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4. Results

The results and the variable criterion are combined to simplify the report to be able to compare results to stress levels. The summary results are reported in table format for each site and for each season. The results are separated into four data sets by season. The extreme outliers, more than three standard deviations are removed, using a 95% confidence level.

Site location names are abbreviated as follows: DM = DeMamiel, M = Martins, and, PH = Potholes. The seasons include Fall = Fall 1999, Winter = Winter 1999/2000, Spring = Spring 2000, and, Summer = Summer 2000. The summary descriptive statistics are listed.

N = number of observations

Min = minimum value

Max = maximum value

Mean = the average

Range = maximum value minus minimum value

STD = standard deviation

4.1 Water Parameters

The parameters that affect the health and development of fish species include physical, chemical, and ionic characteristics of the water. Adverse conditions can affect both physical morphological development and biochemical metabolism of the species. This section includes the results and the stress levels criterion. The primary reference is the BC Guidelines for Interpreting Water Quality Data (1998) and the secondary reference is the Summary of Water Quality Criteria for Salmonid Hatcheries (1983) compiled by Sigma Environmental Consultants Ltd.

4.2 General Parameters

The general parameters of interest include water flow, water and air temperature, dissolved oxygen, dissolved carbon dioxide, and, pH.

4.2.1 Water Flow

The water flow or discharge is a measure of the volume of water over time. The floating object method was used in this study. The units of measure are reported in cubic meters per second (m³/s). The minimum flow requirements for salmonids vary depending on the stage of the life cycle. The results are reported in Table 15.

The total range of the water flow is 0.00 to 905 m³/s.

4.2.2 Water and Air Temperature

The ambient temperature is a measure of kinetic energy in the water column and is measured in �C Celsius. The maximum weekly averages of water temperature should not exceed 18 to 19�C for adult salmonids, 8 to 10�C for spawning, and, 13 to 15�C for embryo survival. The minimum water temperature should not fall below 3�C for incubation and 4�C for rearing (Sigma, 1983).

In addition to ambient water temperature criteria, water temperature also affects the amount of dissolved gases and other substances in the water. Lower water temperatures increase the amount of dissolved gas. Higher water temperatures increase the amount of dissolved substances in the water. Aquatic life is sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. The results are reported in Table 16.

The total range of the water temperature is 2.0 to 18.0�C.

The ambient air temperature results are reported in Table 17.

The total range of the air temperature is 1.9 to 15.6�C.

4.2.3 Dissolved Gases

The concentration of dissolved gas in the water is dependent on temperature and barometric air pressure. This section includes dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide. One could also examine the total gas pressure where high gas pressure is a concern.

4.2.3.1 Dissolved Oxygen

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is a measure of the concentration of O₂ molecules in the water. DO can be measured in mg/L or as a percent saturation and is reported as mg/L. The amount of DO in the water is increased by mixing and decreased by biological oxygen demand or organisms consuming oxygen in the water column. The DO was measured with the electrochemical multi-meter and the results are reported as mg/L.

The minimum oxygen requirements for salmon range from 9 to 11 mg/L, depending on the stage development. The results are reported in Table 18.

The total range of the dissolved oxygen is 7.3 to 13.7 mg/L.

4.2.3.2 Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Dioxide is a measure of the dissolved CO₂ gas in the water. The concentration of CO₂ was measured by titration and is reported in mg/L. The maximum concentration of CO₂ should not exceed 20 mg/L (Sigma, 1983). High concentrations of CO₂ decrease pH and increase the potential for ammonia toxicity (ibid). The results are reported in Table 19.

The total range of carbon dioxide is 9.6 to 36.1 mg/L.

4.2.4 pH

pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in the water. pH is reported as an inverse log with a scale ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic). Therefore, a small change in the pH reflects a tenfold magnitude of change in the ambient environment. PH was measured with the electrochemical multi-meter. The minimum and maximum ranges of pH for aquatic life should be between pH 6.5 to 9.0. Lethal effects may occur when pH is less than pH 4.5 or greater than pH 9.5. The results are reported in Table 20.

The total range of the pH is pH 5.1 to 7.6.

4.3 General Water Quality Parameters

This section covers three broad general parameters and includes conductivity, turbidity, and, hardness that are considered to be general water quality indicators.

