FACT SHEET ON THE STATE OF THE MARINE DFO 1m1111111mr· 07013412 ENVIRONMENT OF THE ST. LAWRENCE

CONTAMINATION OF BAIE DES ANGLAIS

Baie des Anglais, located near Baie-Comeau, is currently Baie des Anglais sediments. In 1983, an environmental one of the most serious known cases of coastal conta­ impact assessment study conducted by the mination by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Canadian Reynolds Metals Company (CRMC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the prior to planned expansion of its port facilities, St. Lawrence Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. revealed the importance of the PCB contamination. Maximal PCB concentrations as high as 27.4 µg of PBCs and Furans PCB/ g of sediment were measured in sediments to be In 1982, sediment analysis of samples obtained during dredged from Anse du Moulin, whereas concentra­ The whelk, Buccinum maintenance dredging operations around the Cargill tions measured in surficial sediments of the Gulf of undatum. company's wharves indicated the presence of PCBs in St. Lawrence are approximately 0.01 µgig. Recently, researchers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Ministere de !'Environnement et de la Faune du Quebec (Quebec Ministry of the Environment and Wildlife) have measured levels of furans, which can be present as impurities in com­ mercial PCB mixtures, in Bay sediments. These are among the highest reported in Canada.

PAHs It was not until 1989 that further analyses, this time done by the Ministere de !'Environnement du Quebec, now the Ministere de !'Environnement et de la Faune du Quebec (MEF), showed that QH PAHs were present in Baie des Anglais 541. 5 sediments. Liquid effluents from the .S3 CRMC were identified as the main source F48 of this PAH contamination. As with 4E PCBs, the most heavily contaminated sedi­ ments came from Anse du Moulin .

Fisheries and Oceans Peches et Oceans ••• Canada Canada Canada BACKGROUND In general, rhe mean level of PCB contamination in rhe Bay seems co have diminished since the early PCBs 1980s, probably a consequence of the lagoon In the early 1980s, a survey conducted by rhe MEF resrauration and remedial actions taken by the indicated that the PCBs present i Baie des Anglais plant. sediments originated from oil leakages in the hydraulic system of the vertical casting facility in the PAHs CRMC aluminum smelter. Before being discharged Direct PAH discharge in the Reynolds Company's into Anse du Moulin, contaminated effluents from liquid effluents gradually diminished from 1984 co the plant were channelled through a lagoon (setrling 1989, because of the installation of dry scrubbers for basin) where a portion of rhe parricle-bound PCBs gases from the por rooms and anode preparation cen­ would sercle our. An analysis of sediment samples tre. It finally sropped in 1992, after a closed circuit from the lagoon revealed PCB 'concenrrations as cooling system was installed for the briquettes. In high as 9500 µgig. In 1986, hor ever, rhe lagoon addition, the aluminum and Donohue pulp and was restored, eliminating chis source of PCB paper plan ts participate in consultation efforts releases to the Bay. In addition, between 19 85 established by the Baie-Comeau ZIP committee. and 1990, the CRMC implemented various mea­ Activities of this committee fit inro the framework sures to eliminate rhe risk of PCB losses co the of rhe Zones of Primary Intervention program, environment. known as ZIP program, Community Involvement component of St. Lawrence Vision 2000. In 1988, following rhe rescorarion of this lagoon, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (D FO), within the framework of an ecoroxicology moni­ toring program for fish habitats, identified two sites heavily contaminated with PCBs which were BAIE DES ANGLAIS contamination sources for the Baie des Anglais. Anse du Moulin, which in part received rhe residual Baie des Anglais is situated near Baie-Comeau contaminated effluents from rhe smelrer, repre­ on the north shore of rhe Lower St. Lawrence sented the main contamination source for the Bay. The secondary source, located off rhe wharves of Estuary (Figure 1), approximately 350 kilome­ the Reynolds plant, consisted of the disposal sire tres norrheast of Quebec Ciry. This small Bay is for the cove's dredge sediments. bounded by Sr. Gilles Point co the southwest and by St. Pancrace Point to the northeast. The Map of 2 Ba1e des Angla1s Bay covers a coral area of about 11 km , most of 1 which (10 km ) is over 40 metres deep, with a maximum depth of l 00 metres. Anse du 2 Moulin, with an area of roughly 0.09 km , lies on rhe west side of Baie des Anglais. Most of the cove is less than 7 metres deep, except for the area around the port facilities, where a depth of about 10 metres is maintained through dredging. Riviere aux Anglais empties into the Bay 500 metres north of Anse du Baie des Anglais Moulin.

