Elk Falls Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) Cycle Four Interpretive Report

Final

March 2007

Prepared for: Catalyst Paper Corporation Campbell River, British Columbia

Suite 201 – 1571 Bellevue Ave., West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V7V 1A6 • Tel: 1.604.926.3261 • Fax: 1.604.926.5389 • www.hatﬁ eldgroup.com

ELK FALLS ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS MONITORING (EEM) CYCLE FOUR INTERPRETIVE REPORT

FINAL

Prepared for:

CATALYST PAPER CORPORATION PO BOX 2000 NORTH ISLAND HIGHWAY CAMPBELL RIVER, BC V9W 5C9

Prepared by:

HATFIELD CONSULTANTS SUITE 201 – 1571 BELLEVUE AVENUE WEST VANCOUVER, BC V7V 1A6

MARCH 2007

EF1128.2

Suite 201 – 1571 Bellevue Ave., West Vancouver, BC, Canada V7V 1A6 • Tel: 1.604.926.3261 • Fax: 1.604.926.5389 • www.hatfieldgroup.com TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES ...... iii LIST OF FIGURES...... iv LIST OF APPENDICES ...... vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...... vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... viii DISTRIBUTION LIST ...... vi

1.0 INTRODUCTION...... 1

2.0 MILL, STUDY AREA, AND CYCLE FOUR DESIGN UPDATE ...... 3 2.1 MILL OPERATIONS...... 3 2.1.1 Process Description and Update ...... 3 2.1.2 Effluent Quality ...... 4 2.1.3 Incidents within the Receiving Environment ...... 6 2.2 STUDY AREA UPDATES...... 6 2.3 CYCLE FOUR STUDY DESIGN UPDATE...... 7

3.0 PROCESS EFFLUENT SUBLETHAL TOXICOLOGICAL TESTING...... 8 3.1 SUBLETHAL TOXICITY TEST METHODS ...... 9 3.1.1 General Methods and Definitions ...... 9 3.1.2 Test Methods ...... 10 3.2 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ...... 11 3.2.1 Topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) Growth and Survival Test...... 11 3.2.2 Echinoderm Fertilization Test...... 11 3.2.3 Champia parvula Reproduction Test...... 14 3.2.4 Potential Zone of Sublethal Effect ...... 14 3.3 CONCLUSIONS...... 16

4.0 FISH TISSUE SURVEY ...... 17 4.1 FISH SURVEY...... 17 4.2 TISSUE ANALYSES: DIOXINS AND FURANS...... 17 4.3 TAINTING EVALUATION ...... 20

5.0 INTERTIDAL INVERTEBRATE SURVEY...... 27 5.1 INTRODUCTION...... 27 5.2 METHODS...... 28 5.2.1 Modifications to Sampling Design ...... 28 5.2.2 Station Selection...... 28 5.2.3 Field Sampling Procedures ...... 31 5.2.4 Analytical Approach ...... 33

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final i Hatfield 5.3 RESULTS ...... 37 5.3.1 Density and Community Composition ...... 37 5.3.2 Taxonomic Richness...... 40 5.3.3 Biotic Community Indices ...... 40 5.3.4 Supporting Environmental Variables...... 43 5.3.5 Statistical Analyses ...... 46 5.4 DISCUSSION ...... 51

6.0 CYCLE FOUR CONCLUSIONS ...... 54

7.0 REFERENCES...... 56

8.0 GLOSSARY ...... 59

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final ii Hatfield LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1 Annual means for process effluent quality variables, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, 2004 to 2006...... 3

Table 3.1 Maximum potential zone of sublethal effect, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four...... 15

Table 5.1 Sampling station characteristics, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four intertidal survey, summer 2006...... 29

Table 5.2 Summary of intertidal invertebrate community metrics, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 39

Table 5.3 Most abundant invertebrate taxa (per m2) in the mid-intertidal zone, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 41

Table 5.4 Physical characteristics and water quality at intertidal survey locations, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 45

Table 5.5 Qualitative assessment of macrophyte communities at intertidal survey locations, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 46

Table 5.6 Results of regression analyses (n=13) conducted to test relationships between intertidal community metrics and distance from the pulpmill diffuser, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 47

Table 5.7 Results of regression analyses conducted to test relationships between water quality, slope, and distance from the pulpmill diffuser, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 47

Table 5.8 Results of Spearman rank correlations (n=13) conducted among intertidal community metrics, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 49

Table 5.9 Results of Spearman rank correlations (rs) among water quality variables, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 50

Table 5.10 Results of Spearman rank correlations (rs) between intertidal invertebrate community metrics and water quality variables, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 50

Table 5.11 Summary of effects observed during EEM Cycles Three and Four on invertebrate communities in the mid-intertidal zone according to distance from the Elk Falls mill...... 52

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final iii Hatfield LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1 Mean daily production and effluent flows from 1985 to 2006 Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division...... 4

Figure 2.2 Location of Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, on Discovery Passage, British Columbia...... 5

Figure 2.3 Mean daily biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and adsorbable organic halides (AOX) in effluent, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, 1985 to 2006...... 7

Figure 3.1 Fish early life stage – topsmelt growth IC25 endpoints for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four...... 12

Figure 3.2 Fish early life stage – topsmelt survival LC50 endpoints for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four...... 12

Figure 3.3 Echinoderm tests - fertilization IC25 endpoints (± 95% confidence limits) for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four...... 13

Figure 3.4 Dose response curves for Winter 2005 and Summer 2005 for Echinoderms, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four...... 13

Figure 3.5 Champia parvula – reproduction IC25 endpoints (± 95% confidence limits) for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four...... 14

Figure 3.6 Dilution of Elk Falls effluent in the marine receiving environment assumed by the Environment Canada (2005) maximum-zone-of-effect model...... 16

Figure 4.1 Maximum concentrations of pulpmill effluent in Discovery Passage recorded during a dye study (measurements taken during slack tide), 1990...... 18

Figure 4.2 Estimated dispersion of effluent from Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division and 2006 fisheries closures in Discovery Passage...... 19

Figure 4.3 Elk Falls Dungeness crab hepatopancreas 2,3,7,8 T4CDD, 1990 to 2006...... 21

Figure 4.4 Elk Falls Dungeness crab hepatopancreas 2,3,7,8 T4CDF, 1990 to 2006...... 23

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final iv Hatfield Figure 4.5 Elk Falls Dungeness crab hepatopancreas 2,3,7,8 T4CDD TEQs, 1990 to 2006...... 25

Figure 5.1 Locations of intertidal invertebrate quadrat survey stations, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four...... 30

Figure 5.2 Quadrat survey of the mid-intertidal zone, station EFI-7 (April Point), showing the Elk Falls pulpmill in the background, June 2006...... 32

Figure 5.3 Typical mid-intertidal zone quadrat, station EFI-7A (Quathiaski), showing Fucus, Porphyra, and ulvoid macrophytes, June 2006...... 32

Figure 5.4 Mean density (± SE) of adult invertebrates in the mid-intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 38

Figure 5.5 Total taxonomic richness of adult invertebrates in the mid-intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 40

Figure 5.6 Diversity of adult invertebrates in the mid-intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 42

Figure 5.7 Evenness of adult invertebrates in the mid-intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 42

Figure 5.8 Bray-Curtis dissimilarities between the reference median and adult invertebrate community composition at stations in the mid- intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 43

Figure 5.9 Scatterplots showing intertidal invertebrate community metrics versus distance from the diffuser, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 48

Figure 5.10 Dendrogram describing similarities between adult invertebrate communities in the mid-intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006...... 51

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final v Hatfield LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A1 Sublethal Toxicity Data and Calculations

Appendix A2 Intertidal Invertebrate Data

Appendix A3 Laboratory Reports for Water Analyses

DISTRIBUTION LIST

The following individuals /firms have received this document:

Name Firm Hardcopies CD Mr. Blake Medlar Ministry of Environment 1 Mr. Bernard Bintner Ministry of Environment 1 Ms. Janice Boyd Environment Canada 1 1 Environment Canada Library 1 1 Ms. Sylvie Desjardin Environment Canada, EEM National Office 1 Mr. Brian Houle Catalyst Paper Corporation 2 2 Campbell River Public Library 1 1 North Island College Library 1 1 Mr. Keith Wilson Cape Mudge Band 1 Ms. Delores Broten Reach for Unbleached! 1

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final vi Hatfield ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Primary investigators for the Cycle Four program for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, from Hatfield Consultants included Ms. Nara Mehlenbacher and Mr. Martin Davies. Ms. Susan Stanley prepared the maps, and Ms. Tania Smith and Ms. Heide Baer assisted with report production.

Subcontractors involved in the project included ALS Environmental (Vancouver, BC), Dr. Charles Low (Saanich, BC), and Vizon SciTec Ltd. (Vancouver, BC).

The Elk Falls EEM Local Monitoring Committee (LMC) includes representatives from the federal and provincial governments, representatives of non-governmental organizations, community members, First Nations representatives, environmental managers from Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, and Hatfield Consultants. LMC meetings provided a valuable forum for reviewing results from the previous EEM cycles, and discussing the design for the Cycle Four program. Hatfield would like to acknowledge members of the LMC for their assistance:

. Ms. Janice Boyd: Environment Canada;

. Mr. Blake Medlar: BC Ministry of Environment;

. Mr. Bernard Bintner: BC Ministry of Environment;

. Ms. Delores Broten: Reach for Unbleached foundation;

. Mr. Ken Miles: Painter Barclay community resident;

. Mr. James Lethbridge: Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division;

. Mr. Brian Houle: Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division; and

. Mr. Keith Wilson: Cape Mudge Band Representative.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final vii Hatfield EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) Cycle Four program for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, extended from April 2004 to April 2007, and included studies of the sublethal toxicity of effluent and intertidal invertebrate communities in Discovery Passage. An adult fish survey was not required for Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, given the small initial dilution zone of effluent in the receiving environment.

Mill processes and effluent quality remained relatively consistent during Cycle Four. During the 2006 dioxin/furan trend monitoring program, Total TEQ concentrations in crabs were below Health Canada consumption guidelines (30 pg/g hepatopancreas) at all stations, with the exception of those measured at station C5 (Gowlland Harbour) across from the mill (38.2 pg/g). Sublethal toxicity testing during Cycle Four demonstrated no effects of mill effluent on survival or growth of topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) larvae, effects on echinoderm fertilization at a mean effluent concentration of 35.29% (IC25), and effects on Champia parvula reproduction at a mean effluent concentration of 5.25% (IC25). Maximum potential zones of sublethal effect from Elk Falls effluent discharge were non-detectable (<2.5 m) for fish survival, 7 m for invertebrate fertilization, and 48 m for algal growth; however, the model used to calculate these distances assumes much less rapid dilution of effluent into the receiving environment than actually occurs at Elk Falls.

The Cycle Four invertebrate survey examined communities in the mid-intertidal zone using a gradient design of 13 stations located along Discovery Passage, from Cape Mudge (~10 km south of the mill) to the southern entrance of Seymour Narrows (~ 7 km north of the mill). Invertebrate communities were examined quantitatively within four replicate quadrats per station, and macrophytes were examined qualitatively. Supporting environmental data, including water quality and physical habitat characteristics, were collected or recorded at each station. Distance from the Elk Falls diffuser was used as the gradient of effluent exposure, and regression analyses were used to detect effects along the gradient. Statistical power of the study was sufficient to detect an effect. Intertidal invertebrate communities near the mill did not exhibit significant effects related to distance from the diffuser, nor did any of the supporting water quality variables.

Intertidal community densities were somewhat lower (not significantly) at stations nearest the mill, and Bray-Curtis indices showed community composition at stations nearest the mill to be dissimilar from community composition at “reference” stations at the north and south ends of the gradient; communities near the mill were dominated by amphipods and limpets, while reference stations were dominated by limpets and shore crabs, with few to no amphipods. However, given no overall differences in health were observed between communities near the mill and those farther along the gradient, and the results of cluster analysis showing communities at northern “reference” stations as being distinct from those at most other stations in the passage, differences in composition and abundance between the two areas were likely attributable to natural differences in habitat.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final viii Hatfield Southmost station EFI-18A (Tsakwaluten Wharf) was monitored within Cape Mudge Band territory during Cycle Four in order to respond to concerns expressed by the local community. Intertidal invertebrate communities at this station were distinct, being dominated by amphipods and purple shore crabs, rather than the plate limpets and other organisms commonly observed to dominate communities throughout the rest of the passage. Intertidal invertebrate communities at the Cape Mudge station were distinct due to natural habitat differences, and did not appear to be impacted by mill effluent discharge.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final ix Hatfield 1.0 INTRODUCTION

Under the federal Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations, which were originally released in 1992 and revised in May 2004 (Government of Canada 2004), pulpmills are required to monitor the chemistry and toxicity of mill effluent and its potential effects on the receiving environment. Effluent chemistry (limited to total suspended solids and biological oxygen demand) and lethal toxicity are measured to evaluate effluent quality and its potential to affect aquatic biota. However, because there are many factors that can alter the chemistry and toxicity of effluent in the receiving environment, Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) studies are also conducted to directly assess the effects of mill effluent on fish, fish habitat, and use of fisheries resources in the vicinity of the effluent discharge (Environment Canada 2005). EEM studies usually include:

. A fish population survey to assess the health of fish;

. A fish tissue survey to assess concentrations of dioxins and furans (only required for mills where dioxins and furans are present in mill effluent) and/ or palatability of edible portions of fish;

. A benthic invertebrate community survey to assess the condition of fish habitat;

. Supporting water quality data to help interpret findings from fish and benthic invertebrate surveys; and

. Sublethal toxicity testing to assess effects of effluent on growth and reproduction of representative aquatic organisms.

EEM programs typically are conducted in three year cycles, which begin with the development of a study design, followed by study implementation, data analysis, and reporting. All components of an EEM program are conducted in accordance with the Pulp and Paper Technical Guidance for Aquatic Environmental Effects Monitoring, which was recently updated in July 2005 (Environment Canada 2005). The first Cycle of EEM monitoring, initiated following the release of the original PPER, was completed between 1993 and 1996. Cycles Two and Three were completed between 1997 and 2000 and 2001 and 2004, respectively.

This report presents results from the EEM Cycle Four program for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division. The program, previously described in the study design (Hatfield Consultants 2006), included sublethal toxicity testing of mill effluent, a fish tissue survey, an intertidal invertebrate survey, and a supporting water quality survey. Information on changes in mill processes, effluent treatment and/ or the receiving environment that have occurred during Cycle Four is also presented. The sections in this report include:

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 1 Hatfield . Section 2 – Mill, Study Area, and Cycle Four Design Update;

. Section 3 – Process Effluent Sublethal Toxicological Testing;

. Section 4 – Fish Tissue Survey;

. Section 5 – Intertidal Invertebrate Survey;

. Section 6 – Cycle Four Conclusions;

. Section 7 – References;

. Section 8 – Glossary; and

. Appendices.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 2 Hatfield 2.0 MILL, STUDY AREA, AND CYCLE FOUR DESIGN UPDATE

2.1 MILL OPERATIONS

2.1.1 Process Description and Update Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division operates a pulpmill adjacent to Discovery Passage near Campbell River, BC (Figure 2.2). The mill has been in operation since 1952, and currently produces bleached and semi-bleached Kraft pulp and linerboard, as well as newsprint specialty papers. The mill uses a wood furnish typically consisting of 49% Hembal (hemlock-balsam fir mix), 31% Douglas fir, and 20% SPF (spruce-pine-balsam fir mix). Mean daily pulp production in 2006 was 2,321 ADMt/d, and effluent flow was 154,859 m3 /day (Table 2.1; Figure 2.1).

Table 2.1 Annual means for process effluent quality variables, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, 2004 to 2006.

Effluent Characteristic 2004 2005 2006 Production (ADMt/day) 2,225 2,300 2,321 Effluent flow (m3/day) 160,647 150,740 154,859 pH 6.70 6.66 6.65 TSS (t/day) 4.95 4.97 3.59

BOD5 (kg/day) 4.15 5.00 2.60 Toxicity (LC50)1: Rainbow trout (96h LC50) 94% 94% 100% Daphnia magna (48h LC50) 100% 98% 100% AOX (mg/L) 1.40 1.46 1.28 AOX (kg/ADMt) 0.37 0.32 0.29 2,3,7,8-TCDD (ppq) ND ND ND 2,3,7,8-TCDF (ppq) 27.7 1.8 ND

ND = Not Detected NA = Not Available 1 Percentage of tests conducted where LC50 (effluent concentration that kills 50% of organisms) was >100%.

Detailed descriptions of mill processes, including bleaching, are documented in the Cycle One pre-design report (Hatfield Consultants 1994). Some of the key process updates that have occurred since the mill began operating include:

. installation of a UNOX secondary effluent treatment system in 1991;

. introduction of non-elemental chlorine substitution (using chlorine dioxide) in 1964; and

. elimination of elemental chlorine bleaching in 1994.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 3 Hatfield Operational updates that occurred at the mill during Cycle Four include:

. shut-down of a portion of the kraft mill operation including the #1 Recovery Boiler, #1 Lime Kiln, #1 Bleach Plant, and the Kamyr continuous digester in early 2004; and

. removal of one of two primary effluent clarifiers and implementation of effluent by-pass around the equalization basin in early 2005.

Figure 2.1 Mean daily production and effluent flows from 1985 to 2006 Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division.

