Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Contaminant sources, distribution and fate in the Athabasca, Peace and Slave River Basins, Canada

  • Published:
Journal of Aquatic Ecosystem Stress and Recovery

Abstract

Northern river ecosystems worldwide are under increasing environmental stress from degrading developments that influence water quality and associated ecological integrity. In particular, contaminant-related threats to these systems are rising from enhanced industrial and municipal effluent discharges along with elevated non-point source inputs related to land-use activities such as forestry, agriculture, mining and long-range atmospheric transport. In this regard, the contaminants program of the Northern River Basins Study (NRBS) in western Canada identified key contaminant sources to the Athabasca, Slave and Peace river basins (particularly related to pulp-mill developments) and assessed their environmental fate and distribution in water and sediments. The study also developed and employed new analytical approaches and generated improved models to predict contaminant transport and fate in the aquatic environment and related food webs. Consequently the study focused on those contaminant families identified in characterization studies as arising from key point- and non-point sources within the basins or as being of greatest toxicological significance. These included resin acids, polychlorinated dioxins and furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorinated phenolics, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and selected heavy metals such as mercury. Low or non-detectable concentrations of a number of contaminant groups were found in the ambient water phase including chlorinated phenolics, some chlorinated dioxins and furans and some resin acids. For both suspended and depositional sediments, significant declines were observed over the study period for the major chlorinated contaminant groups tested, correlating directly with the implementation of improved effluent treatment in many of the pulp mills located in the basins. In general, the environmental levels of chlorinated organic and metal contaminants in water or sediments were low and within Canadian health or environmental guidelines. It is hoped that the approaches used and lessons learned from the NRBS will be of use to others assessing contaminant and multiple stressor issues in other large river ecosystems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alke, E. E., 1995. Executive summary of a workshop on the impacts of land clearing on the hydrologic and aquatic resources of boreal forests in Alberta, November 18 and 19, 1994. Report No. 63, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, A-M., 1995. Overview of Pesticide Data for Alberta Surface Waters. Prepared for the Canada/Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Agreement, Alberta Environment, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ballschmiter, K., 1991. Global distribution of organic compounds. Environ. Carcin. Ecotox. Revs. C9: 1–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrie, L. A., D. Gregor, B. Hargrave, R. Lake, D. Muir, R. Shearer, T. Tracey & T. Bidleman, 1992. Arctic contaminants: sources, occurrence and pathways. Sci. Tot. Environ. 22: 1–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boon, P. J., B. R. Davies & G. E. Petts (eds), 2000. Global Perspectives on River Conservation. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., Chichester, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourbonniere, R. A., S. L. Telford & J. B. Kemper, 1996a. Depositional history of sediments in Legend and Weekes Lakes: Geochronology and bulk parameters. Report No. 71, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourbonniere, R. A., S. L. Telford & J. B. Kemper, 1996b. Depositional history of sediment in Lake Athabasca: Geochronology, bulk parameters, contaminants and biogeochemical markers. Report No. 72, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brownlee, B., 1996. Selection of Environmental Fate Properties for a Suite of Organic Compounds Employed in Northern River Basins Study Contaminant Fate and Food Chain Modelling. Technical Note AEPB-TN–96–04, National Water Research Institute, Burlington, Ontario.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brownlee, B. G., S. L. Telford, R. W. Crosley & L. R. Noton, 1996. Distribution of organic contaminants in bottom sediments, Peace and Athabasca River Basins, 1988–1992. Report No. 134, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brunckhorst, D. J., 2000. Bioregional Planning. Harwood Academic Publ., Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canadian Arctic Contaminants Assessment Report (CACAR), 1997. Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Government of Canada, Ottawa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carey, J. H. & O. T. R. Cordeiro, 1997. Effects of contaminants on aquatic organisms in the Peace, Athabasca and Slave Basins. Synthesis Report No. 2, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carey, J. H., P. Cook, J. Giesy, P. Hodson, D. Muir, J. W. Owens & K. Solomon (eds), 1994. Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment of the Chlorinated Organic Chemicals. SETAC Press, Pensacola, Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carey, J. H., O. T. R. Cordeiro & B.G. Brownlee, 2001. Distribution of contaminants in the water, sediment and biota in the Peace, Athabasca and Slave River basins: present levels and predicted future trends. Synthesis Report No. 3, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cash, K. J., W. N. Gibbons, K. R. Munkittrick, S. B. Brown & J. Carey, 2000. Fish health in the Peace, Athabasca and Slave river systems. J. Aquat. Ecosystem Stress and Recovery 8: 77–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers, P. A., 1996. Nutrient enrichment in the Peace, Athabasca and Slave rivers: Assessment of present conditions and future trends. Synthesis Report No. 4, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers, P. A., A. R. Dale, G. J. Scrimgeour & M. L. Bothwell, 2000. Nutrient enrichment of northern rivers in response to pulp mill and municipal discharges. J. Aquat. Ecosystem Stress and Recovery 8: 53–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clement, R. E., S. A. Suter, E. Reiner, D. McCurvin & D. Hollinger, 1989. Concentrations of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzifurans in effluents and centrifuged particulates from Ontario pulp and paper mills. Chemosphere 19: 649–654.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S. J. (ed.), 1997. MacKenzie Basin Impact Study Final Report. Atmospheric Environment Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotham, W. E. & T. F. Bidleman, 1991. Estimating the atmospheric deposition of organic compounds to the Arctic. Chemosphhere 22: 165–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotton, M. M., 1995. Pesticide characteristics and a preliminary assessment of the potential environmental significance of pesticides to surface water. Prepared for the Canada/Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Agreement, Alberta Environment, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotton, M. M. & G. Bytrus, 1995. Pesticide sales trends in Alberta. Prepared for the Canada/Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Agreement, Alberta Environment, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crosley, R., 1996a. Contaminants in water and sediment, upper Athabasca River, April 1992. </del>Report No. 108, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crosley, R., 1996b. Environmental contaminants in bottom sediments, Peace and Athabasca River Basins, October 1994 and May 1995. Report No. 106, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crosley, R., 1996c. Environmental contaminants in water and sediments; PCDDs, PCDFs and resin acids, Athabasca River basin, February-May, 1993. Report No. 130, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • Culp, J. M., C. L. Podemski & K. J. Cash, 2000. Interactive effects of nutrients and contaminants from pulp mill effluents on riverine benthos. J. Aquat. Ecosystem Stress and Recovery 8: 67–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donald, D. B., H. L. Craig & J. Syrginnis, 1996. Contaminants in environmental samples: Mercury in the Peace, Athabasca and Slave River basins. Report No. 105, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Environment Canada, 1991. Effluents from pulp mills using bleaching. Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Priority Substances List Assessment Report No. 2, Environment Canada and Health and Welfare Canada, Ottawa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, M. S., R. A. Bourbonniere, D. G. C. Muir, W. L. Lockhart, P. Wilkinson & B. N. Billeck, 1996. Depositional history of sediments in Great Slave Lake: Spatial and temporal patterns in geochronology, bulk parameters, PAHs and chlorinated contaminants. Report No. 99, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flett, L., L. Bill, J. Crozier & D. C. Surrendi, 1996. A report of wisdom synthesized from the traditional knowledge component studies. Synthesis Report No. 8, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gummer, Wm. D., K. J. Cash, F. J. Wrona & T. D. Prowse, 2001. The Northern River Basins Study: context and design. J. Aquat. Ecosystem Stress and Recovery 8: 7–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hebert, D., 1995. Overview of Forest Impacts and the Extent of Harvesting in Northern Alberta. Report No. 63, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoff, R.M., 1994. An error budget for the determination of atmospheric mass loading of toxic chemicals in the Great Lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research 20: 229–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoff, R. M., D. G. C. Muir & N. P. Grift, 1992. Annual cycle of polychlorinated biphenyls and organohalogenated pesticides in air in southern Ontario. I. Air concentration data. Environmental Science and Technology 26: 266–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, I., 1997. Broad spectrum analysis of municipal and industrial effluents discharged into the Peace, Athabasca and Slave River Basins: Review of GC-MS data, 1989 to 1994 (Volumes 1, 2 and 3). Report No. 111, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. I. & A. Urso, 1997. Broad spectrum analysis of municipal and industrial effluents discharged into the peace, Athabasca and Slave River basins, evaluation of surface waters. Report No. 138, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. I., A. Urso & L. Geleta, 1997. Broad Spectrum Analysis of Municipal and Industrial Effluents Discharged into the Peace, Athabasca and Slave River Basins: Characterization of Effluent Samples, 1994. Report No. 121, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, B. K. & B. J. Hillaby, 1991. Effects of process improvements on pulp mill effluent characteristics. In: A. Södergren (ed.), Environmental Fate and Effects of Bleached Pulp Mill Effluents, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency Report 4031, pp. 101–109.