Saint-Gilles Point ~ · -

• 1 ""' '---' FIGURE 1 Map of Baie des An glais, showing Anse du Moulin, Saint­ Pancrace Point, Saint-G illes Point and 1he location of the three main industrial plants : CRMC 1Canachan Reynolds Metals Co . Ltd), Donohue (Donohue QUNO lnr paper mill) and Cargill (Cargill Ltd grain comp,m y). II PC Bs

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemical PCB congeners. In North America, they are identified by the compounds consisting of two phenyl nuclei with varying num­ trade name Arodor. On July 1, 1980, the use of PCBs was pro­ bers and arrangements of chlorine and hydrogen atoms. Some hibited in the manufacture of products in Canada. The use of 209 PCB molecules exist, called congeners, which are subdivided these compounds is restricted to existing hermetically sealed into 10 homolog groups, each composed of congeners with one electric and hydraulic systems. to ten chlorine atoms. PCBs possess excellent thermal and chemical stability and are resistant to both oxidation and PCBs are very persistent in the environment and some of them reduction; they also possess good dielectric (insulating) proper­ are virtually non-biodegradable. In the aquatic environment, ties, are virtually insoluble in water, are non-flammable and these substances tend to bind to suspended particles. have a strong affinity for lipids (fat soluble). Due to these Depending on ambient hydrodynamic conditions, the sus­ properties, they have been widely used, since about 1930, as pended particles may be deposited on the seabed, and accu­ hydraulic fluids, coolants (heat exchange systems) and dielec­ mulate in the sediments. PCBs, which have varying toxicities, tric fluids (electrical transformers and capacitors), as well as in depending on the number and position of their constituent the manufacture of many everyday products such as rubbers, chlorine atoms, can accumulate in fatty tissues of marine lubricants, synthetic resins, plastics, paints, glues, waxes, tex­ organisms. Some of the compounds can impair the organisms' tiles, inks, road dust control agents and insecticide spray sol­ immune system, their growth and reproduction, or cause various vents. Commercial PCB products consist of a mixture of many cancers.

PAHs

The family of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) con­ quantities of PAH to the aquatic environment through tains some 100 molecules which are differentiated by the atmospheric fallout. Some PAHs, particularly those with a number and positions of their aromatic rings. Natural sources high molecular weight, are almost insolvable in water and of PAHs consist mainly of forest and grass fires, and volcanic tend to bind to the surface of suspended particles, eventually activity. In highly industrialized areas, human activities gen­ accumulating in sediments, which represent the main sink of erate the largest quantities of these substances. Petroleum PAHs in water bodies. A number of PAHs have muragenic spills and industrial and municipal discharges result in direct properties, and bmzo(a)pyrene has been identified as being a inputs of PAHs to the aquatic environment. Incomplete fo s­ potential carcinogen. Some PAHs concentrate in invertebrate sil fuel combustion in the residential hearing and transporta­ tissues and can thus be transferred up the food chain. tion sectors, waste incineration, reduction smelting of alumi­ Although PAHs do not accumulate in vertebrate tissues, na to produce aluminum by the Soderberg process, and cat· enzymes can break these compounds down, releasing degra­ alytic cracking of crude petroleum all release substantial dation products which may be toxic.