2,500 Total Production Effluent Flow 250,000

2,000 200,000 /d) 3

1,500 150,000

1,000 100,000 Effluent Flow(m 500 50,000 TotalProduction (ADt/d)

0 0

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

2.1.2 Effluent Quality Effluent quality variables are routinely measured following provincial and federal requirements; annual means are presented in Table 2.1 for Cycle Four (i.e., 2004 to 2006). Mean daily pulp production levels remained relatively steady over time, although values since 2003 have been the highest recorded since 1985 (Figure 2.1). Mean daily effluent discharge rates have generally decreased since 1998, and values since 2001 have been the lowest recorded since 1985 (Figure 2.1).

Effluent quality exhibited a marked improvement following introduction of the secondary treatment system in 1991 (Figure 2.3). Since then, biological oxygen demand (BOD) has remained relatively consistent, and levels of total suspended solids (TSS) and adsorbable organic halides (AOX) have generally decreased over time.

Chlorinated dioxin, specifically 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), was not detectable in effluent in Cycle Four (Table 2.1); TCDD has not been detected in effluent since 1995. During Cycle Four, chlorinated furan (specifically 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzofuran, TCDF) was detected at low levels in 2004 and 2005, but remained well below the measurable limit of 50 ppq; TCDF was not detected in effluent in 2006.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 4 Hatfield Figure 2.2 Location of Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, on Discovery Passage, British Columbia. 125°15'0"W

Owen LEGEND Bay

Chonat Waterbody Bay Stream Network

Pulpmill Maurelle Island Depth (metres) Kanish 50°15'0"N 50°15'0"N Bay Intertidal

i s c 0 - 20 o v e r y 20 - 50

a s s 50 - 100 a g e 100 - 150 150 - 200 Deepwater 200 - 250 Bay

Plumper Bay Quadra Island Seymour Narrows

Menzies Bay

u Diffuser t i l

Duncan h

n Bay D n i s e c Gowlland l o v e Harbour r y

Catalyst Paper Corporation P a s Elk Falls Division s a g e Quathiaski Ca mpb Cove ell R iver Tyee Spit Campbell River Vancouver t Island 01.5 3 6

50°0'0"N Km 50°0'0"N Cape Mudge 1:185,000 Projection: Albers Equal Area - NAD83

K:\Data\Project\EF1128\GIS\_MXD\EF1128_A_Over_2007MAR27.mxd 125°15'0"W In order to remain in compliance with the federal Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations (PPER), mills are required to sustain no acute toxicity of effluent to rainbow trout (i.e., all LC50s – effluent concentrations that kill 50% of trout – must be greater than 100% v/v effluent). There has been little to no acute toxicity of effluent to rainbow trout since 1996. During Cycle Four, the Elk Falls mill was generally in compliance with the PPER requirements (Table 2.1); 15 of 16 tests (94%) on trout passed during both 2004 and 2005, and in 2006 there was no acute toxicity of effluent to trout.

There has been little to no acute toxicity of effluent to the cladoceran Daphnia magna since 1996 (i.e., most LC50s – effluent concentrations that kill 50% of D. magna – have been greater than 100% v/v effluent). In 2006, there was no acute toxicity of effluent to Daphnia magna.

2.1.3 Incidents within the Receiving Environment

Incidents within the receiving environment reported by Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, from 2004 to 2006 include the following:

. May 16, 2004: High TSS in final effluent (261 ppm; permit max = 196 ppm);

. October 18, 2004: Acute toxicity to rainbow trout;

. June 27-30, July 1-7, 2005: BOD concentration exceeded provincial limits (federal limits were not exceeded);

. July 4, 2005: Acute toxicity to Daphnia (reportable incident);

. July 7, 2005: Acute toxicity to rainbow trout;

. August 30-31, September 6, 2005: BOD concentration exceeded provincial limits (federal limits were not exceeded); and

. March 2006: An unknown volume of caustic spilled into a tank berm, and seeped into the surrounding soil. The surface soil in the immediate area was recovered and a shallow pit was dug to sump pump accumulated caustic. It could not be determined whether any caustic reached the foreshore. A few trees which acted as a fence-like shield from the ocean died as a result of the spill; the trees were removed, soil was replaced, and seeding completed.

2.2 STUDY AREA UPDATES

During Cycle Four, construction of a new cruise ship terminal began at Tyee Spit (Figure 2.2); the terminal will begin docking ships during 2007. There have been no other major anthropogenic influences or significant natural ecological variations in the Elk Falls EEM study area since Cycle Three.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 6 Hatfield 2.3 CYCLE FOUR STUDY DESIGN UPDATE

No major changes were made to the Cycle Four study design during field surveys. Any changes to specific methodologies used in Cycle Four intertidal surveys appear in Section 5.0.

Figure 2.3 Mean daily biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and adsorbable organic halides (AOX) in effluent, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, 1985 to 2006.

60 Introduction of secondary effluent 50 treatment

BOD(kg/d) 20

0 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

35 Introduction of 30 secondary effluent treatment 25

15 TSS (kg/d) TSS 10

0 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

3.0 Introduction of 2.5 secondary effluent treatment 2.0

1.5

1.0 AOX(kg/ADMt)

0.5

0.0 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 7 Hatfield 3.0 PROCESS EFFLUENT SUBLETHAL TOXICOLOGICAL TESTING

Summary of Sublethal Toxicity Testing (Winter 2004 through Summer 2006) for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division: • No effect of effluent on survival or growth of topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) larvae was observed. • Effects on echinoderm fertilization were observed at a mean effluent concentration of 35.29% (IC25). • Champia parvula reproduction was affected at a mean effluent concentration of 5.25% (IC25). • Using Environment Canada’s model to predict spatial extent of sublethal effect, maximum potential zones of sublethal effect from the effluent discharge were non-detectable (<2.5m) for fish survival, 7 m for invertebrate fertilization, and 48 m for algal growth; however, this model assumes much less rapid dilution of effluent into the marine receiving environment than actually occurs at Elk Falls.

Federal and provincial government regulations require pulp and paper mills to undertake toxicity testing as part of their EEM programs, to determine potential lethality or inhibitory effects of their effluent on fish and fish habitat. Current EEM regulations require the use of sublethal toxicity tests to help meet the following objectives:

. Contribute to the field program as part of a weight-of-evidence approach;

. Compare process effluent quality between mill types, and measure changes in effluent quality as a result of effluent treatment and process changes; and

. Contribute to the understanding of a mill’s relative contribution to downstream water quality in multiple discharge situations (Environment Canada 2005).

Sublethal toxicity testing for Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four included the following tests, as stipulated in the Technical Guidance Document (Environment Canada 2005):

. Fish early-life-stage development growth and survival tests using topsmelt (Atherinops affinis);

. An invertebrate fertilization toxicity test using an echinoderm (either the sand dollar Dendraster excentricus or the purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus); and

. A plant reproduction toxicity test using the red marine alga Champia parvula.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 8 Hatfield Sublethal toxicity testing was undertaken by Cantest Inc. (formerly Vizon SciTech, Vancouver, BC). Complete reports were submitted to Environment Canada, as required, within 90 days of test completion. A summary of reported endpoints is included herein.

3.1 SUBLETHAL TOXICITY TEST METHODS 3.1.1 General Methods and Definitions EEM guidance requires sublethal toxicological testing of process effluent during winter and summer terms of each year in the three-year cycle, for a total of six test periods. Testing for Cycle Four at Elk Falls was initiated in Winter 2004, and continued until Summer 2006. In Cycle Four, assigned test seasons were not necessarily representative of the date the test was conducted. The first test period of each year (Winter) usually occurred in May. The second test period (Summer) usually occurred between November and February. The apparent discrepancy in the naming of test seasons resulted from delays that occurred in Cycle Three due to scheduled retests and restrictions associated test organism availability. The primary objective for having two test periods per year was to ensure tests were evenly spaced within each cycle. Figures presented in this section provide both the test season name and actual test date to prevent any confusion.

On each test date, a grab sample of effluent was collected by mill personnel, following methods described in the EEM Technical Guidance Document (Environment Canada 2005). Sublethal toxicity testing involved exposure of organisms to a series of effluent dilutions. All sublethal toxicity tests were conducted with controls to assess the background response of test organisms and determine the acceptability of the test using predefined criteria. In addition, in- house cultures were tested with a reference toxicant to monitor the health and sensitivity of the culture.

Sublethal toxicity tests report LC50, EC25 or IC25 endpoints. The EC25 endpoint reported for the fish early-life-stage development test is an estimate of the effective concentration of effluent that causes 25% of embryos to be non-viable. Both algal and invertebrate tests provide IC25 endpoints, which are estimates of the concentration of effluent that causes 25% inhibition of a quantitative biological function, such as reproduction or growth. The invertebrate test also yields an LC50 endpoint, which is the effluent concentration that is lethal to 50% or more of the test organisms. Confidence limits were given for each endpoint where possible.

A zone of effluent mixing was determined by a plume delineation study undertaken for the Cycle One pre-design study (Hatfield Consultants 1994). This survey determined the maximum extent of effluent concentrations of 1% (i.e., 100:1 dilution) or greater potentially present in the receiving water environment. This 1% effluent zone originally was used to conservatively define near-field and far-field study areas for environmental sampling.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 9 Hatfield The 1% effluent zone represents conditions of minimum dilution, maximum extent, and long-term average conditions (i.e., long-term effect of effluent discharge) (Environment Canada 2005), and therefore represents worst-case effluent dilution conditions. For the Elk Falls EEM study, the maximum extent of 1% effluent was defined as a radial distance of approximately 0.25 km from the pulpmill diffusers (Hatfield Consultants 1994).

A maximum potential zone of sublethal effect was calculated for each test species using the geometric mean of the IC25, EC25, or LC50 endpoints and the extent of the 1% effluent concentration zone, as per Environment Canada (2005). This potential zone of sublethal effect describes the downstream area where the effluent concentrations exceeds the geometric mean of the IC25, EC25, or LC50 endpoint, and is the maximum distance from the effluent discharge where a specified effect may be expressed for a test species. This maximum zone of potential sublethal effect was calculated as follows:

Extent of 1% effluent zone (m) Zone (m) = Geometric mean of IC25, EC25 or LC50 endpoints

As discussed in the Results and Discussion section (Section 3.2.4), this model may not be realistic for Elk Falls, given that effluent is discharged though a multi-port diffuser that rapidly dilutes effluent upon release.

3.1.2 Test Methods

General procedures for conducting the topsmelt tests were based on Short-Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to West Coast Marine and Estuarine Organisms, First Edition, EPA /600/R-95/136, August 1995 (US EPA 1995). This 7-day static renewal test uses 9- to 15-day-old topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) larvae to assess the toxicity of a sample by comparing the growth and survival of exposed organisms to those observed in control organisms. The endpoints were effluent concentrations for 25% inhibition of growth measured as dry weight (IC25) relative to control weights, and for 50% survival for the 7 days (LC50).

General procedures for the echinoderm fertilization tests were based on the methodology document Biological Test Method: Fertilization Assay Using Echinoids (Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars), Report EPS 1/RM/27, December 1992, and November 1997 amendments (Environment Canada 1997). The test assesses the fertilization success of an echinoderm using the sand dollar Dendraster excentricus or the purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Male and female gametes were exposed to the test material for 20 minutes; the percentage of eggs fertilized was compared between the controls and the sample concentrations to determine if any significant inhibition of fertilization was observed. The IC25 endpoint is the percent effluent concentration where fertilization is reduced by 25% from control fertilization rates.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 10 Hatfield General procedures for conducting the Champia parvula tests were based on Short-Term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Water to Marine and Estuarine Organisms, Second Edition, EPA-600-4- 91-003, July 1994 (US EPA 1994). The Champia test is a static, non-renewal, marine algal reproduction test where male and female plants were exposed to a test sample for a 48-hr period, followed by a six to eight day recovery period. The inhibition of cystocarp reproduction by 25% by the end of the recovery period was the effluent concentration endpoint (reproduction IC25) used to assess toxicity.

3.2 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, conducted six sublethal toxicity tests from Winter 2004 through Summer 2006. Appendix A1 provides a summary of Elk Falls Cycle Four sublethal toxicity test results, including dose-response plots for all tests conducted. The Summer 2006 echinoderm tests are being redone because the controls failed the minimum survival criteria, these test results will be included in the Cycle Five report.

3.2.1 Topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) Growth and Survival Test Figure 3.1 and Figure 3.2 present a summary of Cycle Four IC25 and LC50 endpoints for the topsmelt growth and survival tests for Elk Falls.

Topsmelt growth IC25 and survival LC50 endpoints were all >100% (i.e., the highest concentration of effluent tested), indicating no detectable toxicity for Cycle Four. These results were comparable to Cycle Three in which there also was no detectable toxicity.

3.2.2 Echinoderm Fertilization Test IC25 fertilization endpoints and confidence limits from Cycle Four tests for sand dollars (Dendraster excentricus) and sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) are summarized in Figure 3.3. Sea urchins were used as test organisms in Winter 2004 and Winter 2005; sand dollars were used in all other tests periods. The Summer 2006 test (test date: December 2006) is being retested due to control failures not meeting the minimum survival requirements, and will be reported to Environment Canada as an Addendum to this report.

Fertilization IC25 endpoints ranged from 13.7 to >100% v/v effluent for a geometric mean of 35.3% 16.5%. Results indicate less toxicity during the Cycle Four test period when compared with Cycle Three endpoints (1.31 to 69.2% v/v effluent). The lowest IC25 (highest toxicity) was reported in the Winter 2005 period; however, this result was not observed in other test species. Furthermore, no process upsets were reported for the same test period. However, four other marine mills in BC also reported low echinoderm IC25s relative to other Cycle

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 11 Hatfield Figure 3.1 Fish early life stage – topsmelt growth IC25 endpoints for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four.

>100 >100 >100 >100 >100 >100 100

) 70

EC25effluent (% 30

0 19-Apr-04 26-Jul-04 31-Jan-05 08-Aug-05 12-Jun-06 16-Oct-06

Winter 2004 Summer 2004 Winter 2005 Summer 2005 Winter 2006 Summer 2006 Sublethal Toxicity Test Period (with actual test date)

Figure 3.2 Fish early life stage – topsmelt survival LC50 endpoints for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four.

>100 >100 >100 >100 >100 >100 100

) 70

LC50(%effluent 30

0 19-Apr-04 26-Jul-04 31-Jan-05 08-Aug-05 12-Jun-06 16-Oct-06

Winter 2004 Summer 2004 Winter 2005 Summer 2005 Winter 2006 Summer 2006 Sublethal Toxicity Test Period (with actual test date)

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 12 Hatfield Figure 3.3 Echinoderm tests - fertilization IC25 endpoints (± 95% confidence limits) for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four.

>100 100

) 70

60 54.2

50 40.2 40

IC25(%effluent 30 18.4 20 13.7

0 19-Apr-04 26-Jul-04 31-Jan-05 08-Aug-05 12-Jun-06

Winter 2004 Summer 2004 Winter 2005 Summer 2005 Winter 2006 Sublethal Toxicity Test Period (with actual test date)

Three and Four test period results. The low IC25s observed may be attributed partly to the test species (purple sea urchin) used for those four mills during that test period. Previous results in Cycles Three and Four indicate that the purple sea urchin, the species used in winter test periods, is likely a more sensitive test species than the sand dollar, which is the test species used for the summer periods.

Overall, IC25 endpoints indicated variable toxicity levels; dose response curves also showed variation in Cycle Four as demonstrated by the Winter 2005 and Summer 2005 dose response curves in Figure 3.4 (Appendix A1). This variation could not be explained by effluent levels during these terms.

Figure 3.4 Dose response curves for Winter 2005 and Summer 2005 for Echinoderms, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four.

January 31, 2005 (Winter 2005) August 8, 2005 (Summer 2005)

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40 (Mean SD) & (Mean SD) & 20 20 % Eggs% Fertilized Eggs% Fertilized

0 0 0.0 4.2 8.4 16.8 33.5 67.0 0.0 4.2 8.4 16.8 33.5 67.0 Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Effluent Concentration (% v/v)

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 13 Hatfield 3.2.3 Champia parvula Reproduction Test

IC25 endpoints and confidence limits for Cycle Four tests for Champia parvula are summarized in Figure 3.5.

Figure 3.5 Champia parvula – reproduction IC25 endpoints (± 95% confidence limits) for Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four.

100

) 70

IC25(%effluent 30

20 8.88 5.15 6.53 10 5.02 4.28 3.27

0 19-Apr-04 26-Jul-04 31-Jan-05 08-Aug-05 12-Jun-06 16-Oct-06

Winter 2004 Summer 2004 Winter 2005 Summer 2005 Winter 2006 Summer 2006 Sublethal Toxicity Test Period (with actual test date)

Reproduction IC25 endpoints ranged from 3.27 to 8.88% v/v effluent, for a geometric mean of 5.25%. Cycle Four results indicated slightly greater toxicity than Cycle Three results (3.71 to 19.9% v/v effluent). Overall, IC25 endpoints were relatively consistent; the Winter 2004 testing period reflected the highest IC25 endpoints for Cycle Four. A minor enrichment response was observed at effluent concentrations up to 2.09% for the Summer 2005 testing period (Appendix A1). No temporal trends in toxicity were evident for the Champia tests over the duration of Cycle Four. Dose-response plots were relatively consistent (Appendix A1).

3.2.4 Potential Zone of Sublethal Effect

The 1% effluent zone for Elk Falls was defined conservatively as extending a distance of approximately 250 m in radius from the effluent diffusers (Hatfield Consultants 1994). Table 3.1 presents geometric means of IC25 endpoints for each test species for all four cycles, and the resulting maximum potential zone of sublethal effect calculated using the 250 m length for the 1% effluent zone.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 14 Hatfield Calculations of geometric means and potential zones of sublethal effects can be found in Appendix A1.