4.3.1 Conductivity

Conductivity is a measure of the dissolved ions in the water and is reported in microsiemens per centimeter (�s/cm) as specific conductivity at 25�C. Conductivity can be related to the amount of dissolved solids in the water. An increase in temperature by 1% increases the conductivity by 2% (Sigma, 1983). Conductivity was measured with the electrochemical multi-meter.

The BC Guidelines does not specify criterion for conductivity; however, the range may be 50 to 1500 �s. High variability may be attributable to both natural and anthropogenic influences. The results are reported in Table 21.

The total range of specific conductivity is 21.6 to 1680.3 �s/cm. Extreme outliers were removed from the data set for the summer period for the DeMamiel site location.

4.3.2 Turbidity

Turbidity is an optical measurement of the total suspended solids in the water and is measured with the colorimeter. The turbidity units of measure in this study are reported as formazin suspension units or FAU whereas turbidity is usually reported in nephelometric turbidity units (NTU). While similar, the units are not exactly interchangeable. The BC Guideline suggests 5 NTU maximum for aquatic life. The results are reported in Table 22.

The total range in turbidity is 0.0 to 15.0 FAU. Higher turbidity occurs after rain events.

4.3.3 Hardness

Hardness is usually a measure of the dissolved divalent cations, primarily calcium and magnesium and is reported in mg/L. Waters with values exceeding 120 mg/L are considered hard, and waters with hardness values less than 60 mg/L are considered soft.

Hardness was measured as a concentration of calcium as Ca²⁺ by completing a titration to measure calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). The measure of CaCO₃ can also be related back to total hardness, alkalinity and acidity. The BC Guidelines do not define criterion for aquatic life. They do suggest that the optimal ranges for drinking water is 80 to 100 mg/L, >200 mg/L is tolerably poor, and that >500 mg/L requires treatment. Hardness does have an impact on the toxicity of other dissolved substances in the water, such as heavy metals, nutrients, and, low pH tolerance (Sigma, 1983). The results are reported in Table 23.

The total range of hardness is 3.2 to 132.0 mg/L. It was observed that there appeared to be a direct relationship between high levels of hardness and high measurements of specific conductivity during the study.

4.4 Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients. Excess nutrients can lead to eutrophication, algae blooms, reduction in dissolved oxygen, and have a negative impact on fish habitat. Conversely, lack of nutrients can deplete the productivity of the biological ecosystem. This section includes nitrate, nitrite, nitrogen ammonia, and, phosphorus.

4.4.1 Nitrate

Nitrate (NO₃^-) is a measurement of the most oxidized and stable form of nitrogen in water. Nitrate is the primary form of nitrogen used by plants. The maximum level is 200 mg/L with an average of 40 mg/L. Nitrate was measured as NO₃^-N by colorimetric analysis and is reported in mg/L. The results are reported in Table 24.

The total range of nitrate is 0 to 0.31 mg/L.

4.4.2 Nitrite

Nitrite (NO₂^-) is a measurement of an intermediate unstable form of nitrogen that is either oxidized to nitrate by nitrification or reduced to nitrogen gas by de-nitrification. This form of nitrogen can also be used by plants. The maximum concentration of nitrite for aquatic life is 0.06 mg/L when chloride < 2 mg/L. Low concentrations of nitrite can be toxic to fish. Nitrite was measured as NO₂^- by colorimetric analysis and is reported in mg/L. The results are reported in Table 25.

The total range of nitrite is 0 to 0.023 mg/L.

4.4.3 Nitrogen Ammonia

Nitrogen Ammonia (NH₃-N) is a measure of the reduced organic form of nitrogen in water and contributes to the nitrogen cycle. Excess amounts can cause algae blooms and have a negative impact of fish habitat by reducing DO. Criterion levels are linked to temperature and pH. The nitrogen ammonia was measured as NH₃-N by colorimetric analysis and the results are reported in Table 26.

The total range of nitrogen ammonia is 0 to 0.6 mg/L.

4.4.4 Phosphorus

Phosphorus (P) is an essential plant nutrient, and is often the limiting factor for system productivity. The BC Guidelines suggest a criterion of 5 to15 �g/L for aquatic life at spring overturn. The Sigma document suggests a maximum of 50 �g/L in streams; furthermore, concentrations as low as 10 �g/L can cause algal growth rates. The phosphorus was measured as reactive or orthophosphate (PO₄ ^3-) by colorimetric analysis and is reported in mg/L in Table 27.