DIOXINS AND FURANS

Dioxins and furans are two families of compounds with very The Donohue paper mill, which releases its effluents into similar chemical compositions. These chlorinated compounds Baie des Anglais, does not employ this industrial process. are thermally stable, resistant to biodegradation, nearly insoluble Commercial PCB mixtures also represent a potential source in water, but are fat soluble; they also have a strong affinity to of dioxins and furans as impurities. Furthermore, when com­ sediments. There are 75 dioxin congeners and 135 furan con­ mercial PCB mixtures containing furans as impurities are geners which normally occur together in the environment as used as a coolant, heat exposure can lead to the formation of complex mixtures. Forest fires and volcanoes are the two natural furan concentrations hundreds of rimes higher than the sources of dioxins and furans. The most important sources, original fluid. Dioxins and furans can be highly toxic; labo­ however, are anthropogenic ones : chemicals for wood ratory rests have shown that some of these substances can preservation (pemachlorophenol), municipal and industrial cause congenital malformations and cancers, as well as impair waste incinerators, commercial chemical manufacturing reproduction and immune system functioning. plants, and pulp and paper mills which use a chlorine bleaching process.

II THE MAIN CONTAMINANTS OF BAIE DES ANCLAIS

In addition to PCBs and PAHs, other potential However, an important difference between sedi­ contaminants such as metals (lead, cadmium, cop­ ment granulometry or carbon content of compared per, zinc and mercury), dioxins and furans have sectors would also explain the large differences been analysed in surficial sediments and marine observed. organisms of Baie des Anglais. In 1995, metal* and dioxin concentrations measured in surface sedi­ Otherwise, PCB, dioxin and furan concentrations ments from the Bay were generally equal to or lower measured in whole whelks were below the Canadian than those measured in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Guideline for Contaminants for Fish and Fish On the other hand, PCB, PAH an4 furan levels in the Products, established by Health Canada. Bay's surface sediments were respectively app roxirnate­ ly 40, 20, and 4 times higher than those measured in the Estuary and the Gulf (Table 1). *Unpublished daca from C. Gobeil, Maurice Lamontagne Institute.

TABLE 1 Mean concentrations of organic contaminants in surface sediments and whole whelks from Baie des Anglais compared to concentrations measured in the Gulf of St. Lawrence's surface sediments and to the consumption guideline of Health Canada. Numbers shown in parentheses are standard errors of the means.

PCB PAH Dioxins Furans (µgig) (µgig) (pg/g ) (pg/g)

Baie des Anglais sediments (1995) 0,38 (± 0 ,21) 21 (± 18) 92 (± 14) 338 (± 227 )

Gulf of St. Lawrence sediments (1995) 0,01 (± 0,005) 0,5-1,01 209 (± 41 ) 87 (± 18)

Baie des Anglais whelks 0, 19' (± 0 ,02) 0,03l (± 0,01) 1,84 (± 0,02)

Guideline2 2,0 205

1 Range of concentrations generally measured in the Sr. Lawrence Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1987. 2 Canadian Guideline for Contaminants in Fish and Fish Products (Health Canada). 3 Data of 1995. 4 Concentration expressed in toxic equivalent 2,3,7,8-T4CDD (nglkg wet weight) for dioxins and furans and measured in 1991. 5 Health Canada Guideline for 2,3,7,8-T4 DD (ng/kg wet weight). - Missing data. Sources Sediments (dry weight) : Lebeuf et al. 1996; Gearing et al. 1994; Unpublished data from M. Lebcuf and K Lee, Instirut Maurice-Lamontagne. Whelks (wet weight) : SNC Lavalin 1996; Brochu et al. 1995.

II DOES THIS CONTAMINATION POSE A THREAT TO THE ST. LAWRENCE ESTUARY?