Table 3.1 Maximum potential zone of sublethal effect, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four.

Maximum Potential Zone of IC25/EC25/LC50 Geometric Mean (% v/v) Sublethal Effect Test Species Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle Cycle

One Two Three Four One Two Three Four Atherinops affinis Viability LC50 >68.86% >67.33% >77.86% >100% <4m <4m <3m <2.5m Growth IC25 >54.62% >67.33% >77.86% >100% <5m <4m <3m <2.5m Echinoderm Reproduction 3.06% 26.15% 16.49% 35.29% 82m 10m 15m 7m IC25 Champia parvula Growth IC25 5.22% 19.49% 7.46% 5.25% 48m 13m 34m 48m 1 Based on 1% effluent zone of 250 m.

A maximum potential zone of sublethal effect could not be calculated for topsmelt given no sublethal toxicity was observed for survival or growth. The apparent change of EC25 and IC25 between Cycle One and Cycle Four is a reflection of the dilution water used for the test; during Cycle Three a switch was made from brine to synthetic salt water. The maximum concentration of effluent capable of being tested with brine was approximately 67%, where the maximum concentration of effluent capable of being tested with synthetic salt water is 100%.

A maximum potential zone of sublethal effect decreased for echinoderms from 15 m to 7 m. The Champia parvula zone of potential sublethal effect was 48 m, higher than the Cycle Three value and equivalent to Cycle One.

Effluent concentrations equal to the geometric means of IC25 or LC50 endpoints have not been observed anywhere in the vicinity of the Elk Falls diffuser (Hatfield Consultants 1994; 1997). Following two dye studies in the area, Hodgins and Knoll (1991) found that the highest concentration of effluent was 1.69% at a distance of 42 m away from the diffuser. The highest concentration of effluent determined by Dwernychuk (1990), using adsorbable organic halides (AOX) as a marker, was <0.3% of release at all sites surrounding the mill outfall. These concentrations were below the lowest geometric mean (IC25 of 7.5%) calculated for Champia.

Figure 3.6 presents the rate of effluent dilution implied by the Environment Canada (2005) zone-of-effect model. Using a conservative maximum extent of 1% effluent of 250 m, this model assumes that effluent would be diluted to 50% of release concentration at 5 m from the outfall, to 20% of release at 12.5 m, and to 5% of release at 50 m from the outfall. However, actual dilution of Elk Falls

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 15 Hatfield effluent occurs more rapidly than this, mainly due to its discharge through a multi-port diffuser, which was designed to maximize initial dilution and dispersion of effluent in the marine receiving environment.

Figure 3.6 Dilution of Elk Falls effluent in the marine receiving environment assumed by the Environment Canada (2005) maximum-zone-of-effect model.

20 Percent(%) effluent

0 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 Distance downstream (m)

3.3 CONCLUSIONS

Toxicity testing results contribute to the overall weight-of-evidence used to assess potential environmental effects of effluent discharges. Laboratory toxicity test results may not accurately predict toxicity in natural receiving environments given they involve single species that may or may not be found in the study area, and do not consider other factors such as characteristics of the receiving environment.

Effluent from the Elk Falls diffusers likely does not affect the receiving environment, given the very small zone of predicted sublethal effect near the diffuser (i.e., within a 48 m radius). No effect of effluent was observed on topsmelt survival or growth during Cycle Four. Maximum potential zones of sublethal effect for both echinoderms and Champia were within the range of observed values from previous EEM Cycles, suggesting relatively consistent effluent quality since sublethal toxicity testing began in 1993.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 16 Hatfield 4.0 FISH TISSUE SURVEY

Summary of Fish Tissue Survey for Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four: • Given the localized extent of effluent concentrations greater than 1% in Discovery Passage (i.e., 100 m from the outfall), a fish survey was not required for EEM, as per Environment Canada technical guidance. • Chlorinated dioxins and furans were monitored in biota within the receiving environment during Cycle Four as a requirement by Health Canada and Environment Canada (i.e., separate from EEM); results of the most recent monitoring program (i.e., 2006) are summarized herein. In 2006, Total TEQ concentrations in crabs were below Health Canada consumption guidelines (30 pg/g hepatopancreas) at all stations, with the exception of those measured at station C5 (Gowlland Harbour) across from the mill (38.2 pg/g). • A fish tainting survey was not required for Cycle Four, given no reports related to Elk Falls effluent were received by public officials in recent years.

4.1 FISH SURVEY

Mills are not required to evaluate the effects of effluent on fish populations if the effluent is diluted to a concentration of less than 1% of release within 250 m of the discharge point (Environment Canada 2005). At Elk Falls, the 1% zone of effluent concentration is within 100 m of the diffuser (Hatfield Consultants 1994); therefore, at 250 m from the outfall, effluent is diluted to a concentration less than 1% Figure 4.1). Consequently, a fish survey was not required for Cycle Four at Elk Falls.

4.2 TISSUE ANALYSES: DIOXINS AND FURANS

Mills that use or have used chlorine bleaching, and continue to detect dioxins and furans in edible portions of fish caught within the receiving environment, may be required to monitor for these contaminants on a regular basis. The decision to test for dioxins and furans is based whether concentrations exceed Health Canada consumption guidelines of 15 pg T4CDD (tetrachlorodibenzodioxin) Toxic Equivalents (TEQ)/g wet weight of muscle tissue and 30 pg/g of liver tissue.

Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division conducted annual dioxin and furan monitoring programs on fish tissues, as per Environment Canada directives, between 1990 and 2004. Since monitoring began, concentrations of dioxins and furans in crabs in most areas near Campbell River have demonstrated a marked decrease. As a result, fisheries closures in the area were revised (Figure 4.2), and in 2005 the frequency of the monitoring program was reduced to a three-year cycle synchronized with the EEM program. Complete data and analyses for all dioxin and furan monitoring programs are available in reports submitted to Environment Canada. A brief summary of the 2006 Elk Falls dioxin /furan monitoring study (Mehlenbacher and Davies 2006) appears below.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 17 Hatfield Figure 4.1 Maximum concentrations of pulpmill effluent in Discovery Passage recorded during a dye study (measurements taken during slack tide), 1990.

(From Hatfield Consultants Ltd. 1994, modified from Hodgins & Knoll 1991.)

K:\Data\Project\EF1128\GIS\_MXD\EF1128_C_MAX_2007MAR27.mxd Figure 4.2 Estimated dispersion of effluent from Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division1 and 2006 fisheries closures in Discovery Passage. 125°30'0"W 125°15'0"W 125°0'0"W

East Stuart Thurlow Sonora Island Island Island

135 Owen Bay

135 Chonat Raza Island Bay Maurelle Elk Island Bay 135

i Kanish s

Redonda 50°15'0"N c o

50°15'0"N Bay v Island e r y

a s s a g e Quadra Deepwater Island Read Bay Island

Plumper Seymour Bay ? Narrows

Menzies ? Bay Cortes Island 100

S Duncan Gowlland u ! t i Marina Bay Harbour l

C D Island Catalyst Paper Corporation h i s a Elk Falls Division c n C o Quathiaski n am v e p e l be r Cove ll R y . P a s s a 0 Campbell River g e

Cape 50°0'0"N 50°0'0"N Mudge Hernando Island Mitlenatch Vancouver Island Savory Island Island

125°30'0"W 125°15'0"W 125°0'0"W

LEGEND Closed to commercial crab fishing with a Crab hepatopancreas crab hepatopancreas consumption advisory # consumption limit for non-commercial crab fisheries (grams/week)

Effluent Concentration Field Approximating the Maximum Extent of 1% Effluent Estimated Far-field Extent of Effluent t 02.5 5 10 Km Estimated Direction of Effluent Movement 1:325,000 1 Modified from Hatfield Consultants Ltd. (1994). Projection: Albers Equal Area - NAD83

K:\Data\Project\EF1128\GIS\_MXD\EF1128_B_Dispersion_2007MAR27.mxd Dungeness crab were collected at a total of five stations in the Elk Falls area: C2 (North Gowlland Harbour), C4 (Duncan Bay), C5 (South Gowlland Harbour), C10 (Menzies Bay), and C22 (Owen Bay). The required numbers of adult male Dungeness crab were captured at C5 (N=14), C10 (N=7), and C22 (N=14). At C2 and C4, however, only four and three adult male Dungeness were captured, respectively.

In 2006, concentrations of 2,3,7,8-T4CDD in crab hepatopancreas ranged from 0.61 pg/g (C2) to 1.51 pg/g (C5). 2006 T4CDD levels in crabs at stations C2 (0.61 pg/g), C10 (0.75 pg/g), and C22 (0.78 pg/g) were the lowest ever recorded since monitoring began in the area during the 1990s, and concentrations at stations C4 (0.69 pg/g) and C5 (1.51 pg/g) were among some of the lowest (Figure 4.3).

2,3,7,8-T4CDF in crabs during 2006 ranged from 26.8 pg/g (C2) to 58.2 pg/g (C5). Concentrations at all stations decreased relative to 2004, but remained within the consistently fluctuating range of levels recorded in recent years. 2,3,7,8-T4CDF at station C22 was the lowest recorded since monitoring began at the station in 1994 (Figure 4.4).

2,3,7,8-T4CDD TEQ concentrations in crabs during 2006 were lowest at C2 (14.1 pg/g) and C4 (14.2 pg/g), the two stations nearest the mill (Figure 4.5). Across from the mill in Gowlland Harbour (station C5), TEQ concentrations were the highest observed in the area (average 38.2 pg/g), and were above Health Canada’s consumption advisory threshold of 30 pg/g for hepatopancreas tissue. Levels at this station have historically often been greater than the consumption advisory, although concentrations have been inconsistent and in a state of fluctuation since their initial drop in 1991. Fluctuating TEQ concentrations have also been observed in crabs at all other stations during recent years. However, 2006 TEQ levels at these other stations were lower than during the preceding sampling year and fell below the consumption advisory. TEQ levels in crabs at most of these stations have been below the consumption advisory for several years, including those caught in north Gowlland Harbour (since 2001), Menzies Bay (since 1998), and Duncan Bay (since 1995).

4.3 TAINTING EVALUATION

No reports of fish tainting related to Elk Falls effluent have been received by public officials in recent years; therefore, tainting evaluations were not conducted for Cycle Four.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 20 Hatfield Figure 4.3 Elk Falls Dungeness crab hepatopancreas 2,3,7,8 T4CDD, 1990 to 2006.

125°30'0"W 125°15'0"W East Island C2 Thurlow Sonora 12.00 12.00 C4 Island Island

10.00 10.00 10.0

8.00 8.00 7.8 Owen C22

Bay 6.30 #* 6.00 6.00

4.00 3.40 3.30 4.00 2.8 Chonat 2.6 pg/g (wet weight) (wet pg/g pg/g (wet pg/gweight) (wet 1.90 1.80 1.70 1.7 1.60 1.6

I 1.50 1.50

2.00 1.4 Bay 1.30 2.00 1.3 1.3 1.20 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.1 1.1 0.94 0.90 Elk 0.85 0.61 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.63 0.7 Maurelle 0.6

Bay NC NCAP NC NC Island NCAP NC NC NC NC NC D 0.00 0.00 i s c o

v e 1990 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 1997 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 1990 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 r y

P Kanish 50°15'0"N Year Year a

50°15'0"N s Bay s a g

Quadra 12.00 C5 12.00 C10 Island Deepwater Read Bay 10.00 10.00

Island 9.10 Plumper 8.00 8.00 Bay

Seymour 6.00 6.10 6.00

Narrows 4.90 NC

3.48 4.00 3.40

4.00 3.30

C10 #* weight) (wet pg/g 2.50 Menzies 2.49 2.20 2.10 2.10 pg/g (wet weight) (wet pg/g 2.00 1.76 1.60 Bay 1.60

2.00 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.30

2.00 1.22 1.26 1.20 1.20 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.00 1.00 0.86 0.80 0.75 NC NC NC NC NC NC NC NC C2 0.00 NC NC NC 0.00 #* Gowlland Island Duncan

Bay Gowlland 1990 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2000 2001 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2006 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1999 2000 2000 2001 2001 2002 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Harbour Year C4 #* Marina Year #* C5 Island Quathiaski C Catalyst Paper Corporation amp Cove bel Elk Falls Division l R.

Campbell River C22 12.00 Vancouver Island 10.00 50°0'0"N 50°0'0"N 125°30'0"W 125°15'0"W 8.00

6.00 LEGEND 4.00 Mill NC Not Collected pg/g (wet weight) 2.10 1.90 1.60 1.53 1.50

2.00 1.40 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.25 1.20 1.20 1.10

NCAP Not Captured 0.90 0.86 0.80 #* 2006 Crab Site t 0.70 02.5 5 10 0.00 NC Km 1:250,000 1994 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2006 Projection: Albers Equal Area - NAD83 Year K:\Data\Project\EF1128\GIS\_MXD\EF1128_D1_2006CRABTCDD_2007MAR27.mxd

Figure 4.4 Elk Falls Dungeness crab hepatopancreas 2,3,7,8 T4CDF, 1990 to 2006.

125°30'0"W 125°15'0"W East Island Thurlow Sonora Island Island 800 800 700 C2 700 C4 640

600 600 570 550 Owen C22 500 500 Bay 360 #* 400 350 400 310

300 270 300 190

200 170 200 140 110 100 100 100 pg/g weight) (wet 87 85 88 80 82 81 pg/g weight) (wet 82 73 67 52 53

56 100 47.6 Chonat 100 50 39 35 30 29 20 24 23 NCAP NC NC NC NC NC Bay I NC NCAP NC NC Elk 0 0 Maurelle Bay Island D

i 1990 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 s 1990 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 1997 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 c o Year v Year e r y

P Kanish 50°15'0"N a

50°15'0"N s Bay s a g

Quadra C10 Island 800 C5 800 Deepwater Read 720 Bay 700 Island 700 600 600 Plumper

Bay 500 470 500

Seymour 400 400

Narrows NC 300 300 250 170 200 160 200 130 130 118 110 95 95.5

#* 92 80 74 pg/g (wet weight) pg/g (wet 66 C10 68 65.60 63 61 60.2 58 49 50.8 50 51 100 100 48 46 Menzies 45 40 38 38.10 32 33 pg/g (wetweight) NC NC NC NC Bay 0 0 NC NC NC NC NC NC NC 1990 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2000 2001 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2006 C2 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1999 2000 2000 2001 2001 2002 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 #* Gowlland Island Duncan Year Year Bay Gowlland Harbour C4 #* Marina #* C5 Island Quathiaski C amp Cove bel Catalyst Paper Corporation l R. Elk Falls Division Campbell River Vancouver Island 800 C22

50°0'0"N 700 50°0'0"N 125°30'0"W 125°15'0"W 600 500 LEGEND 400 NC Not Collected 300 Mill 200 110 pg/g (wet weight) (wet pg/g 75 71 67 66 58 53.8 52 52

100 49 48 44 44 38.9 37 38 NCAP Not Captured 29.3 24.3 #* 2006 Crab Site NC t 0 02.5 5 10 Km 1994 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2006 1:250,000 Year Projection: Albers Equal Area - NAD83

K:\Data\Project\EF1128\GIS\_MXD\EF1128_D2_2006CRABTCDF_2007MAR27.mxd

Figure 4.5 Elk Falls Dungeness crab hepatopancreas 2,3,7,8 T4CDD TEQs, 1990 to 2006.

