunswick and Canadian Rivers Institute

HEATHER HUNT

DAVID METHVEN

KAREN KIDD

KELLY MUNKITTRICK

LOU VAN GUELPEN, Huntsman Marine Science Centre.

SAINT JOHN HARBOUR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PARTNERSHIP MEMBERS

ACAP SAINT JOHN

ENTERPRISE SAINT JOHN

PORT SAINT JOHN

AQUILA TOURS

ENVIRONMENT CANADA

POTASHCORP NB DIVISION

BAY FERRIES LTD.

FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

SAINT JOHN BOARD OF TRADE

CANADIAN COAST GUARD

FUNDY BAYKEEPER

SAINT JOHN WATER

CANADIAN RIVERS INSTITUTE

FUNDY NORTH FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION

SAINT JOHN WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

CANAPORT LNG (REPSOL)

HUNTSMAN MARINE SCIENCE CENTRE

ST. MARY’S FIRST NATION

CITY OF SAINT JOHN

IRVING OIL

UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK

EMERA ENERGY INC. (BAYSIDE POWER)

JD IRVING

EMERA ENERGY INC. (BRUNSWICK PIPELINE)

NEW BRUNSWICK DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

REFERENCES

CANADIAN COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE ENVIRONMENT. 1999. Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life.

NATIONAL STATUS AND TRENDS MUSSEL WATCH PROGRAM : http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/about/coast/ nsandt/musselwatch.aspx

CANADIAN WATERSHED RESEARCH CONSORTIUM SAINT JOHN HARBOUR NODE: http://www.cwn-rce.ca/ initiatives/canadian-watershed-research-consortium/ saint-john-harbour-node/

PIPPY, B. 2015. Understanding variability in sediment contaminants and benthic invertebrate populations in the Saint John Harbour. Master of Science thesis, University of New Brunswick.

VAN GEEST, J.L., KIDD, K.A., HUNT, H.L., ABGRALL, M.J., MALTAIS, M.J., AND A. MERCER. 2015. Development of baseline data for long-term monitoring of sediment conditions at reference sites in Saint John Harbour, New Brunswick: benthic infaunal invertebrates and sediment contaminants 2011-2013. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish.

Aquat. Sci. 3076: v + 97 p.

POWER, R. 2015. Investigation of sand shrimp (Crangon septemspinosa) as a sentinel species in the Saint John Harbour, Bay of Fundy, Canada. Master of Science thesis, University of New Brunswick.

Canadian Water Network | Report released April 2016

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