Until very recently, the extent of the contamination At stations 7, 8, 9 and 10, beginning over 11 kilo­ problem and its impact on the Lower St. Lawrence metres away from the reference point opposire Estuary had generated very little research. In 1995, Anse du Moulin, total PCB concentrations were scientists of Maurice Lamontagne Institute and the found to be similar to those observed for the MEF conducted PCB, dioxin and furan analyses Estuary as a whole and slightly higher than Gulf on surface sediment samples collected along a 58 kilo­ concentrations. Although the contamination situa­ metre transect. This transect extended from a reference tion in Baie des Anglais appears to have Ii ttle effect point located in front of Anse du Moulin in Baie des on the Estuary, a part of the PCBs present in Estuary Anglais to the middle of the Lower St. Lawrence sediments might come from Baie des Anglais. Estuary (Figure 2). Highest total PCB concentrations were measured at the five stations located in the In the 1995 study, the researchers also compared Bay (Stations 1 to 5). These were 20 to 100 times the relative proportions of the different dioxin and higher than those observed in Gulf of St. Lawrence furan homolog groups detected in the sediments surface sediments at the same period. The impor­ from each station along the transect. They observed tant variability of PCB concentrations in surface that concentrations of some furan specific compounds sediments collected within Baie des Anglais might (congeners) measured at stations located in Baie des be explained by the possible difference in the Bay's Anglais, notably 2,3,7, 8-T4CDF, are among the sediment granulometry or carbon content, dredging highest reported in Canada. However, the main activities or intense mixing events which occurred in results suggest that furan contamination of Baie des some sectors and are caused by wave, storm, and Anglais likely has little impact on the St. Lawrence current action. Estuary.

68°20' 68°00' 67°40' 67°20'

O 10 km I I

FIGURE2 Total PCB 49°20' concentrations in surface Baie des Anglais sediments (0-3 cm) -~--- collected along a 58 kilometre transect. Stations are numerated from 1 to 10. 49°1 O' §lI Sources : /"' ce E.stuatY Lebeuf et al. 1996 J ct \_a~ren . and unpublished data l.9)N'e'r ~ . ' from M. Lebeuf, Maurice Lamontagne Institute. II HUMAN HEALTH RISKS? EFFECTS ON MARINE ORGANISMS?

PCB, PAH and furan concentrations higher than Although the risk to human health may appear those observed in the St. Lawren e Estuary and the low, Baie des Anglais sediments are contaminated Gulf of St. Lawrence have been detected in Baie with significant PCB, PAH and furan levels, posing des Anglais sediments, with the highest values a potential threat to the marine organisms there. observed in Anse du Moulin. However, marine organisms associated with these setliments showed At the Maurice Lamontagne Institute, investigations contaminant levels below the Can~dian Guideline are currently under way on the effects of contami­ for Contaminants in Fish and Fish Products for nants on the physiology and biochemistry of human consumption, except fof the blue mussel marine fish. Researchers have already detected (Mytilus edulis) population of An~e du Moulin. In anomalies in the reproductive and immune systems 1995, high mean concentrations of PCBs and PAHs of American plaices (Hippoglossoides platessoides) were detected in the tissue of those mussels : 5 µg of which were exposed to contaminated sediments PCBs/g and 10 µg of PAHs/g. In from Baie des Anglais. January 1997, the North Shore Public Health Branch reminded local residents of the need to respect formulated recommendations for Baie des Anglais sector in the guide entitled Contamination des produits de la peche dans la region de Baie-Comeau, in order to limit exposure to chemical contaminants. lll01ilrat1om L, ( omvcall'

Laboratory experiment of marine organisms exposed to contaminated sediments J II RESEARCH AT THE MAURICE LAMONTAGNE INSTITUTE ON THE CONTAMINATION SITUATION OF BAIE DES ANCLAIS

Scientists of the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (MU) industrial effluent discharge zones, the impact of con­ from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) taminants on fish health, as well as sediment quality, are currently involved in various research projects on and prediction of contaminant bioaccumulation in the quality of the marine environment in the St. Lawrence benthic organisms and groundfish species. Most of these Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, including the studies are being carried out under the St. Lawrence contamination status of Baie des Anglais. The main Vision 2000 action plan and DFO Toxic Chemicals studies in the Bay area deal with fish contamination in Program.