125°30'0"W 125°15'0"W East Island Thurlow Sonora Island Island 140 C2 140 C4

120 120 105.8 98.9

100 95.8 Owen C22 100 94.0 Bay

#* 80 76.1 80 68 62.0 60 60 58.3 46.8 42.4 Chonat 40 39.1

I 32 40 31.1

Bay 30.5 26.5 27.4 pg/g weight) (wet

Elk pg/g weight) (wet 22.2 22.6 22.8 21.5

Maurelle 20.5 19.6 18.6 19.4 18.7 19.0

Bay 17.5 15.1 14.10 Island 20 20 14.0 14.2 11.6

D 10.9 10.1 10.8

i s NC NCAP c NC NC NCAP NC NC NC NC NC o 0 0 v e r y

P Kanish 50°15'0"N a 1990 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 1997 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 1990 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 50°15'0"N s Bay s a g Year Year e

Quadra C5 140 140.0 C10 Island 132.7 Deepwater Read Bay Island 120 120.0 Plumper 100 100.0 Bay 92.1

Seymour 80 80.0 72 40.7

Narrows 68 64.0 63.7

60 60.0 57.4 49 .4 46.6 #* 45.3

C10 42.9 Menzies 40.8 34.6 33.5 40 33.8 40.0 31.3 Bay 31.1 29.6 27.4 26.8 26.6 pg/g (wet weight) 24.8 25 22.6 21.6 22.0 22.0 pg/g (wet weight) (wet pg/g 20.0 19.5 18.1 17.6 16 20 20.0 14.0 NC NC NC NC C2 NC NC NC NC NC NC NC #* Gowlland Island Duncan 0 0.0 Bay Gowlland Harbour #* Marina 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1999 2000 2000 2001 2001 2002 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 C4 1990 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2000 2001 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2006 #* C5 Island Year Year Quathiaski C amp Cove bel Catalyst Paper Corporation l R. Elk Falls Division Campbell River 140 C22 Vancouver 120 Island

50°0'0"N 100 50°0'0"N 125°30'0"W 125°15'0"W 80

LEGEND 60

Note: Total TEQ calculations from the year 2000 43.4 42.5 42.2 40.7

Mill onward have employed the new Toxic 40 34.9 31.9 31.8 29.3 28.7 27.8 27 pg/g weight) (wet Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for dioxins 26 24.3 22.9 22.9 19.8 and furans as revised by the World Health 20 18.2 18 #* 2006 Crab Site Organization (Van den Berg et al., 1998).

t NC 02.5 5 10 0 NC Not Collected Km NCAP Not Captured 1:250,000 1994 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2006 Projection: Albers Equal Area - NAD83 Year K:\Data\Project\EF1128\GIS\_MXD\EF1128_D3_2006CRABTEQ_2007MAR27.mxd

5.0 INTERTIDAL INVERTEBRATE SURVEY

Summary of Intertidal Invertebrate Survey for Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four: • The Elk Falls intertidal invertebrate community quadrat survey examined organisms in the mid-intertidal zone using a gradient design of 13 stations throughout Discovery Passage, from ~10 km south of the mill (near Cape Mudge) to ~7 km north of the mill (near the entrance to Seymour Narrows). • Intertidal communities were examined quantitatively within four replicate quadrats per station; macrophyte communities were examined qualitatively. • Supporting environmental data also were recorded/collected at each station, including water quality (i.e., temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate) and physical habitat characteristics (i.e. substrate, aspect, slope). • Distance from the pulpmill diffuser was used as the gradient of effluent exposure for the invertebrate study; regression analyses were used to detect effects along the gradient. • Statistical power of the intertidal invertebrate study was sufficient to detect an effect along the effluent exposure gradient. • Intertidal invertebrate communities near the mill did not exhibit significant effects related to distance from the pulpmill diffuser. • No supporting water quality variables exhibited significant relationships with distance from the pulpmill diffuser. • Diversity, richness, and evenness of intertidal invertebrate communities near the pulpmill diffuser were within the mid to high range of values identified throughout the study area; these results indicated no overall differences between the health of communities near the mill and those farther along the gradient. • Densities were somewhat lower (not significantly) at stations nearest the mill, and Bray- Curtis indices showed community composition at stations nearest the mill to be dissimilar from composition at “reference” stations at the north and south ends of the gradient; communities near to the mill were dominated by amphipods and limpets, while reference stations were dominated by limpets and shore crabs, with few to no amphipods. However, given the overall health of communities near the mill, and the results of cluster analysis showing communities at northern “reference” stations as being distinct from those at most other stations in the passage, differences in composition and abundance between the two areas were likely attributable to natural differences in habitat. • Invertebrate communities at southmost station EFI-18A (Tsakwaluten) were different from those throughout the rest of the study area, due to natural habitat differences.

5.1 INTRODUCTION

In June 2006, a study of intertidal invertebrate communities was conducted in Discovery Passage, in the vicinity of Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division. This program was undertaken to satisfy federal Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) Cycle Four requirements and was carried out according to the Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four design document (Hatfield Consultants 2006). Quadrat surveys were conducted along the rocky shores of the passage at varying distances from the mill in order to examine spatial differences in intertidal invertebrate communities.

Prior to 1977, when surface effluent outfalls to Discovery Passage were still operating, qualitative intertidal studies were performed in the vicinity of the mill. Shorelines were found to be relatively devoid of macrophyte cover, and intertidal

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 27 Hatfield invertebrates exhibited low abundance and diversity. Following installation of the submarine diffuser in 1977, intertidal communities rapidly improved. These pre-EEM surveys are summarized in more detail in Hatfield Consultants (1994).

Quadrat surveys of rocky shore communities in Discovery Passage, similar to those performed for EEM Cycle Four, were undertaken during Cycles Two and Three (Hatfield Consultants 2000, 2004). In these studies, intertidal invertebrate communities were found to be similar among stations between low, mid, and high intertidal zones.

In Cycle One, in addition to the intertidal quadrat surveys, Fucus epifauna were sampled using a method based on Levings (1976), which involved placement of measured amounts of cleaned Fucus in mesh bags at sampling stations throughout Discovery Passage over a sufficient length of time to allow colonization of resident epifauna. Data from recovered traps suggested that Fucus epifauna communities in Discovery Passage were similar, and contained abundant and diverse fauna. However, the loss of traps from several stations and the resulting low number of samples limited conclusions. Epifauna were not examined during Cycle Two near Elk Falls.

Fucus epifauna were re-examined in Cycle Three using methods similar to those used in Cycle One near Elk Falls. Results of this study indicated that epifaunal communities were not likely affected by outfall discharges, and any spatial differences observed were likely the result of natural habitat variation throughout Discovery Passage. Cycle Three was also designed to examine potential effects on 2- brown algae associated with discharges of chlorate (ClO3 ) from the Elk Falls mill. Therefore, in addition to the intertidal quadrat survey, the Cycle Three program also incorporated assessment of biomass and taxonomic richness of intertidal algal macrophytes in Discovery Passage. Spatial variations observed during the Cycle Three study were likely related to the proximity of macrophyte communities to the Strait of Georgia, rather than proximity to the mill outfall.

The methods, results, and interpretations of intertidal surveys conducted during Cycle Four (i.e., summer 2006) are reported herein. This section follows the reporting guidelines recommended by Environment Canada for Cycle Four interpretive reports (Environment Canada 2005).

5.2 METHODS 5.2.1 Modifications to Sampling Design No major changes to the sampling design were made relative to the Cycle Four design document (Hatfield Consultants 2006).

5.2.2 Station Selection Reference and far-field areas used in previous EEM Cycles that were north of Seymour Narrows and south of Cape Mudge were found to be naturally biologically distinct from other stations in Discovery Passage. Therefore, during

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 28 Hatfield Cycle Four, the station gradient was designed to be more localized (i.e., stations were placed closer to the mill) than the one used during previous cycles.

Intertidal communities were sampled at 13 mid-intertidal stations in Discovery Passage along a localized gradient extending north and south from the Elk Falls mill (Figure 5.1, Table 5.1). The study area extended from Cape Mudge (approximately 10 km south of the pulpmill diffuser) up to the southern entrance of Seymour Narrows (approximately 7 km north of the pulpmill diffuser).

Nine stations sampled during the Cycle Three intertidal quadrat survey were re-sampled during the Cycle Four survey (i.e., EFI-1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 15). Three new stations were added (i.e., EFI-7A, 8A, and 9A) to increase sampling resolution between Seymour Narrows and Cape Mudge. Station EFI-18A was also added due to interest from the Cape Mudge Band in having a monitoring location in this area.

Table 5.1 Sampling station characteristics, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four intertidal survey, summer 2006.

Station Location Distance Sampling 1 Sampling Station to Diffuser Date Latitude Longitude (km) (mm/dd/yy) Northwest Gradient EFI-1 (North Outfall) 50°04’34.4” 125°16’56.9” 0.4 06/23/06 EFI-8A (Across from May Isl.)2 50°05’34.2” 125°15’40.5” 2.0 06/24/06 EFI-4 (Middle Point) 50°05’26.9” 125°18’40.5” 2.7 06/23/06 EFI-9 (Opposite Race Point) 50°06’54.0” 125°17’53.7” 4.2 06/24/06 EFI-10 (Race Point) 50°06’48.7” 125°20’08.4” 6.1 06/23/06 EFI-9A (Near Seymour Entrance)2 50°07’58.0” 125°19’12.6” 6.7 06/24/06 Southeast Gradient EFI-2 (South Outfall) 50°04’29.4” 125°16’45.7” 0.5 06/23/06 EFI-5 (Orange Point) 50°04’11.4” 125°16’17.2” 1.2 06/23/06 EFI-8 (Steep Island) 50°04’40.4” 125°15’06.1” 2.0 06/24/06 EFI-7 (April Point) 50°03’38.4” 125°14’05.9” 3.8 06/24/06 EFI-7A (Quathiaski)2 50°01’57.3” 125°12’39.0” 7.2 06/24/06 EFI-15 (Campbell River South) 50°00’48.0” 125°13’55.9” 8.1 06/24/06 EFI-18A (Tsakwaluten Wharf)2 50°00’13.4” 125°11’49.3” 10.2 06/24/06

1 Shortest distance by water. 2 New station for EEM Cycle Four.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 29 Hatfield Figure 5.1 Locations of intertidal invertebrate quadrat survey stations, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four. 125°15'0"W

LEGEND Maurelle Island Waterbody

Kanish 50°15'0"N 50°15'0"N Bay Stream Network

i s c o v e r Pulpmill y

a s s a g e .! Intertidal Survey Station

Depth (metres) Deepwater Bay Intertidal 0 - 20

Plumper 20 - 50 Bay Quadra 50 - 100 Island 100 - 150 Seymour Narrows 150 - 200 .! EFI-9A 200 - 250

Menzies Bay EFI-9 .! .! EFI-10 EFI-8A May Island

S .! u t .! Diffuser EFI-8 i l EFI-4 C

Duncan a

n Bay ! n . e

.! l EFI-1 .! Gowlland .! Harbour Catalyst Paper Corporation EFI-7 Elk Falls Division .! EFI-2 EFI-5 D i s Quathiaski Cove c C o am v pbe e ll R r ive y r P a s s EFI-7A a .! g e Campbell River

EFI-15 .! Vancouver ! EFI-18A t . 01 2 4

Island 50°0'0"N

50°0'0"N Km 1:150,000 Cape Mudge Projection: Albers Equal Area - NAD83

K:\Data\Project\EF1128\GIS\_MXD\EF1128_E_Intertidal_2007MAR27.mxd 125°15'0"W 5.2.3 Field Sampling Procedures 5.2.3.1 Intertidal Quadrat Surveys The mid-intertidal zone, which is covered by water during every tide, was identified by the presence of rockweed (Fucus gardneri). The June 2006 field survey was timed to take advantage of lowest annual tides in Discovery Passage.

Invertebrate communities in the mid-intertidal zone were sampled at each station using a 0.25 m2 quadrat (Figure 5.2 and Figure 5.3). When selecting precise station locations, an effort was made to sample in areas of similar substrate and slope. Four subsamples (i.e., quadrats) were collected at each of the 13 stations, for a total of 52 samples; each quadrat was placed over-top the substrate in the mid-intertidal zone along a transect running parallel to the shore. Sampling quadrats were located on either side of the transect line; location of sampling along the transect line was recorded.

A visual assessment of macroscopic flora and fauna within each quadrat was carried out, and details were recorded on substrate type, enumeration of invertebrates, and estimated composition of the plant community. Epiphytic organisms were included in the invertebrate assessment, as well as those under rocks, and any benthos encountered in the upper 2 to 5 cm of soft substrates (i.e., sand or mud). All organisms were identified, in the field, to the most feasible level of taxonomic details, and enumerated. Level of taxonomic detail achievable in the field usually varied with the size of organisms and the morphometric similarity of individual species within larger taxonomic groups. For example, amphipods, which are small and difficult to discriminate by species outside of a laboratory setting, typically were not identified beyond Order.

Organisms were removed from the sampling quadrat after identification and enumeration in order to prevent double-counting. Rocks and loose substrate were removed to ensure exposure and enumeration of all organisms, and were returned to the quadrat area upon completion of the examination.

Field identifications were aided through use of various keys and field guides listed in Section 7.0. Voucher specimens of organisms that could not be readily identified in the field were collected for later examination.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 31 Hatfield Figure 5.2 Quadrat survey of the mid-intertidal zone, station EFI-7 (April Point), showing the Elk Falls pulpmill in the background, June 2006.

Figure 5.3 Typical mid-intertidal zone quadrat, station EFI-7A (Quathiaski), showing Fucus, Porphyra, and ulvoid macrophytes, June 2006.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 32 Hatfield 5.2.3.2 Supporting Environmental Variables Water Quality Water was sampled at each of the 13 intertidal stations during the June 2006 survey. Water samples were collected near the surface (i.e., ~0.5 m depth) for analysis of nitrate (NO3) and salinity. Sample bottles were triple-rinsed with ambient seawater prior to sample collection, kept near 4°C during shipping, and delivered within 72 hours to ALS Environmental (Vancouver, BC) for analysis.

In addition, in situ measurements were taken at each station for temperature (using a thermometer) and dissolved oxygen (using a LaMotte Winkler titration kit).

Habitat Description Detailed habitat information was collected at each sampling station, including location, aspect, slope, distance from the high tide line, exposure, primary and secondary substrate type, and substrate embeddedness.

5.2.4 Analytical Approach 5.2.4.1 Data Handling Intertidal community data were entered into an electronic spreadsheet by the consulting taxonomist, who checked for transcription errors. All other data were transcribed from field data sheets or laboratory reports and checked by Hatfield staff.

Life stages were not reported; therefore, all invertebrates were considered adults and were included in the analyses.

As per instructions in the EEM Technical Guidance Document (Environment Canada 2005), meiofauna (i.e., nematodes and harpactacoid copepods) were excluded from both the data set. Incidental species (e.g., fish and krill) present in the mid-intertidal zone during low tides and colonial organisms exhibiting high abundances that tended to dominate the dataset (e.g., barnacles and spirorbid polychaetes) were also excluded from the data, prior to analysis.

5.2.4.2 Community Metrics Five community metrics were calculated to describe invertebrate community composition at each station: density, taxa richness, Simpson’s diversity index, evenness, and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity coefficients. Descriptions of each metric are presented below and are further described in the Technical Guidance Document (Environment Canada 2005).

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 33 Hatfield Density

Invertebrate density was reported as number of individuals per m2, using a conversion factor of 4 x each 0.25 m2 quadrat. Individual densities were reported per subsample (i.e., quadrat), and station densities were calculated using the average of all subsamples.

Richness Taxonomic richness was reported as the “number of different taxa” by counting the number of families (or higher levels, if family not available). Richness was calculated for each station replicate (i.e., quadrat) by counting the number of taxa present in each subsample. Station richness was calculated by counting the number of taxa present in all subsamples combined.

Simpson’s Diversity Index Simpson’s diversity index (D) takes into account both the abundance patterns and taxonomic richness of the community. This is calculated by determining, for each taxonomic group at a site, the proportion of individuals that it contributes to the total at the site. This diversity index can range from 0 to 1, with a value of 1 representing the highest diversity. Simpson’s diversity index was calculated as follows:

s 2 D = 1−  []pi i=1

where: D = Simpson’s diversity index;

th pi = the proportion of the i taxon at the station; and S = number of taxa (family) in the sample.

Evenness Index Evenness was quantified for each station following Smith and Wilson (1996). The index takes into consideration the abundance of each taxon in proportion to total abundance, and the taxonomic richness at the station. Evenness was calculated as follows:

s 2 E = 1/  []pi /S i=1

where: E = Evenness; th pi = proportion of i taxon at the station; and S = number of taxa in the sample.

A maximum value of “1” indicates entirely equal abundances of each taxon, and a minimum value of “0” indicates entirely unequal abundances.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 34 Hatfield Bray-Curtis Dissimilarity Coefficients Bray-Curtis dissimilarity coefficients were calculated in order to assess similarities between community composition at individual stations along the gradient and a reference median. The Bray-Curtis dissimilarity coefficient is a distance measurement that reaches a maximum value of “1” if community assemblage at a site is entirely different from the reference median, and a minimum of “0” if a site is identical to the reference median (Bray and Curtis 1957). The three stations located nearest the southern entrance of Seymour Narrows (i.e., EFI-9, EFI-9a, and EFI-10) and southern station EFI-15 were used to calculate the reference median, and were selected according to the following criteria:

. far-field distance from the pulpmill diffuser; and

. similar habitat to most of the ‘exposure’ stations to minimize the confounding effects of natural dissimilarities.

Dissimilarity coefficients for the reference median and individual stations were calculated using SYSTAT 10 (SPSS 2000).

The Bray-Curtis index was calculated as follows:

n  yi1 − yi2 i=1 B − C = n  ()yi1 + yi2 i=1

where: B-C = Bray-Curtis distance between sites 1 and 2; yi1 = count for species I at site 1; yi2 = count for species I at site 2; and n = total number of species present at the two sites.

5.2.4.3 Statistical Analyses Analyses were conducted using Excel 2000 and SYSTAT 10 (SPSS 2000).

Summary Statistics The following summary statistics were calculated using individual subsample data for invertebrate density and richness at each survey station: minimum, maximum, mean, median, standard deviation (SD), and standard error (SE). Total taxa richness at each station also was calculated.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 35 Hatfield Regression Analyses Linear regression was used to determine whether a significant linear relationship existed between distance from the pulpmill diffuser and intertidal invertebrate community metrics. Linear regressions were also conducted to determine if there was a relationship between distance, shoreline slope, and supporting environmental variables, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and nitrate.

Regressions were performed using untransformed, log10-transformed, and ranked data and the results were compared to determine which model was closest to meeting the following assumptions:

. Equal variances: residual plots were created and examined to assess the evenness (homoscedasticity) of distributions of residual error estimates versus the values predicted by the model.

. Normal distribution of data: residual plots were evaluated for normality, and the Studentized residual generated by SYSTAT was used to evaluate for the presence of outliers.

. Independent observations: the Durbin-Watson statistic generated by SYSTAT as a measure of autocorrelation was used to determine whether or not observations were independent from one another.

If more than one model met the assumptions, the model with the best fit was selected.

All tests were conducted at a significance level of α = 0.10, in accordance with the EEM Technical Guidance Document (Environment Canada 2005). When a p-value 0.10 was observed, this was interpreted as an effect.

Power Analysis Post-hoc power analysis was conducted to verify the ability of regression analyses to detect an “effect”, which for the purposes of Cycle Four EEM is defined as a relationship between an invertebrate community metric and distance from the pulpmill diffuser with a correlation coefficient (r) of at least | 0.707 | (Environment Canada 2005, Cohen 1988). This “effect” is equivalent to ±2 times the standard deviation of the reference mean.