The total range of phosphorus is 0.00 to 0.33 mg/L.

4.5 Other Ions

Ions are molecules, which may contain one or more elements, and carry an overall negative or positive charge to the molecule. Ions are dissolved in the water to a maximum solubility or K_sp that is dependent on temperature, and concentrations of other substances.

4.5.1 Anions

Anions are dissolved ions, which have an overall negative charge to the molecule. This section includes fluoride, sulphate, and, sulphide.

4.5.2 Fluoride

Fluoride (F^-) is a measure of the dissolved F^- ion in the water. The BC Guidelines suggest a maximum concentration of 0.2 to 0.3 mg/L depending on whether the hardness is 50 mg/L for aquatic life. Sigma suggests that levels of 2.3 to 7.5 mg/L can be toxic to fish. The fluoride was measured as F^- by colorimetric analysis and the results are reported as mg/L in Table 28.

The total range of fluoride is 0.0 to 0.23 mg/L.

4.5.3 Sulphate

Sulphate (SO₄ ^2-) is a naturally occurring anion in surface waters. Sulphate is not usually a parameter of concern, and the BC Guidelines do not include the stress level criterion. Sigma suggests that the US Environmental Protection Agency recommends a maximum of 250 mg/L. Sulphate was measured by colorimetric analysis and is reported in mg/L in Table 29.

The total range for sulphate is 0.0 to > 70.0 mg/L. It is important to note that several extreme outliers were excluded from the data set. The high test results for sulphate appeared to correlate with high levels of calcium carbonate and conductivity during several recorded events. High levels of calcium carbonate are known to interfere with the sulphate test by forming a white precipitate, which elevates the instrument reading based on the optical properties of the colorimetric analysis.

4.5.4 Sulphide

Sulphide (S^2-) is a measure that can be related to hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), which can be toxic to aquatic life in minute quantities. Sulphide was not identified in the BC Guidelines. Sigma suggests that concentrations of undissociated H₂S in excess of 2 �g/L would constitute a long term hazard to fish. The sulphide was measured as S^2- by colorimetric analysis in mg/L and is reported in Table 30.

The total range of sulphide is 0.00 to 0.03 mg/L.

4.6 Other Substances

This section includes other specific inorganic substances of interest and includes bromine, chlorine, silica, and tannin.

4.6.1 Bromine

Bromine (Br₂) is not discussed in either the BC Manual reference or the Sigma reference. The Br₂ was measured by colorimetric analysis in mg/L and is reported in Table 31.

The total range of bromine is 0.00 to 0.12 mg/L.

4.6.2 Chlorine

Chlorine (Cl₂) can be a measure of the total chlorine. Chlorine dissociates in the water and reacts with other substances that can be quite harmful to fish. The Total Residual Chlorine concentrations should not exceed 2 �g/L for continuous exposure and 40 �g/L for intermittent exposure (Sigma, 1983). The total chlorine was measured by colorimetric analysis in mg/L and is reported in Table 32.

The total range of chlorine is 0.00 to 0.02 mg/L.

4.6.3 Silica

Silica (Si) is naturally occurring and is not discussed in the BC Manual reference and it is s not a major concern in the Sigma document. Even so, Si can be related to siltation and possibly correlated to other naturally occurring substances [with further study], such as aluminosilicates (Sigma, 1983). Si is measured by colorimetric analysis in mg/L and is reported in Table 33.

The total range of silica is 0.8 to 2.9 mg/L.

4.6.4 Tannin and Lignin

The tannin and lignin test is a measure of tannic acid, which is often a product of the decomposition of coarse woody debris. This is not discussed in the BC or Sigma reference documents. Tannin was measured by colorimetric analysis in mg/L and is reported in Table 34.

The total range of tannin is 0.0 to 1.3 mg/L.

4.7 Metals

This section covers metals and trace metals and includes aluminum, chromium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and, zinc. The availability, speciation, and, toxicity of different concentrations of metals and trace metals varies depending on the acidity of the water and the presence of other substances.