  • Karr, J. D., J. D. Allan and A. C. Benke, 2000. River conservation in the United States and Canada. In: P. J. Boon, B. R. Davies & G.E. Petts (eds), Global Perspectives on River Conservation, John Wiley Sons, New York, pp. 3–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuehl, D. W., B. C. Butterworth, W. M. DeVita & C. P. Sauer, 1987. Environmental contamination by polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans associated with pulp and paper mill discharge. Biomed. Environ. Mass. Spectrom. 14: 443–447.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishnappan, B. G. & R. Stephens, 1996. Critical shear stresses for erosion and deposition of fine suspended sediment from the Athabasca River. Report No. 85, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishnappan, B., G. R. Stephens, J. A. Kraft & B. H. Moore, 1995. Size distribution and transport of suspended particles, Athabasca River, February and September, 1993. Report No. 51, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockhart, W. L., R. Wagemann, B. Tracey, D. Sutherland & D. J. Thomas, 1992. Presence and implications of chemical contaminants in fresh waters of the Canadian Arctic. Sci. Tot. Environ. 122: 165–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacLock, R. B., B. Lyons & E. Ellehoj, 1996. Environmental overview of the Northern River basins. Synthesis Report No. 8, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacLock, D & J. Thompson, 1997. Characterization of aquatic resources within the Peace, Athabasca and Slave River systems. Synthesis Report No. 7, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinsen, K., A. Kringstad & A. Carlberg, 1988. Methods for the determination of sum parameters and characterization of organochlorine compounds in spent bleach liquors from pulp mills and water, sediment, and biological samples from receiving waters. Water Sci. Technol. 20: 13–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCauley, F. E. R., 1997. A review and evaluation of water quality and quantity models used by the Northern River Basins Study. Report No. 82, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCubbin, N. & J. Folke, 1993. A review of Literature on pulp and paper mill effluent characteristics in the Peace and Athabasca River basins. Report No. 15, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCubbin, N., P. Labrosse and AGRA Earth and Environmental Ltd., 1996. NORTHDAT, an effluent database management system, application description. Report No. 16, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muir, D. C. G., R. Wagemann, B. T. Hargrave, D. J. Thomas, D. B. Peakall & R. J. Norstrom, 1992. Arctic marine ecosystem contamination. Sci. Tot. Environ. 122, 75–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muir, D. C. G., M. Segstro, P. M. Welbourne, D. Toom, S. J. Eisenreich, C. R. Macdonald & D. Whelpdale, 1993. Patterns of accumulation of airborne organochlorine contaminants in lichens from the upper Great Lakes region of Ontario. Environmental Science and Technology 27: 1201–1210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munkittrick, K. R., 1992. Recent North American studies of bleached kraft mill impacts on the reproduction and growth of fish populations. In: A. Södergren (ed.), Environmental Fate and Effects of Bleached Pulpmill Effluent. Proceedings of a Swedish EPA conference; 1991 Nov 19–21; Stockholm, Sweden. Swedish EPA Report 4031, pp. 347–356.