Statistical power is a function of sample size (n), variability and magnitude of difference (i.e., effect size) one wishes to detect. Regression analyses were considered to have sufficient power when P 0.90.

Power analysis was conducted using GPOWER (Faul and Erdfelder 1992).

Correlations Spearman’s rank correlations were used to evaluate relationships among intertidal invertebrate community metrics, among supporting environmental variables, and between metrics and environmental variables. Correlations with

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 36 Hatfield correlation coefficients (rs) greater than the critical rs (two-tailed, α = 0.10) were indicative of statistically significant relationships. Moderate correlations were defined as those ranging from | 0.50 | to | 0.75 | . Strong correlations were defined as those ranging from | 0.75 | to | 1.00 | .

Cluster Analysis Cluster analysis is a multivariate procedure for detecting natural groupings in data. It is based on the relative densities of taxa at each station; taxa that are more abundant tend to influence the cluster analysis more than rare taxa. Cluster analysis was conducted on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity coefficients created from density data for individual taxa. These Bray-Curtis dissimilarity coefficients differ from those described in the preceding section in that they include pair-wise comparisons of all stations, rather than being restricted to comparisons with the reference median. Cluster analysis was conducted using hierarchical clustering with average linkages in SYSTAT 10 (SPSS 2000).

5.3 RESULTS

Detailed intertidal invertebrate abundance data are presented in Appendix A2. Table 5.2 summarizes the density, taxonomic richness, diversity, evenness, and Bray-Curtis dissimilarities for communities enumerated using quadrat surveys near Elk Falls in June 2006.

5.3.1 Density and Community Composition Figure 5.4 presents mean density of adult invertebrates collected from each intertidal station (n=4 quadrats / station). Densities of communities nearest the mill were within the lower range of densities observed throughout the passage. Throughout the rest of the study area, however, densities were highly variable and did not exhibit trends with distance from the pulpmill diffuser. Stations to the north of the diffuser had overall slightly higher densities than those to the south, with the exception of station EFI-18A (near Cape Mudge) where densities were much higher than at all the other southern stations. The highest mean invertebrate density was observed at EFI-4 (Middle Point) 2.7 km north of the mill, and the lowest density was observed at EFI-2 (South Outfall).

Once nematodes, harpactacoids, barnacles, and spirorbid polychaetes were excluded (as per technical guidance) a total of 50 taxa were identified in the mid-intertidal zone. Table 5.3 presents the most populous taxa enumerated within the entire mid-intertidal study area, in decreasing order of adult density. The 16 most abundant organisms enumerated accounted for 96% of the total density of all 50 organisms identified throughout the study area.

Dominant organisms in the mid-intertidal zone included the plate limpet (Tectura scutum), unidentified amphipods, green and purple shore crabs (Hemigrapsus oregonesnsis and H. nudus, respectively), unidentified hermit crabs, and the Oregon pill bug (Gnorimospheroma oregonense). Most of these common species were found at most or all stations surveyed.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 37 Hatfield Plate limpets and amphipods were among the two most abundant species at several stations throughout the passage (i.e., EFI-1, 2, 5, 7A, 8, 9A). Plate limpets were most dominant at northern farfield stations EFI-4, EFI-8A, EFI-9, and EFI-10; conversely, amphipod counts at these stations were relatively low compared to most other stations in the study area. In contrast, at nearby northmost station EFI-9A, amphipods were highly dominant and counts of plate limpets were relatively lower. Green shore crabs were more dominant than these other two species at stations EFI-7 and EFI-15.

The dominant species at southmost station EFI-18A (Tsakwaluten Wharf) were clearly different than at all other stations; plate limpets, which were one of the most abundant species throughout the rest of the passage, were absent in quadrats at EFI-18A. The intertidal invertebrate community at this station was instead dominated by amphipods and purple shore crabs, more so than at most other stations. Communities at the opposite (northmost) end of the passage at station EFI-9A (near the entrance to Seymour Narrows) were also heavily dominated by amphipods.

Overall, community composition in the mid-intertidal zone was similar between Cycle Three and Cycle Four (Table 5.3). Amphipods accounted for a higher proportion of the average density throughout the study area during Cycle Four (21%) than during Cycle Three (8%), given large numbers of these organisms dominated the community at Cycle Four station EFI-18A (not surveyed during Cycle Three).

Figure 5.4 Mean density (± SE) of adult invertebrates in the mid-intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

250

200

150

100 Density(N/m2)

0 EFI-7(S) EFI-8(S) EFI-5(S) EFI-2(S) EFI-1(N) EFI-4(N) EFI-9(N) EFI-15(S) EFI-10(N) EFI-7A (S) EFI-7A (N) EFI-8A (N) EFI-9A EFI-18A (S) EFI-18A

Increasing distance south from diffuser Increasing distance north from diffuser

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 38 Hatfield Table 5.2 Summary of intertidal invertebrate community metrics1, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

Station Variable EFI-1 EFI-2 EFI-4 EFI-5 EFI-7 EFI-7A EFI-8 EFI-8A EFI-9 EFI-9A EFI-10 EFI-15 EFI-18A Exposure gradient Distance from diffuser (m) 0.4 0.5 2.7 1.2 3.8 7.2 2.0 2.0 4.2 6.7 6.1 8.1 10.2 Location relative to diffuser NSNSSSS NNNNSS

Density (#/m2) Individual subsamples (quadrats) Subsample 1 80 156 84 76 116 68 84 180 116 64 68 92 156 Subsample 2 108 20 120 68 92 88 48 68 144 84 132 40 216 Subsample 3 52 48 160 48 112 72 52 148 88 264 72 80 140 Subsample 4 72 16 308 72 108 120 120 252 76 48 108 96 128 Station Min 52 16 84 48 92 68 48 68 76 48 68 40 128 Max 108 156 308 76 116 120 120 252 144 264 132 96 216 Mean 78 60 168 66 107 87 76 162 106 115 95 77 160 Median 76 34 140 70 110 80 68 164 102 74 90 86 148 SD 23 66 98 12 11 24 33 76 30 100 31 26 39 SE 12 33 49 6 5 12 17 38 15 50 15 13 20 Taxa Richness (# taxa) Individual subsamples (quadrats) Subsample 1 8 6 9 9 5 6 3 6 3 3 3 7 2 Subsample 2 9 5 5 8 6 5 3 6 6 5 2 6 3 Subsample 3 5 5 5 5 4 5 6 9 3 9 3 6 3 Subsample 4 7 2 12 5 8 7 5 7 3 4 4 7 2 Station Min 5255453633262 Max 96129876969473 Mean 7 5 8 7 6 6 4 7 4 5 3 7 3 Median 8 5 7 7 6 6 4 7 3 5 3 7 3 SD 2232212123111 SE 1121101111000 Total Stn Taxa Richness 14 10 18 11 10 10 9 14 6 9 6 17 4 Simpson's Diversity Index 0.84 0.67 0.62 0.82 0.66 0.79 0.74 0.73 0.55 0.69 0.40 0.82 0.50 Evenness Index 0.45 0.30 0.15 0.51 0.29 0.48 0.43 0.26 0.37 0.36 0.28 0.32 0.50 2 Bray-Curtis Index 0.63 0.72 0.46 0.48 0.49 0.32 0.37 0.45 0.36 0.52 0.33 0.55 0.86 1 Nematodes, harpactacoids, barnacles and spirorbid polychaetes were excluded from the analyses as per technical guidance. 2 Bray-Curtis indices based on comparison of individual stations to a "reference median", calculated using northmost stations (i.e.,EFI-9, EFI-9A, and EFI-10) and southern station EFI-15

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 39 Hatfield 5.3.2 Taxonomic Richness The total number of taxa (richness) in the mid-intertidal zone ranged from 4 at EFI-18A (Tsakwaluten Wharf) to 18 at EFI-4 (Middle Point). Taxa richness was variable among stations and did not exhibit trends with distance from the pulpmill diffuser (Figure 5.5). Richness at stations nearest the mill was within the mid-range of richness levels observed in communities throughout the rest of the passage. Richness among the stations to the north of the diffuser was variable; south of the diffuser, richness was less variable but was considerably higher at station EFI-15 and considerably lower at station EFI-18A.

Figure 5.5 Total taxonomic richness of adult invertebrates in the mid-intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

TotalRichness (No. Taxa) 4

0 EFI-7(S) EFI-8(S) EFI-5(S) EFI-2(S) EFI-1(N) EFI-4(N) EFI-9(N) EFI-15 (S) EFI-15 (N) EFI-10 EFI-7A (S) EFI-7A (N) EFI-8A (N) EFI-9A EFI-18A (S) EFI-18A

Increasing distance south from diffuser Increasing distance north from diffuser

5.3.3 Biotic Community Indices 5.3.3.1 Diversity Diversity of intertidal communities in Discovery Passage ranged between 0.4 at EFI-10 (Race Point) and 0.84 at EFI-1 (North Outfall). Diversity among stations throughout the channel was variable (Figure 5.6). Communities at stations nearest the mill were among the most diverse of those observed throughout the passage. To the south of the mill, diversity did not exhibit any trends with distance, although communities at station EFI-18A were considerably less diverse than at all other southern stations. To the north of the mill, diversity gradually decreased with distance from the diffuser, with the exception of communities at northmost station EFI-9A which were more diverse than those to the immediate south.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 40 Hatfield Table 5.3 Most abundant invertebrate taxa1 (per m2) in the mid-intertidal zone, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

Station Area % Total % Total EFI-1 EFI-2 EFI-4 EFI-5 EFI-7 EFI-7A EFI-8 EFI-8AEFI-9 EFI-9A EFI-10 EFI-15 EFI-18A Avg Cy 4 Cy 3 Distance from diffuser (m) 0.4 0.5 2.7 1.2 3.8 7.2 2.0 2.0 4.2 6.7 6.1 8.1 10.2 - - - Location relative to diffuser NSNSSSSNNNNSS---

# Group Genus/species 1 Gastropoda Tectura scutum 16 6 100 10 24 31 25 75 64 15 72 5 0 34 33% 35% 2 Amphipoda Amphipoda 19 33 17 19 3 18 13 5 0 58 0 5 92 22 21% 8% 3 Decapoda Hemigrapsus oregonensis 4 4 11 15 38 12 12 10 5 12 13 26 4 13 12% 10% 4 Decapoda Hemigrapsus nudus 0 0 2 019 0 13 9 7 3 0 2 61 9 9% 10% 5 Decapoda Pagurus sp. 32363 5 1 9 011 0 13 0 44% 6% 6 Isopoda Gnorimosphaeroma oregonense 32500 2 2300 0 4 0 2 44%9% 7 Gastropoda Nucella lamellosa 1073017124 1 5 0 22%4% 8 Gastropoda Searlesia dira 00405 0 1130 0 0 4 0 22%2% 9 Polychaeta Serpulidae (Family) 5 0 2 0 0 9 1 0 1 0 0 6 0 2 2% 2% 10 Decapoda Petrolisthes cinctipes 160040 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21%0% 11 Polychaeta Cirratulidae (Family) 1 6 3 0 6 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 1% 1% 12 Gastropoda Littorina scutulata 00003 3 0 0112 0 0 0 11%2% 13 Gastropoda Littorina sitkana 01301 0 0 0130 0 0 0 11%4% 14 Bivalvia Mytilus edulis 3004101000 0 0 0 11%1% 15 Bivalvia Entodesma saxicola 4002000010 0 0 0 11%0% 16 Echinodermata Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis 0020050000 0 0 0 11%0% 1 Nematodes, harpactacoids, barnacles and spirorbid polychaetes were excluded from the analyses as per technical guidance.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 41 Hatfield Figure 5.6 Diversity of adult invertebrates in the mid-intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2 Simpson'sIndex Diversity 0.1

0 EFI-7(S) EFI-8(S) EFI-5(S) EFI-2(S) EFI-1(N) EFI-4(N) EFI-9(N) EFI-15 (S) EFI-15 (N)EFI-10 EFI-7A (S) EFI-7A (N) EFI-8A (N) EFI-9A EFI-18A (S) EFI-18A

Increasing distance south from diffuser Increasing distance north from diffuser

5.3.3.2 Evenness Index Evenness of intertidal communities in Discovery Passage ranged between 0.15 at station EFI-4 (Middle Point) and 0.51 at station EFI-5 (Orange Point). Evenness was highly variable throughout the study area, and did not exhibit any clear spatial trends (Figure 5.7). Evenness at stations nearest the mill was within the mid to high range of evenness observed in communities throughout the rest of the passage.

Figure 5.7 Evenness of adult invertebrates in the mid-intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006. 0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3 Evenness 0.2

0.1

0 EFI-7(S) EFI-8(S) EFI-5(S) EFI-2(S) EFI-1(N) EFI-4(N) EFI-9(N) EFI-15 (S) EFI-15 (N)EFI-10 EFI-7A (S) EFI-7A (N) EFI-8A (N) EFI-9A EFI-18A (S) EFI-18A

Increasing distance south from diffuser Increasing distance north from diffuser

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 42 Hatfield 5.3.3.3 Bray-Curtis Index Bray-Curtis indices were calculated using four far-field stations (i.e., EFI-9, EFI-9A, EFI-10, and EFI-15) to establish a “reference median” against which other stations were compared. Indices at the reference stations ranged between 0.33 and 0.55, and other stations ranged between 0.32 (EFI-7A) and 0.86 (EFI-18A) (Table 5.2; Figure 5.8).

Composition of intertidal invertebrate communities at stations EFI-1 and EFI-2 (closest to the mill), and EFI-18A (Tsakwaluten) were the most dissimilar from the reference median (0.63, 0.72, and 0.86, respectively). The intertidal habitat at station EFI-18A (Tsakwaluten) was observed to be naturally different than that of the other stations in the passage. Composition of communities at all other stations were within the range of the reference median stations according to Bray-Curtis.

Figure 5.8 Bray-Curtis dissimilarities between the reference median and adult invertebrate community composition at stations in the mid-intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

0.9 . 0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3 Bray-CurtisIndex 0.2

0.1 Increasing dissimilarity from reference from Increasingmed dissimilarity 0 EFI-7(S) EFI-8(S) EFI-5(S) EFI-2(S) EFI-1(N) EFI-4(N) EFI-9* (N) EFI-9* EFI-7A (S) EFI-7A (N) EFI-8A EFI-15* (S) EFI-15* (N) EFI-10* EFI-9A* (N) EFI-9A* EFI-18A (S) EFI-18A

Increasing distance south from diffuser Increasing distance north from diffuser

* Used to calculate reference median

5.3.4 Supporting Environmental Variables 5.3.4.1 Physical Habitat Characteristics Physical characteristics observed at invertebrate stations sampled in Discovery Passage during June 2006 are presented in Table 5.4. Shoreline slope ranged between 4 and 23%. Shorelines were flattest at stations EFI-9A (near Seymour

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 43 Hatfield Narrows entrance) and EFI-15 (Campbell River south); slopes on these shores were both 4%. The steepest shoreline was observed at EFI-8 (Steep Island), which had a slope of 23%.

Substrates were dominated by cobble at most quadrat stations, with the exception of station EFI-5 (Orange Point) where boulders were the dominant substrate, and stations EFI-7 (April Point) and EFI-9 (Opposite Race Point) where a mix of boulders and cobble dominated the shores. Secondary substrates ranged between sand and cobble throughout the passage.

Other potentially relevant visual observations made at intertidal stations included: a large barge /wharf close to station EFI-4 (Middle Point), a rock groyne at station EFI-5 (Orange Point), intertidal green algae observed to cover the rocks at station EFI-18A (Tsakwaluten Whaft), and similar habitat at far-field station EFI-9A (near entrance to Seymour Narrows) compared to stations near the mill (e.g., EFI-2).

5.3.4.2 Macrophyte Communities Qualitative estimates of macrophyte community coverage in the mid-intertidal zone throughout Discovery Passage are presented in Table 5.5. A typical algal community in the passage is shown in the photograph in Figure 5.3. Fucus gardneri dominated at most stations, accounting for approximately 30 to 95% of algal communities. Other common alga included ulvoid green algae (sea lettuce), Porphyra sp. (purple laver), and Ralfsia sp. (tar spot algae). Macrophyte communities did not appear to show any obvious qualitative relationships with distance from the pulpmill diffuser.

5.3.4.3 Water Quality Water quality observed at invertebrate stations is presented in Table 5.4; laboratory results of analyses appear in Appendix A3.