4.7.1 Aluminum

Aluminum (Al) is a soft white metal that is naturally occurring in water in either the total or the dissolved state. Dissolved aluminum should not exceed 0.1 mg/L in pH 6.5. Aluminum can in some instances, be liberated from naturally occurring substances in conditions of low pH (Sigma, 1983). Furthermore, the solubility of aluminum is strongly influenced by silica, fluoride, and other complexing agents (ibid.). The aluminum was measured by colorimetric analysis in mg/L and is reported in Table 35.

The total range of aluminum is 0.000 to 0.053 mg/L.

4.7.2 Chromium

Chromium (Cr) is rarely occurs naturally and forms a variety of complexations that can be harmful to plants, animals and humans. The BC criteria suggest the maximum total chromium of 26 to 110 �g/g in sediment samples for lowest effects level to severe effects level, respectively. Hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) impairs growth of juvenile salmon at concentrations of 0.2 mg/L (Sigma, 1983). The chromium was measured as hexavalent chromium by colorimetric analysis in mg/L and is reported in Table 36.

The total range of hexavalent chromium is 0.00 to 0.12 mg/L.

4.7.3 Copper

Copper (Cu) is naturally occurring in trace amounts, usually less than 1 to 10 �g/L. There have been extensive studies done on the toxicity of the different forms of copper. The stress thresholds depend on the hardness of the water measured as CaCO_3. The Sigma document suggests the following maximum allowable concentrations:

The copper was measured by colorimetric analysis in �g/L and is reported in Table 37.

The total range of copper is 0.0 to 5.5 �g/L.

4.7.4 Iron

Iron (Fe) exists in water in several forms, including dissolved, complexed and ferrous ion (Fe²⁺). Total iron is oxidized to ferric iron, which can precipitate into fine particles. The BC Guidelines suggest a criterion of 2.1 mg/L to 4.38 mg/L for the lowest level effect and the severe effect level, respectively. Ferrous iron was measured by colorimetric analysis in mg/L and is reported in Table 38.

The total range of ferrous iron is 0.00 to 0.07 mg/L.

4.7.5 Manganese

Manganese (Mn) is associated with suspended sediment. BC Guidelines suggest criterion of 100 to 1000 �g/L whereas Sigma suggests that limited data indicates that levels greater than 0.1 mg/L could be of concern when not a direct constituent of a silt suspension. Manganese was measured by colorimetric analysis in mg/L and is reported in Table 39.

The total range of manganese is 0.000 to 0.035 mg/L.

4.7.6 Molybdenum

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micro-nutrient that is normally found in concentrations less than 10 �g/L. The criterion for aquatic life is a maximum of 2.0 mg/L or 1.0 mg/L as a 30-day average. The molybdenum was measured by colorimetric analysis as mg/L of Mo⁶⁺ and the results are reported in Table 40.

The total range of molybdenum as Mo⁶⁺ is 0.00 to 0.21 mg/L.

4.7.7 Nickel

Nickel (Ni) is a toxic trace metal. The maximum levels of nickel depend on the pH and the hardness, as CaCO₃, of the water.

Nickel was measured by colorimetric analysis in mg/L and the results are reported in Table 41.

Table 41. Nickel

The total range of nickel is 0.000 to 1.000 mg/L.

4.7.8 Zinc

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for plants and animals. Zinc can be measured as either the total or the dissolved state in the water and usually occurs in concentrations of < 0.05 mg/L or up to 50 mg/L in acidic water. The maximum levels of zinc depend on the hardness, as CaCO₃, of the water. The BC criterion suggest the following as maximum thresholds:

Zinc was measured by colorimetric analysis in mg/L and is reported in Table 42.

Table 42. Zinc

The total range of zinc is 0.00 to 0.04 mg/L.

Email Judith Burke at Waterose Environmental Services

• Water Quality Tests Offered by Waterose

• Twelve Month Baseline Water Quality Study for Salmonids in the lower Sooke River Watershed (Victoria Times Colonist Enviro News)

• Twelve Month Baseline Water Quality Study for Salmonids in the lower Sooke River Watershed (Sooke Mirror)

• Water Quality Project on Musqueam Salmon Stream in Urban Vancouver

• Analysis of Coliforms and Nutrients in surface waters flowing into Esquimalt Lagoon

• Water Quality Monitoring on Ayum Creek, a wild salmon and trout bearing stream, for Society for the Protection of Ayum Creek and Fisheries and Oceans, Canada

• Testing the Waters Story in Sooke News Mirror, March 28, 2001 about the Automated Water Quality Monitoring Project

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