  • Munkittrick, K. R., C. Portt, G. J. Van Der Kraak, I. R. Smith & D. A. Rokosh, 1991. Impact of bleached kraft mill effluent on liver MFO activity, serum steroid levels and population characteristics of a Lake Superior white sucker population. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 48: 1371–1380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munkittrick, K. R., G. J. Van Der Kraak, M. E. McMaster & C. B. Portt, 1992a. Relative benefit of secondary treatment and mill shutdown on mitigating impacts of bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) on MFO activity and serum steroids in fish. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 11: 1427–1439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munkittrick, K. R., M. E. McMaster, C. B. Portt, G. J. Van Der Kraak, I. R. Smith & D. J. Dixon, 1992b. Changes in maturity, plasma sex steroid levels, hepatic MFO activity and the presence of external lesions in lake whitefish exposed to bleached kraft mill effluent. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 49: 1560–1569.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munktttrick, K. R., M. E. McMaster, L. H. McCarthy, M. R. Servos & G. J. Van Der Kraak, 1998. An overview of recent studies on the potential of pulp mill effluents to impact reproductive function in fish. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health, Part B 1: 101–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nienhuis, P. H., R. S. E. W. Leuven & A. M. J. Ragas (eds), 1998. New Concepts for Sustainable Management of River Basins. Backhuys Publ., Leiden, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Northern River Basins Study Board, 1996. Northern River basins study: Report to the ministers. Final Report, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pastershank, G. M. & D. G. C. Muir, 1995. Contaminants in environmental samples: PCDDs and PCDFs downstream of bleached kraft mills, Peace and Athabasca Rivers, 1992. Report No. 44, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prowse, T. D. & C. S. L. Ommanney (eds), 1990. Northern hydrology-Canadian perspective. National Hydrology Research Institute Science Report No. 1, Environment Canada, Saskatoon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prowse, T. D. & M. Conly, 1996. Impact of flow regulation on the aquatic ecosystem of the Peace and Slave Rivers. Synthesis Report No. 1, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • SENTAR Consultants Ltd., 1996. A synthesis of information on effluent characteristics of municipal and non-pulp mill industrial sources in the Peace, Athabasca and Slave River basins. Report No. 79, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Der Kraak, G. J., K. R. Munkittrick, M. E. McMaster, C. B. Portt & J. P. Chang, 1992a. Exposure to bleached kraft pulp mill effluent disrupts the pituitary-gonadal axis of white sucker at multiple sites. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 115: 224–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Der Kraak, G. J., K. R. Munkittrick, M. E. McMaster, C. B. Portt & J. P. Chang. 1992b. Assessment of reproductive fitness in white sucker exposed to bleach kraft mill effluent. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 115: 224–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wrona, F. J., Wm. D. Gummer, K. J. Cash & K. Crutchfield, 1996. Cumulative impacts within the Northern River Basins. Synthesis Report No. 11, Northern River Basins Study, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Water Research Institute, 11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5, Canada

    Frederick J. Wrona

  2. National Water Research Institute, 867 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6, Canada

    John Carey & Brian Brownlee

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Ed McCauley

Authors
  1. Frederick J. Wrona
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John Carey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Brian Brownlee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ed McCauley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frederick J. Wrona.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wrona, F.J., Carey, J., Brownlee, B. et al. Contaminant sources, distribution and fate in the Athabasca, Peace and Slave River Basins, Canada. Journal of Aquatic Ecosystem Stress and Recovery 8, 39–51 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011487605757

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011487605757

Search

Navigation