Salinity was generally consistent among stations, ranging between 28 and 30‰, and was suggestive of a well-mixed water column. Temperature ranged between 11.0 and 16.6°C, depending on the time of day and where the sample was taken (Table 5.4). Dissolved oxygen levels were highly variable, ranging between 7.5 and 15.0 mg/L, depending largely on where and when the sample was taken. Typically, higher dissolved oxygen levels were observed in samples taken at midday among beds of kelp, which produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis (e.g., 15 mg/L DO was recorded at station EFI-15 during the early afternoon, on a sunny day, in a kelp bed). Nitrate among intertidal stations was generally consistent, ranged between <0.10 and 0.21 mg/L, and did not appear to exhibit trends with distance from the pulpmill diffuser.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 44 Hatfield Table 5.4 Physical characteristics and water quality at intertidal survey locations, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

Distance Physical or Chemical Variables Direction from Time of Day Station from Substrate Slope Temp. Salinity DO Nitrate Diffuser Aspect Sampled Diffuser (°C) (‰) (mg/L) (mg/L) (km) Primary Secondary (%) EFI-1 0.4 N Cobble Cobble NE 16 14.1 28.9 NA 0.14 11:10 AM EFI-8A 2.0 N Cobble Silt S 6 11.7 28.9 10.0 0.12 11:25 AM EFI-4 2.7 N Cobble Gravel ENE 11 12.7 29.9 11.5 <0.10 9:20 AM EFI-9 4.2 N Boulder/Cobble Sand W 14 11.0 29.6 NA 0.14 12:00 PM EFI-10 6.1 N Cobble Sand N 12 12.0 29.9 14.0 0.10 8:10 AM EFI-9A 6.7 N Cobble Gravel SW 4 14.1 30.1 13.8 <0.10 12:25 PM EFI-2 0.5 S Cobble Sand ENE 18 13.8 29.3 10.0 0.14 11:45 AM EFI-5 1.2 S Boulder Cobble E 11 16.0 29.4 10.4 0.19 12:25 PM EFI-8 2.0 S Boulder Cobble W 23 12.5 28.7 8.0 0.14 10:50 AM EFI-7 3.8 S Boulder/Cobble Gravel SW 16 12.5 28.8 10.0 0.18 10:20 AM EFI-7A 7.2 S Cobble Gravel/Sand SW 11 13.1 28.9 7.5 0.21 9:40 AM EFI-15 8.1 S Cobble Sand E 4 16.6 28.4 15.0 <0.10 1:10 PM EFI-18A 10.2 S Cobble Gravel NW 12 11.9 28.0 9.4 <0.10 8:10 AM

NA = reading not available

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 45 Hatfield

Table 5.5 Qualitative assessment of macrophyte communities at intertidal survey locations, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

Percent Coverage / Presence Station Fucus Ulvoids Porphyra Ralfsia Foliose reds Other gardneri EFI-1 45 23 - present - Leathsia difformis; filamentous reds EFI-2 30 30 10 present - filamentous greens EFI-4 73 - 5 - - - EFI-5 58 10 10 - 4 - EFI-7 93 15 - present - EFI-7a 65 18 present present small (present) - EFI-8 29 10 present - - - EFI-8a 69 present - present - - EFI-9 54 10 10 present small (present) - EFI-9a 95 10 - present small (present) - EFI-10 59 - 18 present - Leathsia difformis EFI-15 34 43 22 present small (10%) filamentous greens EFI-18a 37 18 10 - - -

5.3.5 Statistical Analyses 5.3.5.1 Community Summary Statistics Means, medians, standard deviations (SDs), and standard errors (SEs) for intertidal invertebrate density and richness, as well as total richness, are presented in Table 5.2.

5.3.5.2 Regression Analyses: Community Metrics vs. Distance from Diffuser Results of regression analyses between intertidal invertebrate metrics and distance from the pulpmill diffuser are summarized in Table 5.6, and scatterplots showing these relationships are presented in Figure 5.9. None of the metrics were significantly correlated (p 0.10) with distance, indicating no significant effects related to distance from the mill on intertidal invertebrates in Discovery Passage.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 46 Hatfield

Table 5.6 Results of regression analyses (n=13) conducted to test relationships between intertidal community metrics and distance from the pulpmill diffuser, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

p-value Dependent 2 2 for Regression Equation r r rs Effect ? Variable1 F-test Density 0.114 log density = 4.435 + 0.150*log distance 0.460 0.212 - no Richness 0.236 richness = 12.593 - 0.468*distance -0.354 0.125 - no Diversity 0.194 rank diversity = 9.692 - 0.385*rank distance - - -0.385 no Evenness 0.565 evenness = 0.337 = 0.006*distance 0.176 0.031 - no Bray-Curtis 0.775 rank Bray-Curtis = 7.615 - 0.088*rank distance - - -0.088 no Bolded entries represent statistically significant relationships (! = 0.10). 1 Distance was used as the independent variable in the regression models. 2 An effect is present if the relationship is statistically significant (p < 0.10) r = Pearson's correlation coefficient (parametric correlations). r2 = coefficient of determination. rs = Spearman's correlation coefficient (non-parametric correlations).

5.3.5.3 Regression Analyses: Supporting Variables vs. Distance from Diffuser Results of regression analyses between water quality variables, shoreline slope, and distance from the pulpmill diffuser are summarized in Table 5.7. Dissolved oxygen was significantly correlated with slope (p=0.042, r=–0.619). None of the other water quality variables were significantly correlated (p 0.10) with slope or distance from the diffuser.

Table 5.7 Results of regression analyses conducted to test relationships between water quality, slope, and distance from the pulpmill diffuser, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

p-value Independent Variable 2 N for Regression Equation r r rs Dependent Variable F-test Distance Temperature 13 0.615 rank temperature = 8.077 - 0.154*rank distance - - -0.154 Salinity 13 0.723 log salinity = 3.374 - 0.002*log distance -0.110 0.012 - rank diss. oxygen = 5.112 + 0.119*rank Dissolved Oxygen 11 0.688 - - 0.119 distance Nitrate 13 0.112 log nitrate = -1.991 - 0.243*log distance -0.462 0.213 - Slope Temperature 13 0.340 rank temperature = 9.029 - 0.290*rank slope - - -0.288 Salinity 13 0.460 rank salinity = 8.578 - 0.225*rank slope - - -0.225 Dissolved Oxygen 11 0.042 diss. oxygen = 13.908 - 0.261*slope -0.619 0.383 - Nitrate 13 0.108 nitrate = 0.062 + 0.005*slope 0.467 0.218 - Bolded entries represent statistically significant relationships (! = 0.10). r = Pearson's correlation coefficient (parametric correlations). r2 = coefficient of determination.

rs = Spearman's correlation coefficient (non-parametric correlations).

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 47 Hatfield

Figure 5.9 Scatterplots showing intertidal invertebrate community metrics versus distance from the diffuser, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

200 20

15 150

S N 10

D 100 R 5

50 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 DISTANCE DISTANCE

0.9 0.6

0.8 0.5

S T 0.7 0.4

I 0.6 V 0.3

0.5 0.2

0.4 0.1 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 DISTANCE DISTANCE

0.9

0.8

I 0.7

C 0.6

B 0.5

0.4

0.3 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 DISTANCE

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 48 Hatfield

5.3.5.4 Power Analyses of Regressions The power of regression analyses to detect an “effect” (r = | 0.707 | ) on intertidal invertebrates using n=13 stations along the effluent exposure gradient was 0.96 (Appendix A2); given this was above the recommended level of P = 0.90, sufficient power was available to detect an effect.

5.3.5.5 Correlations among Community Metrics The results of Spearman rank correlations between the various intertidal community metrics appear in Table 5.8. A moderate, inverse correlation was present between density and diversity (rs = -0.52), and a moderate positive correlation was present between richness and diversity (rs = 0.59). None of the other metrics were significantly correlated with one another.

Table 5.8 Results of Spearman rank correlations (n=13) conducted among intertidal community metrics, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

Metric Density Richness Diversity Evenness Bray-Curtis Density - - - - - Richness -0.03 - - - -

Diversity -0.52 0.59 - - - Evenness -0.43 -0.32 0.42 - - Bray-Curtis -0.09 0.13 0.12 0.15 -

represents a statistically significant correlation (> Spearman's critical value = |0.484| for n=13, two-tailed, a=0.10)

represents a moderate correlation (i.e., 0.50 < rs < 0.75)

represents a strong correlation (i.e., rs > 0.75)

5.3.5.6 Correlations among Supporting Variables The results of Spearman rank correlations among water quality variables appear in Table 5.9. A moderate, inverse correlation was present between nitrate and dissolved oxygen (rs = -0.57). None of the other variables were significantly correlated with one another.

5.3.5.7 Correlations between Community Metrics and Supporting Variables The results of Spearman rank correlations between intertidal invertebrate community metrics and water quality variables appear in Table 5.10. A moderate, inverse correlation was present between temperature and density (rs = -0.53), and moderate positive correlations were present between temperature and richness (rs = 0.52) and diversity (rs = 0.71). A moderate, inverse correlation was also present between nitrate and density (rs = -0.51). None of the other water quality variables and community metrics were significantly correlated with one another.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 49 Hatfield

Table 5.9 Results of Spearman rank correlations (rs) among water quality variables, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

Water Chemistry Temp DO Salinity Nitrate Water Chemistry Temperature1 - - - - Dissolved Oxygen2 0.40 - - - Salinity1 0.04 0.45 - - Nitrate1 0.05 -0.57 -0.09 - 1 n=13 2 n=11 statistically significant correlation (> critical value |0.536| for n=11; |0.484| for n=13)

moderate correlation (i.e., 0.50 < rs < 0.75)

strong correlation (i.e., rs > 0.75)

Table 5.10 Results of Spearman rank correlations (rs) between intertidal invertebrate community metrics and water quality variables, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

Metric Density Richness Diversity Evenness Bray-Curtis Water Chemistry Temperature1 -0.53 0.52 0.71 0.26 0.39 Dissolved Oxygen2 0.09 0.28 -0.09 -0.39 0.20 Salinity1 0.17 -0.02 -0.25 -0.32 -0.33 Nitrate1 -0.51 -0.01 0.39 0.40 -0.35

1 n=13 2 n=11 statistically significant correlation (> critical value |0.536| for n=11; |0.484| for n=13)

moderate correlation (i.e., 0.50 < rs < 0.75)

strong correlation (i.e., rs > 0.75)

5.3.5.8 Cluster Analyses among Communities Results of cluster analysis using Bray-Curtis dissimilarity indices for intertidal quadrat surveys are presented as a dendrogram in Figure 5.10. The cluster tree indicated that the largest differences in community composition existed between one individual station and two primary clusters of stations:

. Southmost station EFI-18A (Tsakwaluten Wharf, near Cape Mudge) was dissimilar from all other stations;

. Cluster 1, which included northern stations EFI-9, EFI-10, EFI-8A, and EFI-4; and

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 50 Hatfield

. Cluster 2, which included all other stations, and contained two secondary clusters: o Cluster 2a, in which nearer field stations EFI-2, EFI-5, EFI-1, EFI 7A, and EFI-8 clustered with northmost station EFI-9a; and o Cluster 2b, in which nearer field station EFI-7 clustered with southern far-field station EFI-15.

The cluster analysis indicated that intertidal invertebrate communities at EFI-18A were clearly different than those at any of the other stations, and that communities at the northern end of Discovery Passage (with the exception of those at EFI-9a) were also relatively distinct from other communities in the channel.

Figure 5.10 Dendrogram describing similarities between adult invertebrate communities in the mid-intertidal zone of Discovery Passage, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

5.4 DISCUSSION

The Elk Falls pulpmill is adjacent to Discovery Passage, a deep and narrow fjord- like channel which is naturally characterized by strong, turbulent tidal currents that flush the channel regularly and result in a well-mixed water column. Consequently, effluent discharged from the mill disperses rapidly throughout the passage, reaching concentrations of <1% within 100 m of the diffuser (Hatfield Consultants 1994).

During Cycle Four, no significant relationships were identified between intertidal community metrics and distance from the pulpmill diffuser (Table 5.11). Therefore, no effect of effluent discharge was found on invertebrate

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 51 Hatfield

communities in the mid-intertidal zone in Cycle Four. Similarly, no effects were observed during Cycle Three within the mid-intertidal zone (Table 5.11).

Despite the observed lack of effects, intertidal community densities were observed to be somewhat lower near the mill than further along the gradient. According to Bray-Curtis indices, invertebrate community composition at stations nearest the diffuser (i.e., stations EFI-1 and EFI-2) differed from the far- field “reference” stations at the north and south ends of the gradient. Stations closer to the mill were dominated by amphipods and limpets, while reference stations were overall dominated by limpets and shore crabs, with few to no amphipods. Cluster analysis identified communities at all three of the northern “reference” stations as being distinct from communities throughout the rest of the study area, not just those closest to the mill. Furthermore, community health indicators (i.e., diversity, richness, and evenness) at stations near the mill measured within the upper range of those farther along the gradient. Given these observations, differences in community composition and abundance near the mill were likely attributable to natural differences in habitat rather than effluent-related effects.

Table 5.11 Summary of effects observed during EEM Cycles Three and Four on invertebrate communities in the mid-intertidal zone according to distance from the Elk Falls mill.

Effect Endpoint Effect? Direction Magnitude Cycle Three Density No - - Richness No - - Diversity nc - - Bray-Curtis No - - Evenness No - - Cycle Four Density No - - Richness No - - Diversity No - - Evenness No - - Bray-Curtis No - - nc = not calculated

Water quality in the passage did not appear to be associated with mill effluent discharge. Consistent salinity levels indicated a well-mixed water column throughout the passage, and any variations observed in temperature and dissolved oxygen were likely attributable to algal presence, sample depth, exposure, and time of day during sampling, and not proximity to the mill. Nitrate, which was evaluated as in indicator of pulpmill effluent, was relatively consistent throughout the passage. Intertidal invertebrate density was observed

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 52 Hatfield

to decline significantly with nitrate levels; however, this relationship did not hold true for lower density stations near the mill (i.e., nitrate was not correspondingly high), and therefore was likely not indicative of mill-related effects.

Southmost station EFI-18A (10 km south of the diffuser, at Tsakwaluten Wharf) was monitored within Cape Mudge Band territory during Cycle Four in order to respond to concerns expressed by the local community. Intertidal invertebrate communities at station EFI-18A were distinct, and were dominated by amphipods and purple shore crabs, rather than the plate limpets and other organisms commonly observed to dominate communities throughout the rest of the passage. Intertidal invertebrate communities at the Cape Mudge station were distinct due to natural habitat differences, and did not appear to be impacted by mill effluent discharge.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 53 Hatfield

6.0 CYCLE FOUR CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of the Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four program, the following conclusions can be made:

. No effect of Elk Falls effluent on survival or growth of topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) larvae was observed.

. Effects on echinoderm fertilization were observed at a mean effluent concentration of 35.29% (IC25).

. Champia parvula reproduction was affected at a mean effluent concentration of 5.25% (IC25).

. Maximum potential zones of sublethal effect from Elk Falls effluent discharge were non-detectable (<2.5 m) for fish survival, 7 m for invertebrate fertilization, and 48 m for algal growth; however, the model used to calculate these distances assumes much less rapid dilution of effluent into the receiving environment than actually occurs at Elk Falls.

. During the 2006 dioxin/furan monitoring program, Total TEQ concentrations in crabs were below Health Canada consumption guidelines (30 pg/g hepatopancreas) at all stations, with the exception of those measured at station C5 (Gowlland Harbour) across from the mill (38.2 pg/g).

. Statistical power of the Elk Falls intertidal invertebrate study was sufficient to detect an effect along the effluent exposure gradient.

. Invertebrate communities in the mid-intertidal zone did not exhibit significant effects associated with distance from the pulpmill diffuser; these findings were consistent with those in EEM Cycle Three.

. No supporting water quality variables varied significantly with distance from the pulpmill diffuser.

. Diversity, richness, and evenness of intertidal invertebrate communities nearest the pulpmill diffuser were within the mid to high range of values identified throughout the study area; these results indicated no overall differences between the health of communities near the mill and those farther along the gradient.

. Cluster analysis demonstrated that intertidal invertebrate communities nearest the diffuser were similar to those at several near-field and far- field stations.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 54 Hatfield

. Invertebrate densities were somewhat lower (not significantly) near the mill, and Bray-Curtis indices demonstrated that intertidal invertebrates at stations nearest the diffuser were among the most dissimilar from “reference” stations on the north and south ends of the gradient. However, given the overall health of communities near the mill and cluster groupings showing northern “reference” stations to be distinct from most other stations in the passage, composition differences were likely attributable to natural differences in habitat.

. Station EFI-18A (monitored to respond to Cape Mudge Band concerns) did not appear to be impacted by mill effluent discharge. Communities at this station exhibited naturally distinct intertidal habitat and community composition, and therefore could not be used as a reference station in Bray-Curtis analyses, despite being the furthest from the diffuser along the gradient.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 55 Hatfield

7.0 REFERENCES

Abbott, I.A. and E.Y. Dawson. 1978. How to know the seaweeds. 2nd Ed. McGraw- Hill, Toronto.

Abbott, I.A. and G.J. Hollenberg. 1976. Marine algae of California. Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, CA.

Abbot, R.T. 1974. American Seashells. 2nd Ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold, Toronto.

Baker, J.M. and W.J. Wolff (eds.) Biological surveys of estuaries and coasts. University Press, Cambridge. pp. 157-197.

Barnard, J.L. 1969. The families and genrea of marine gammaridean amphipoda, Smithsonian Bull. 271. Washington DC.

Bousfield, E.L. and E.A. Hendrycks. 2002. The talitroidean ammphipod family Hyalidae revised, with emphasis on the north Pacific fauna: systematics and distributional ecology. Amphipacifica 3(3): 17-134.

Bray, J.R. and J.T. Curtis. 1957. Ordination of the upland forest communities of southern Wisconsin. Ecol. Monogr. 27:325-349.

Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). 1989. Discovery Passage. Chart 3539. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ottawa.

Coan, E.V., P.V. Scott and F.R. Bernard. 2000. Bivalve seashells of Western North America. Santa Barbara Mus. Nat. Hist., Santa Barbara Calif.

Cohen, J. 1988. Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. Second Edition. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Hillsdale, New Jersey.

Dreuhl, L.D. 2000. Pacific Seaweeds. Harbour Publishing, Madiera Park, BC.

Dwernychuk, L.W. 1990. Effluent, receiving water, bottom sediments and biological tissues: a baseline organochlorine survey, January/February 1990. Prepared for Fletcher Challenge Canada Ltd., Elk Falls Pulp and Paper, by Hatfield Consultants Ltd., West Vancouver, BC.