~

Sediment sampling -f in Ba te des Angla1<; ~ using a grab. ~

GLOSSARY

.An.ode: electrode used in the aluminum fabrication. Homolog group : group of chemical compounds which have the same number of chlorine atoms, but with vary­ .Bent-hie organism : aquatic organism that lives in con­ ing positions between molecules. tact with bottom sediments. nglkg: nanograrn (one billionth of a gram = l 0 9 gram) of .Benzo(a)pyrene: a 5-cycle PAH with known carcino- . . a substance per kilogram of sediment or biological mass. gentc propemes. pglg: picogram (one thousandth of a billion of a gram = 10'12 .Bioaccumu/,ation : process whereby some aquatic organisms gram) of a substance per gram of sediment or biological accumulate chemicals directly from ambiant water and mass. sediments or through food containing chemicals. pglg: microgram (one millionth of a gram = l 0 6 gram) Congener: a compound belonging to a chemical group, of a substance per gram of sediment or biological mass. each member of which is derived from the same basic chemical structure, for example, the different PCB com­ 2,3, 7,8-T4CDF : tetrachlorodibenzofuran which pos­ pounds are congeners. sesses 4 chlorine atoms located in positions 2,3,7 and 8. Grab: instrument used co collect sediments. 2,3,7,8-T4CDD: tetrachlorodibenzodioxin which pos­ sesses 4 chlorine atoms located in positions 2,3, 7 and 8.

II QH 541.5 .83 F48 4E Maurice Lamontagne Insti .. Contamination of Baie des Angla is 212163 07013412 c.1 FACT SHEET ON THE STATE OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ST. lAWRENCT

These fact sheets are intended to provide infor­ mation and disseminate the results of scientific research on the state of the marine environ· ment of the St. Lawrence. They present specific environmental issues or the results of environ­ mental research conducted by the Maurice Lamontagne Institute. They are intended for environmental managers and decision-makers, non-government organizations (NGOs), indus­ try, the media and the general public. They are published on an ad hoc basis.

In the same series : Aerial census of the St. Lawrence Beluga population Maurice Mercury contamination of Northern shrimp Lamontagne ~ g in the Saguenay Fjord Institute "' PAHs in the Saguenay Fjord Mont-Joli , 0 Quebel. ~

BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR MORE INFORMATION ...

Brochu, C., S. Moore and E. Pelletier. 1995. Polychlorinated dibenw-p­ For more informauon on the contamination situation of dioxins and dibenwfurans in sediments and biota of the St. Lawrence Baie des Anglais, readers should consult the reference docu­ Estuary. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 30 : 515-523. ments listed below or contact the Communications Service of the Maurice Lamontagne Institute at (418) 775-0526. Gearing, J. N., P. J. Gearing, M. Noel and J. N. Smith. 1994. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the St. Lawrence General Info rm at ion Estuary. In: R. van Coillie, Y. Roy, Y. Bois, P. G. C. Campbell, P. Lundahl, L. Martel, M. Michaud, P. Riebel et C. Thellen [eds]. Maurice Lamontagne Institute Proceedings of the 20th Annual Aquatic Toxicology Conference, Fisheries and Oceans Canada 850 Route de la Mer October 17-21, 1993, Quebec, Quebec. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. P.O. Box 1000 Aquat. Sci. 1989 : 331 p. Mont-Joli, Quebec Canada GSH 3Z4 Lebeuf, M., S. Moore and C. Brochu. 1996. The influence of Telephone : (418) 775-0500 PCBs and PCDFs in the sediments ofBaie des Anglais on the Lower Fax : (418) 775·0542 St. Lawrence Estuary. Organohalogen Compounds 28 : 243-248.

Ministere des Affaires sociales du Quebec (MAS), ministere de Egalement disponible en fran~ais !'Environnement du Quebec (MENVIQ) in collaboration with the Centre de toxicologie du Quebec (CTQ). 1984. Contamination ©Minister of Supply and Services Canada 1997 Cat. No. Fs23-306/1997E des produits de la peche clans I~ region de Baie-Comeau. ISBN 0-662-25286-1 Contamination par !es biphenyles polychlores. Intoxication paralysante par !es mollusques, 12 p. April 1997

Fisheries and Oceans Peches et Oceans SNC Lavalin Environnement inc. 1996. Caracterisation biologique de l+I Canada Canada la baie des Anglais. For the Canadian Reynolds Metals Company. Science Sciences II