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State of the Niagara River

Brad Hill Environment Canada Burlington, Ontario CANADA. State of the Niagara River. L. Ontario. N.O.T.L. Niagara Falls. F.E. L. Erie. Background. Approximately 56 km (35 mi) long Elevation drop is approx. 100m (53m over Niagara Falls)

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State of the Niagara River

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  1. Brad Hill Environment Canada Burlington, Ontario CANADA State of the Niagara River

  2. L. Ontario N.O.T.L Niagara Falls F.E. L. Erie

  3. Background • Approximately 56 km (35 mi) long • Elevation drop is approx. 100m (53m over Niagara Falls) • Empties approx. 2/5ths of the fresh water in North America • Significant loading source for Lake Ontario • Currently divert 50% - 75% of flow for power generation

  4. Historical Context • 1950s: IJC reports on pollution problems • 1973: IJC designates Niagara River as “Problem Area” • Late 1970s: Love Canal • 1980 & 1981: Canada/Ontario Review Board Baseline Reports summarize environmental conditions in the Niagara River • 1981: IJC Special Report on Pollution of the Niagara River • 1981 – 1983: Niagara River Toxics Committee report • 1987: Niagara River “Declaration of Intent” - NRTMP • 1996: “Letter of Support”

  5. Source Reduction • Point Sources • Non-point Sources Ambient Monitoring • Upstream/Downstream Program • Biomonitoring – caged mussels, Y-o-Y fish Public Information • Annual Reports • Public Meetings every 3 years NRTMP Work Plan

  6. Monitoring Programs • 3 main components: • Upstream/Downstream • Water and suspended sediment • Biomonitoring • Mussels and fish • Tributary screening & trackdown • Sediment investigations in tributaries • Additional components: • Point & Non-point Sources • Landfills, STPs, HWS

  7. Caged Mussel Biomonitoring • Mussels deployed for 21-day exposures • Routine monitoring at 36 stations (total PCB, OC pesticides, chlorinated benzenes) • PCB congeners at 14 stations • Dioxins & furans at 10 stations • PAHs at 8 stations • Dechlorane plus at 4 stations • New stations for 2009 include: • Bakers Creek • Lyons Creek • Welland River • Scajaquada Creek • Rattle Snake Creek

  8. Young-of-the-Year (YOY) Fish Sampling Summary of sampling sites and number of YOY fish composite samples collected in Niagara River during 2009 • Most recently collected in fall 2009 • Used to analyse local conditions • Samples submitted for routine parameters (Hg, total PCBs, pesticides) • Data pending

  9. Tributary Screening • Sediment samples from Niagara tributaries • Site specific sampling and analysis • No “hot spots” found that trigger immediate action • Certain areas may deserve further attention • Guideline exceedences of PCBs, Mercury, Lindane and Zinc • Low levels and non-detects validate effectiveness of remediation • On going monitoring by MOE and assessment by RAP show some tributaries may no longer be sources of contaminants

  10. L. Ontario N.O.T.L F.E. L. Erie

  11. 1,3-Dichlorobenzene 1,4-Dichlorobenzene 1,2-Dichlorobenzene1,3-Dichlorobenzene 1,4-Dichlorobenzene 1,2-Dichlorobenzene 1,3,5-Trichlorobenzene 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene 1,2,3,4-Tetrachlorobenzene Pentachlorobenzene Hexachlorobenzene Hexachlorobutadiene Hexachlorocyclopetadiene Heptachlor Aldrin Octachlorosytrene p,p’-DDE p,p’-DDD o,p’-DDT p,p’-DDT DDT Total Photomirex Mirex α-BHC γ-BHC Heptachlor Epoxide Total Chlordane α-Endosulfan -Endosulfan Dieldrin Endrin Endrin Aldehyde Methoxychlor TCPCB 2-Methyl Naphthalene 1-Methyl Naphthalene Naphthalene Acenaphthylene Fluorene Phenanthrene Anthracene Beta-Chloronaphthalene Atrazine Metolachlor Fluoranthene Pyrene Benz(a)anthracene Chrysene/Triphenylene Benzo(b+k)fluoranthene Benzo(a)pyrene Indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene Benzo(g,h,i)perylene Aluminum Antimony Arsenic Barium Boron Beryllium Cadmium Cobalt Chromium Copper Gallium Lanthanum Iron Lithium Manganese Molybdenum Nickel Lead Rubidium Selenium Silver Strontium Tellurium Uranium Vanadium Zinc Mercury

  12. Hexachlorobenzene p,p’-DDE p,p’-DDT DDT TotalMirex Total Chlordane Dieldrin TCPCB Benz(a)anthracene Chrysene/TriphenyleneBenzo(b+k)fluorantheneBenzo(a)pyrene Indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyreneBenzo(g,h,i)perylene Aluminum Iron Mercury

  13. Hexachlorobenzene Mirex Chrysene/TriphenyleneBenzo(a)pyrene Iron

  14. 60% 77%

  15. 110% 85%

  16. 75% 73%

  17. Long-term Summary: NOTL Concentrations

  18. Monitoring Summary • Significant decreases in concentrations for most compounds between 1986 and 2005 • Some compounds still exceed strictest agency criteria • Local sources continue to contribute contaminants to the Niagara River • Upstream and/or basin-wide sources may be more significant for certain chemicals

  19. Thank you Brad Hill, Environment Canadabrad.hill@ec.gc.ca(905) 319-7209

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