Environment Canada. 1997. Biological test method: fertilization assay using echinoids (sea urchins and sand dollars), Report EPS 1/RM /27, December 1992 and November 1997 amendments. Environmental Protection, Conservation and Protection, Ottawa, Ontario.

Environment Canada. 2005. Pulp and Paper Technical Guidance for Aquatic Environmental Effects Monitoring. Environment Canada. July 2005.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 56 Hatfield

Faul, F. and E. Erdfelder. 1992. GPOWER: A priori, post-hoc, and compromise power analyses for MS-DOS (Computer Program). Bonn University, Department of Psychology, Bonn, Germany.

Government of Canada. 2004. Regulations amending the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations. Canada Gazette Part II, Vol. 138, No. 10. SOR/2004- 109. May 2004. pp. 598-658.

Hart, J.F.L. 1982. Crabs and their relatives, B.C. Prov. Mus. Handbook 40, Victoria, BC.

Hatfield Consultants Ltd. 1994. Elk Falls environmental effects monitoring (EEM) pre-design reference document. Prepared for Fletcher Challenge Canada Ltd., Elk Falls Pulp and Paper, by Hatfield Consultants Ltd., West Vancouver, BC.

Hatfield Consultants Ltd. 2000. Elk Falls environmental effects monitoring (EEM): Cycle Two interpretive report. Prepared for Fletcher Challenge Canada, Elk Falls Pulp and Paper, by Hatfield Consultants Ltd., West Vancouver, BC.

Hatfield Consultants Ltd. 2004. Elk Falls environmental effects monitoring (EEM) Cycle Three interpretive report. Prepared for NorskeCanada, Elk Falls Division, by Hatfield Consultants Ltd., West Vancouver, BC.

Hatfield Consultants Ltd. 2006. Elk Falls environmental effects monitoring (EEM) Cycle Four design document. Prepared for Catalyst Paper Ltd., Elk Falls Division, by Hatfield Consultants Ltd., West Vancouver, BC.

Hendrycks, E.A. and E.L. Bousfield. 2001. The amphipod genus Allorchestes in the North Pacific region: systematics and distributional ecology. Amphipacifica 3(2): 3-37.

Hodgins, D.O. and M. Knoll. 1991. Effluent dispersion study for the Elk Falls Pulp and Paper mill in Discovery Passage, British Columbia. Prepared for Fletcher Challenge Canada, Elk Falls Pulp and Paper, Campbell River, BC by Seaconsult Marine Research Ltd., Vancouver, BC.

Jensen, G.C. 1995. Pacific Coast crabs and shrimp. Sea Challengers, Monterey, CA.

Kozloff, E.N. 1983. Seashore life of the Northern Pacific Coast. An illustrated guide to northern California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Douglas & McIntyre, Toronto.

Kozloff, E.N. 1987. Marine Invertebrates of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle. 511 pp.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 57 Hatfield

Lamb, A. and B.P. Hanby. 2005. Marine life of the Pacific Northwest: A photographic encyclopedia of invertebrates, seaweed and selected fishes. Harbour Publishing. Madeira Park, BC.

Levings, C.D. 1976. Basket traps for surveys of a gammarid amphipod, Anisogammarus confervicolus (Stimpson), at two British Columbia estuaries. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 33: 2066-2069.

Lindstrom, S. C., R.E. Foreman and J.C. Root. 1974. An illustrated field key to the marine macrophytes of the Strait of Georgia. MS, U.B.C., Botany Dept., Vancouver, BC.

Mehlenbacher, N.M. and M.E. Davies. 2006. Elk Falls dioxin/furan trend monitoring program 2006. Prepared for Catalyst Paper Ltd., Elk Falls Division, by Hatfield Consultants Ltd., West Vancouver, BC.

Morris, P.A. 1966. A field guide to the shells of the Pacific Coast and Hawaii. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA.

Schultz, G.A. 1969. How to know the marine isopod crustaceans. Wm C. Brown Co, Dubuque, Iowa.

Smith, B. and J.B. Wilson. 1996. A consumer’s guide to evenness indices. OIKOS 76:70-82.

SPSS. 2000. SYSTAT 10. Statistics I. SPSS Inc. United States of America. 663 pp.

US EPA. 1994. Short-term methods for estimating the chronic toxicity of effluents and receiving water to marine and estuarine organisms, Second Edition, EPA-600-4-91-003, July 1994. Environmental Systems Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH.

US EPA. 1995. Short-term methods for estimating the chronic toxicity of effluents and receiving water to West Coast marine and estuarine organisms, First Edition, EPA /600/R-95-136. National Exposure Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 58 Hatfield

8.0 GLOSSARY

Acute With reference to toxicity tests with fish, usually means an effect that happens within four to seven days, or an exposure of that duration. An acute effect could be mild or sublethal, if it were rapid.

ANCOVA Analysis of covariance. ANCOVA compares regression lines, testing for differences in either slopes or intercepts (adjusted means).

ANOVA Analysis of variance. An ANOVA tests for differences among levels of one or more factors. For example, individual sites are levels of the factor site. Two or more factors can be included in an ANOVA (e.g., site and year).

BEAST Benthic assessment of sediment. BEAST is a tool for evaluating the health of benthic invertebrate communities by using predictive models that relate site habitat attributes to an expected community, commonly referred to as a reference condition (see CABIN and RCA, below).

Benthos Organisms that inhabit the bottom substrates (sediments, debris, logs, macrophytes) of aquatic habitats for at least part of their life cycle. The term benthic is used as an adjective, as in benthic invertebrates.

BOD Biochemical oxygen demand. The test measures the oxygen utilized during a specified incubation period for the biochemical degradation of organic material and the oxygen used to oxidize inorganic material such as sulfides and ferrous iron. Usually conducted as a 5-day test (i.e., BOD5).

CABIN Canadian aquatic biomonitoring network. CABIN is a collaborative programme developed and maintained by Environment Canada to establish a network of reference sites (see RCA, below) available to all users interested in assessing the biological health of fresh water in Canada.

Caustic Also known as sodium hydroxide; an odourless, corrosive, clear or slightly cloudy liquid, often used to control odour in effluent treatment systems.

CL Confidence limits. A set of possible values within which the true value will lie with a specified level of probability.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 59 Hatfield

Colour True colour of water is the colour of a filtered water sample (and thus with turbidity removed), and results from materials which are dissolved in the water. These materials include natural mineral components such as iron and calcium carbonate, as well as dissolved organic matter such as humic acids, tannin, and lignin. Organic and inorganic compounds from industrial or agricultural uses may also add colour to water. As with turbidity, colour hinders the transmission of light through water, and thus "regulates" biological processes within the body of water.

Community A set of taxa coexisting at a specified spatial or temporal scale.

Concentration Concentration Units Abbreviation Units Units Table Parts per million ppm mg/kg or µg/g or mg/L Parts per billion ppb µg/kg or ng/g or µg/L Parts per trillion ppt ng/kg or pg/g or ng/L Parts per quadrillion ppq pg/kg or fg/g or pg/L

Condition Factor A measure of the plumpness or fatness of aquatic organisms. For oysters and mussels, values are based on the ratio of the soft tissue dry weight to the volume of the shell cavity. For fish, the condition factor is based on length-weight relationships.

Conductivity A numerical expression of the ability of an aqueous solution to carry an electric current. This ability depends on the presence of ions, their total concentration, mobility, valence and relative concentrations, and on the temperature of measurement.

Covariate An independent variable; a measurement taken on each experimental unit that predicts to some degree the final response to the treatment, but which is unrelated to the treatment (e.g., body size [covariate] included in the analysis to compare gonad weights of fish collected from reference and exposed areas).

Dioxins /Furans Polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are often simply called dioxins, although they are two separate groups of substances with similar effects. There are 210 different compounds, of which 17 are the most toxic.

DO Dissolved oxygen, the gaseous oxygen in solution with water. At low concentrations it may become a limiting factor for the maintenance of aquatic life. It is normally measured in milligrams / litre, and is widely used as a criterion of receiving

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 60 Hatfield

water quality. The level of dissolved oxygen which can exist in water before the saturation point is reached is primarily controlled by temperature, with lower temperatures allowing for more oxygen to exist in solution. Photosynthetic activity may cause the dissolved oxygen to exist at a level which is higher than this saturation point, whereas respiration may cause it to exist at a level which is lower than this saturation point. At high saturation, fish may contract gas bubble disease, which produces lesions in blood vessels and other tissues and subsequent physiological dysfunctions.

ECp A point estimate of the concentration of test material that causes a specified percentage effective toxicity (sublethal or lethal). In most instances, the ECp is statistically derived by analysis of an observed biological response (e.g., incidence of nonviable embryos or reduced hatching success) for various test concentrations after a fixed period of exposure. EC25 is used for the rainbow trout sublethal toxicity test.

Fecundity The number of eggs or offspring produced by a female.

Gonad A male or female organ producing reproductive cells or gametes (i.e., female ovum, male sperm). The male gonad is the testis, the female gonad is the ovary.

GSI Gonadosomatic Index. Calculated by expressing gonad weight as a percentage of whole body weight.

Hardness Total hardness is defined as the sum of the calcium and magnesium concentrations, both expressed as calcium carbonate, in milligrams per litre.

ICp A point estimate of the concentration of test material that causes a specified percentage impairment in a quantitative biological test which measures a change in rate, such as reproduction, growth, or respiration.

LC50 Median lethal concentration. The concentration of a substance that is estimated to kill half of a group of organisms. The

duration of exposure must be specified (e.g., 96-hour LC50).

LSI Liver Somatic Index. Calculated by expressing liver weight as a percent of whole body weight.

Macroinvertebrates Those invertebrate (without backbone) animals that are visible to the eye and retained by a sieve with 500 µm mesh openings for freshwater, or 1,000 µm mesh openings for marine surveys (EEM methods).

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 61 Hatfield

Negative Control Material (e.g., water) that is essentially free of contaminants and of any other characteristics that could adversely affect the test organism. It is used to assess the "background response" of the test organism to determine the acceptability of the test using predefined criteria.

Organochlorine Chlorine that is attached to an organic molecule. The amount present is expressed as the weight of the chlorine. There are thousands of such substances, including some that are manufactured specifically as pesticides because of their toxicity.

pH A measure of the acid or alkaline nature of water or some other medium. Specifically, pH is the negative logarithm of the + hydronium ion (H30 ) concentration (or more precisely, activity). Practically, pH 7 represents a neutral condition in which the acid hydrogen ions balance the alkaline hydroxide ions. The pH of the water can have an important influence on the toxicity and mobility of chemicals in pulpmill effluents.

Plume The main pathway for dispersal of effluent within the receiving waters, prior to its complete mixing.

Population A group of organisms belonging to a particular species or taxon, found within a particular region, territory or sampling unit. A collection of organisms that interbreed and share a bounded segment of space.

ppt Parts per thousand.

Quality Assurance (QA) Refers to the externally imposed technical and management practices which ensure the generation of quality and defensible data commensurate with the intended use of the data; a set of operating principles that, if strictly followed, will produce data of known defensible quality.

Quality Control (QC) Specific aspect of quality assurance which refers to the internal techniques used to measure and assess data quality and the remedial actions to be taken when data quality objectives are not realized.

RCA Reference condition approach. The key to assessing the condition of our waterways through CABIN is the use of the Reference Condition Approach. Reference sites are established based on minimal impacts by human use, and present users with a baseline for assessing potentially impaired sites. The reference sites represent as many different geographic regions and stream sizes as possible and are used to establish the type of community of organisms expected to occur in the range of

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 62 Hatfield

natural habitat types present in regions covered by the CABIN network. Once the reference condition has been established, sites suspected of being impaired are sampled. Differences between the organisms found at the reference sites and the test- site indicate the extent, if any, of impairment at the site.

Redox Potential (Eh) In marine sediments, the measurement of reduction and oxidation by testing electron movement and, consequently, available oxygen.

Reference Toxicant A chemical of quantified toxicity to test organisms, used to gauge the fitness, health, and sensitivity of a batch of test organisms.

Resin Acids Any of a class of vegetable substances, composed chiefly of esters and ethers of organic acids, that occur as a sticky yellow or brown substance exuded on the bark of various plants and trees, such as the pine and fir.

Salinity A measure of the quantity of dissolved salts in seawater - in parts per thousand (ppt) by weight.

SD Standard deviation.

SE Standard error.

Secondary Treatment A stage of purification of a liquid waste in which micro- organisms decompose organic substances in the waste. In the process, the micro-organisms use oxygen. Oxygen usually is supplied by mechanical aeration and/ or large surface area of treatment ponds (lagoons). Most secondary treatment also reduces toxicity.

Sentinel Species A monitoring species selected to be representative of the local receiving environment.

Stressor An environmental factor or group of factors eliciting a response by a community.

Sublethal A concentration or level that would not cause death. An effect that is not directly lethal.

T4CDD 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin, the most toxic dioxin.

TEQ Toxic Equivalents.

TN Total nitrogen.

TOC Total organic carbon (TOC).

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 63 Hatfield

Total-TEQs TEQs are calculated by multiplying the concentration of each congener with its respective International Toxicity Equivalency Factor (ITEF), to normalize concentrations to the level that would be produced by an equivalent amount of 2,3,7,8-T4CDD, then summing all the concentrations.

TS Total sulphides.

TSS Total suspended solids (TSS) is a measurement of the oven dry weight of particles of matter suspended in the water which can be filtered through a standard filter paper with pore size of 0.45 micrometres.

Turbidity Turbidity in water is caused by the presence of matter such as clay, silt, organic matter, plankton, and other microscopic organisms that are held in suspension.

v/v volume /volume - used to define dilution ratios for two liquids.

Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four – Final 64 Hatfield

APPENDICES

Appendix A1

Sublethal Toxicity Data and Calculations

Figure A1.1 Mean mortality and dry weight (± 1 standard deviation) of topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) in test Figure A1.1 concentrations of final effluent and controls for sublethal toxicity tests, Catalyst Paper Figure A1.1 Corporation, Elk Falls Division, EEM Cycle Four.

SD = Standard deviation, noted as one SD above and below the mean.

April 19, 2004 (Winter 2004) July 26, 2004 (Summer 2004) % Mortality Dry Weight % Mortality Dry Weight

50 2.0 50 2.0

40 40 1.5 1.5

30 30 1.0 1.0 20 20 Dry Weight (mg) Dry Weight (mg)

Mean Mortality (%) 0.5 0.5 10 Mean Mortality (%) 10

0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 6.3 12.5 25 50 100 0.0 6.3 12.5 25 50 100 Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Effluent Concentration (% v/v)

January 31, 2005 (Winter 2005) August 8, 2005 (Summer 2005) % Mortality Dry Weight % Mortality Dry Weight

50 2.0 50 2.0

40 40 1.5 1.5

30 30 1.0 1.0 20 20 Dry Weight (mg) Dry Weight (mg)

Mean Mortality (%) 0.5 Mean Mortality (%) 0.5 10 10

0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 6.3 12.5 25 50 100 0.0 6.3 12.5 25 50 100 Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Effluent Concentration (% v/v)

June 12, 2006 (Winter 2006) October 16, 2006 (Summer 2006) % Mortality Dry Weight % Mortality Dry Weight

50 2.0 50 2.0

40 40 1.5 1.5

30 30 1.0 1.0 20 20 Dry Weight (mg) Dry Weight (mg)

Mean Mortality (%) 0.5 Mean Mortality (%) 0.5 10 10

0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 6.3 12.5 25 50 100 0.0 6.3 12.5 25 50 100 Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Figure A1.2 Mean percent fertilized eggs (± 1 standard deviation) of an echinoderm in test concentrations Figure A1.2 of final effluent and controls for sublethal toxicity tests, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, Figure A1.2 EEM Cycle Four.

SD = Standard deviation, noted as one SD above and below the mean.

April 19, 2004 (Winter 2004) July 26, 2004 (Summer 2004)

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40 (Mean & (Mean SD) & (Mean SD)

% Eggs Fertilized% Eggs 20 Fertilized% Eggs 20

0 0 0.0 4.2 8.4 16.8 33.5 67.0 0.0 4.2 8.4 16.8 33.5 67.0 Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Effluent Concentration (% v/v)

January 31, 2005 (Winter 2005) August 8, 2005 (Summer 2005)

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40 (Mean & (Mean SD) & (Mean SD)

% Eggs Fertilized% Eggs 20 Fertilized% Eggs 20

0 0 0.0 4.2 8.4 16.8 33.5 67.0 0.0 4.2 8.4 16.8 33.5 67.0 Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Effluent Concentration (% v/v)

June 12, 2006 (Winter 2006)

100

40 (Mean & (Mean SD)

% Eggs Fertilized% Eggs 20

0 0.0 6.3 12.5 25.0 50.0 100.0 Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Figure A1.3 Mean number (± 1 standard deviation) of Champia parvula cystocarps in test concentrations Figure A1.3 of final effluent and controls for sublethal toxicity tests, Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, Figure A1.3 EEM Cycle Four.

SD = Standard deviation, noted as one SD above and below the mean.

April 19, 2004 (Winter 2004) July 26, 2004 (Summer 2004)

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40

20 20 No. of cystocarps (Mean and SD) and (Mean cystocarps of No. No. of cystocarps (Mean and SD) and (Mean cystocarps of No. 0 0 0 6.19 12.38 24.75 49.5 99 0 6.19 12.38 24.75 49.5 99 Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Effluent Concentration (% v/v)

January 31, 2005 (Winter 2005) August 8, 2005 (Summer 2005)

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40

20 20 No. of cystocarps (Mean and SD) and (Mean cystocarps of No. No. of cystocarps (Mean and SD) and (Mean cystocarps of No. 0 0 0 2.09 4.19 8.38 16.75 33.5 67.0 0 2.09 4.19 8.38 16.75 33.5 67.0 Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Effluent Concentration (% v/v)

June 12, 2006 (Winter 2006) October 16, 2006 (Summer 2006)

100 100

80 80

60 60

40 40

20 20

No. of cystocarps (Mean and SD) and (Mean cystocarps of No. 0 SD) and (Mean cystocarps of No. 0 0 6.19 12.38 24.75 49.5 99 0 6.19 12.38 24.75 49.5 99 Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Effluent Concentration (% v/v) Table A1.1 Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division, Effluent Sublethal Toxicity Test Results, Cycle Four.

Effluent Collection Flag Flag EC25 Description Date LC50% or IC25% Project Testing Period Laboratory Species Tested Test type > for Comments Number LC50 LC50 > for (final, cooling, greater EC25 or EC25 or IC25 EC25 or IC25 yyyymmdd LC50 % Lower Upper greater etc.) than IC25 % Lower 95% cI Upper 95% cI 95% cI 95% cI than 100% 100% Winter 2004 pp1122 final 20040419 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Survival > 100 Winter 2004 pp1122 final 20040419 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Growth > 100 Strongylocentrotus Winter 2004 pp1122 final 20040419 Vizon SciTec Inc. Reproduction 13.71 13.11 14.32 purpuratus Saskatchewan Research Winter 2004 pp1122 final 20040419 Champia parvula Reproduction 8.88 8.13 9.46 Council Summer 2004 pp1122 final 20040726 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Survival > 100 Summer 2004 pp1122 final 20040726 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Growth > 100 Summer 2004 pp1122 final 20040726 Vizon SciTec Inc. Dendraster excentricus Reproduction 54.18 48.53 59.36 Saskatchewan Research Summer 2004 pp1122 final 20040726 Champia parvula Reproduction 5.15 4.29 6.64 Council

one fish was excluded from calculations - due to being Winter 2005 pp1122 final 20050131 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Survival > 100 stuck to the side of the beaker in 25% - rep. C

Winter 2005 pp1122 final 20050131 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Growth > 100 Strongylocentrotus Winter 2005 pp1122 final 20050131 Vizon SciTec Inc. Reproduction 18.35 14.64 19.99 purpuratus Saskatchewan Research Winter 2005 pp1122 final 20050131 Champia parvula Reproduction 5.02 2.79 6.39 Council Summer 2005 pp1122 final 20050808 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Survival > 100 Summer 2005 pp1122 final 20050808 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Growth > 100 Summer 2005 pp1122 final 20050808 Vizon SciTec Inc. Dendraster excentricus Reproduction 40.15 23.22 47.04 Saskatchewan Research Summer 2005 pp1122 final 20050808 Champia parvula Reproduction 4.28 3.72 4.66 Council

one fish was excluded from calculations - due to being Winter 2006 pp1122 final 20060612 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Survival > 100 stuck to the side of the beaker in 100% - rep. B

Winter 2006 pp1122 final 20060612 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Growth > 100 Winter 2006 pp1122 final 20060612 Vizon SciTec Inc. Dendraster excentricus Reproduction > 100 Saskatchewan Research Winter 2006 pp1122 final 20060612 Champia parvula Reproduction 6.53 4.27 7.78 Council one fish was excluded from calculations - due to being Summer 2006 pp1122 final 20061016 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Survival > 100 stuck to the side of the beaker in 100% - rep. B

Summer 2006 pp1122 final 20061016 Vizon SciTec Inc. Atherinops affinis Growth > 100 Currently being retested because controls failed the Summer 2006 pp1122 final 20061016 Vizon SciTec Inc. Reproduction minimum survival criteria. Saskatchewan Research Summer 2006 pp1122 final 20061016 Champia parvula Reproduction 3.27 2.8 4.03 Council Table A1.2 Catalyst Paper Corporation, Elk Falls Division - Calculation of geomeans and potential zones of sublethal effect.

Fish Invertebrate Algae Survival Growth Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 3 Cycle 4 Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 3 Cycle 4 Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 3 Cycle 4 Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 3 Cycle 4 LC50 LC50 LC50 LC50 EC25 EC25 EC25 EC25 IC25 IC25 IC25 IC25 IC25 IC25 IC25 IC25 - 67 67 100 - 67 67 100 18.9 37.04 1.31 13.71 - 12.36 4.97 8.88 68.5 67 67 100 68.5 67 67 100 6.2 18.65 23.76 54.18 6.3 32.38 3.71 5.15 68.2 68 67 100 68.2 68 67 100 1.5 25.89 12.72 18.35 4.1 18.49 8.94 5.02 69.9 67 100 34.9 67 100 0.5 10.65 40.15 5.5 6.92 4.28 67 100 67 100 22.80 100 19.91 6.53 100 100 100 100 28.86 retest 10.68 3.27 100 100 28.48 8.74 100 100 69.21 4.51

Geomean 68.8627 67.3317 77.8568 100 54.6303 67.3317 77.8568 100 3.06181 26.1513 16.4906 35.289 5.2179 19.487 7.45698 5.2517588

1% effluent zone (m) 250 3.63041 3.71296 3.21102 2.5 4.57622 3.71296 3.21102 2.5 81.651 9.55974 15.1601 7.08436 47.912 12.8291 33.5256 47.6031

Appendix A2

Intertidal Invertebrate Data

Figure A2.1 Output from power analyses of regressions to detect an “effect” (r = |0.707|) on mid-intertidal invertebrates using n=13 stations along the effluent exposure gradient, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

Table A2.1 Density of individual taxa (# organisms/m2), mid-intertidal invertebrate survey, Elk Falls EEM Cycle Four, June 2006.

EFI-1 EFI-2 EFI-4 Phylum Order Family REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 Arthropoda Decapoda Grapsidae 8 4 0 4 12 4 0 0 4 24 20 4 Xanthidae 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Paguridae 0 0 8 4 4 4 8 0 12 0 0 0 Porcellanidae 4 40 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Majidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Isopoda Sphaeromatidae 8 0 0 4 0 0 0 8 0 12 8 0 Idoteidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Amphipoda 20 24 4 28 120 4 0 8 16 0 0 52 Corophioidea Ampithoidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 Mollusca Patellogastropoda Lottiidae 28 20 16 0 0 4 20 0 20 60 120 204 Neotaenioglossa Cerithiidae Bittiinae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 Caenogastropoda Muricidae 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 4 16 8 0 Littorinidae 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 8 4 0 Buccinidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 4 Vetigastropoda Trochidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nudibranchia Onchidorididae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Unidentified Bivalvia (Class) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pholadomyoida Lyonsiidae 4 4 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Veneroida Tellinidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mytiloida Mytilidae 4 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ostreoida Anomiidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Polyplacophora (Class) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Neoloricata Leptochitonidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ischnochitonida Mopaliidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Annelida Phyllodocida Aphroditidae (Superfamily) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Glyceridae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Nephtyidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Terebellida Cirratulidae 4 0 0 0 12 0 12 0 4 0 0 12 Aciculata Eunicidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Nereididae 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 Spionida Spionidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Sabellida Serpulidae 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 Nemertea Unidentified 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Heteronemertea Lineidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Palaeonemertea Tubulanidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Platyhelminthes Polycladida 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cnidaria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Echinodermata Forcipulatida Asteriidae 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spinulosida Solasteridae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Echinoida Strongylocentrotidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 Porifera 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Notes: excludes colonial organisms that dominate the dataset (e.g., barnacles and spironid polychaetes), meiofauna (e.g., nematodes and harpacticoid copepods), and fish. Page 1 of 5 Table A2.1 Cont'd.

EFI-5 EFI-7 EFI-7A Phylum Order Family REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 Arthropoda Decapoda Grapsidae 20 20 8 12 52 56 84 36 16 12 12 8 Xanthidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Paguridae 4 4 8 8 0 8 0 4 16 0 0 4 Porcellanidae 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Majidae 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Isopoda Sphaeromatidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 Idoteidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Amphipoda 12 20 0 44 0 8 0 4 24 0 20 28 Corophioidea Ampithoidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mollusca Patellogastropoda Lottiidae 12 4 20 4 52 0 16 28 0 60 24 40 Neotaenioglossa Cerithiidae Bittiinae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Caenogastropoda Muricidae 4 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 Littorinidae 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 8 4 0 0 8 Buccinidae 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 12 0 0 0 0 Vetigastropoda Trochidae 0 0 0 0 4 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 Nudibranchia Onchidorididae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Unidentified Bivalvia (Class) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pholadomyoida Lyonsiidae 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Veneroida Tellinidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mytiloida Mytilidae 4 4 8 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 Ostreoida Anomiidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Polyplacophora (Class) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Neoloricata Leptochitonidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ischnochitonida Mopaliidae 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Annelida Phyllodocida Aphroditidae (Superfamily) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Glyceridae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nephtyidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Terebellida Cirratulidae 0 0 0 0 4 8 0 12 0 0 0 4 Aciculata Eunicidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nereididae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spionida Spionidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sabellida Serpulidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 28 Nemertea Unidentified 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Heteronemertea Lineidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Palaeonemertea Tubulanidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Platyhelminthes Polycladida 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cnidaria 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Echinodermata Forcipulatida Asteriidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spinulosida Solasteridae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Echinoida Strongylocentrotidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 12 0 Porifera 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

EFI-8 EFI-8A EFI-9 Phylum Order Family REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 Arthropoda Decapoda Grapsidae 16 24 8 52 16 12 28 20 20 8 12 8 Xanthidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Paguridae 0 4 0 0 0 0 28 8 0 0 0 0 Porcellanidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Majidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Isopoda Sphaeromatidae 0 0 0 8 28 0 12 80 0 0 0 0 Idoteidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Amphipoda 12 0 4 36 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 Corophioidea Ampithoidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mollusca Patellogastropoda Lottiidae 56 20 24 0 116 32 44 108 52 108 56 48 Neotaenioglossa Cerithiidae Bittiinae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Caenogastropoda Muricidae 0 0 8 20 0 0 0 4 0 8 0 0 Littorinidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 44 12 20 20 Buccinidae 0 0 4 0 12 8 4 28 0 0 0 0 Vetigastropoda Trochidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 Nudibranchia Onchidorididae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Unidentified Bivalvia (Class) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pholadomyoida Lyonsiidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 Veneroida Tellinidae 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mytiloida Mytilidae 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ostreoida Anomiidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Polyplacophora (Class) 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 Neoloricata Leptochitonidae 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ischnochitonida Mopaliidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Annelida Phyllodocida Aphroditidae (Superfamily) 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 Glyceridae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nephtyidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Terebellida Cirratulidae 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 Aciculata Eunicidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nereididae 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 Spionida Spionidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sabellida Serpulidae 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 Nemertea Unidentified 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Heteronemertea Lineidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Palaeonemertea Tubulanidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Platyhelminthes Polycladida 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cnidaria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Echinodermata Forcipulatida Asteriidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spinulosida Solasteridae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Echinoida Strongylocentrotidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Porifera 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

EFI-9A EFI-10 EFI-15 Phylum Order Family REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 Arthropoda Decapoda Grapsidae 28 24 8 0 16 8 12 16 44 8 36 24 Xanthidae 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 Paguridae 0 40 12 4 0 0 0 0 8 0 28 16 Porcellanidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Majidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Isopoda Sphaeromatidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 Idoteidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 0 0 0 Amphipoda 0 0 208 24 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 Corophioidea Ampithoidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mollusca Patellogastropoda Lottiidae 32 8 4 16 40 124 56 68 0 16 4 0 Neotaenioglossa Cerithiidae Bittiinae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Caenogastropoda Muricidae 4 4 8 0 0 0 4 0 8 0 0 12 Littorinidae 0 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Buccinidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 12 Vetigastropoda Trochidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 Nudibranchia Onchidorididae 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 Unidentified Bivalvia (Class) 0 0 4 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pholadomyoida Lyonsiidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Veneroida Tellinidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mytiloida Mytilidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ostreoida Anomiidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 Polyplacophora (Class) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Neoloricata Leptochitonidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ischnochitonida Mopaliidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Annelida Phyllodocida Aphroditidae (Superfamily) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Glyceridae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nephtyidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Terebellida Cirratulidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 Aciculata Eunicidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nereididae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 Spionida Spionidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sabellida Serpulidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 20 Nemertea Unidentified 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Heteronemertea Lineidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Palaeonemertea Tubulanidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 Platyhelminthes Polycladida 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cnidaria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Echinodermata Forcipulatida Asteriidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Spinulosida Solasteridae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Echinoida Strongylocentrotidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Porifera 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0

EFI-18A Phylum Order Family REP 1 REP 2 REP 3 REP 4 Arthropoda Decapoda Grapsidae 72 88 56 44 Xanthidae 0 0 0 0 Paguridae 0 0 0 0 Porcellanidae 0 0 0 0 Majidae 0 0 0 0 Isopoda Sphaeromatidae 0 8 0 0 Idoteidae 0 0 0 0 Amphipoda 84 120 80 84 Corophioidea Ampithoidae 0 0 4 0 Mollusca Patellogastropoda Lottiidae 0 0 0 0 Neotaenioglossa Cerithiidae Bittiinae 0 0 0 0 Caenogastropoda Muricidae 0 0 0 0 Littorinidae 0 0 0 0 Buccinidae 0 0 0 0 Vetigastropoda Trochidae 0 0 0 0 Nudibranchia Onchidorididae 0 0 0 0 Unidentified Bivalvia (Class) 0 0 0 0 Pholadomyoida Lyonsiidae 0 0 0 0 Veneroida Tellinidae 0 0 0 0 Mytiloida Mytilidae 0 0 0 0 Ostreoida Anomiidae 0 0 0 0 Polyplacophora (Class) 0 0 0 0 Neoloricata Leptochitonidae 0 0 0 0 Ischnochitonida Mopaliidae 0 0 0 0 Annelida Phyllodocida Aphroditidae (Superfamily) 0 0 0 0 Glyceridae 0 0 0 0 Nephtyidae 0 0 0 0 Terebellida Cirratulidae 0 0 0 0 Aciculata Eunicidae 0 0 0 0 Nereididae 0 0 0 0 Spionida Spionidae 0 0 0 0 Sabellida Serpulidae 0 0 0 0 Nemertea Unidentified 0 0 0 0 Heteronemertea Lineidae 0 0 0 0 Palaeonemertea Tubulanidae 0 0 0 0 Platyhelminthes Polycladida 0 0 0 0 Cnidaria 0 0 0 0 Echinodermata Forcipulatida Asteriidae 0 0 0 0 Spinulosida Solasteridae 0 0 0 0 Echinoida Strongylocentrotidae 0 0 0 0 Porifera 0 0 0 0

Notes: excludes colonial organisms that dominate the dataset (e.g., barnacles and spironid polychaetes), meiofauna (e.g., nematodes and harpacticoid copepods), and fish. Page 5 of 5

Appendix A3

Laboratory Reports for Water Analyses

Table A3.1 Results of Analysis.

Project EF1128 Water Analysis Report to Hatfield Consultants Ltd. ALS File No. X7895 Date Received 6/26/2006 Date: 7/11/2006

RESULTS OF ANALYSIS

Sample ID EFI-10 EFI-4 EFI-1 EFI-2 EFI-5 EFI-18 EFI-7 EFI-8 EFI-7A EFI-8A EFI-9 EFI-9A EFI-15 TRAVEL BLANK Date Sampled 6/23/2006 6/23/2006 6/23/2006 6/23/2006 6/23/2006 6/24/2006 6/24/2006 6/24/2006 6/24/2006 6/24/2006 6/24/2006 6/24/2006 6/24/2006 Time Sampled 8:30 9:30 11:30 12:00 13:00 8:30 9:30 10:15 10:45 11:15 11:45 12:30 13:00 ALS Sample ID 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Nature Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Water

Physical Tests Salinity o/oo 29.9 29.9 28.9 29.3 29.4 28.0 28.8 28.7 28.9 28.9 29.6 30.1 28.4 -

Nutrients Nitrate Nitrogen N 0.10 <0.10 0.14 0.14 0.19 <0.10 0.18 0.14 0.21 0.12 0.14 <0.10 <0.10 <0.0050

Footnotes: Results are expressed as milligrams per litre except where noted. Footnotes: < = Less than the detection limit indicated. Footnotes: Salinity results are expressed as parts per thousand (o/oo). Table A3.2 Detection Limits.

Project EF1128 Water Analysis Report to Hatfield Consultants Ltd. ALS File No. X7895 Date Received 6/26/2006 Date: 7/11/2006

DETECTION LIMITS

Physical Tests Salinity o/oo 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 -

Nutrients Nitrate Nitrogen N 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.0050 Table A3.2 Units.

Project EF1128 Water Analysis Report to Hatfield Consultants Ltd. ALS File No. X7895 Date Received 6/26/2006 Date: 7/11/2006

UNITS

Physical Tests Salinity o/oo o/oo o/oo o/oo o/oo o/oo o/oo o/oo o/oo o/oo o/oo o/oo o/oo o/oo -

Nutrients Nitrate Nitrogen N mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L Table A3.3 Replicate Results.

Project EF1128 Water Analysis Report to Hatfield Consultants Ltd. ALS File No. X7895 Date Received 6/26/2006 Date: 7/11/2006

Duplicate Results

Sample ID EFI-2 EFI-2 RPD % Date Sampled 6/23/2006 QC# 508444 Time Sampled 12:00 ALS Sample ID 4 Nature Water

Nutrients Nitrate Nitrogen N 0.14 0.13 7.41