A long‐term, multitrophic level study to assess pulp and paper mill effluent effects on aquatic communities in four us receiving waters: Lessons learned

Abstract

Lessons learned from the development, implementation, and initial 8 y of study findings from a long-term study to assess the effects of pulp and paper mill effluents on receiving waters are summarized as a conclusion to a series of articles (this issue) on study findings. The study, based on industry-defined information needs, was developed via a science-based experimental design into a long-term (>10 y) watershed-scale monitoring program that integrated in-stream population/ community assessment, laboratory chronic bioassays, and fathead minnow full life-cycle assays as well as water quality and effluent quality monitoring and habitat assessment in addressing the presence of effluent effects. The 4 study streams (Codorus Creek, PA; Leaf River, MS; and the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, OR) represented both bleached and unbleached kraft mill processes and effluent concentrations that ranged from near typical for the United States (0.4%) to very high (Codorus Creek= 32%). Following 8 y of monitoring, the weight of evidence suggests an absence of biological differences at stations downstream of the mill discharges for periphyton or macroinvertebrates and, with the exception of 1 of 9 large-bodied fish and 1 of 7 small-bodied fish community structure metrics for 1 river (McKenzie), an absence of differences for fish communities. Laboratory bioassay and fathead minnow full-life cycle tests supported a substantial "margin of safety" in that, depending on the effluent, adverse responses did not occur until effluent concentrations were from 2 times to more than 150 times in-stream concentrations. The incorporation of a watershed spatial scale illustrated that each sample site tended to be unique over the 28 to 50 km monitored segments with respect to habitat and that knowledge of these variables permitted accurate evaluations of effluent effects. Similarly, the multiyear study framework provided information regarding the natural seasonal and year-to-year variability in fish communities and consequently a better understanding of how potential effluent effects signals could be expressed within this variability. The study incorporated an adaptive management strategy that provided for study design and monitoring modifications over time as a way of benefiting from practical experience and knowledge gained through time and to optimize the use of study resources. Results from this initial 8 y of monitoring, to our knowledge, represent the longest-known population/community-level assessment of the in-stream effects of pulp and paper mill effluents. Beyond the lessons learned with respect to effluent effects are those related to the esign and conduct of long-term watershed-scale studies that may be of use to others in developing watershed assessment or management programs.

A long‐term, multitrophic level study to assess pulp and paper mill effluent effects on aquatic communities in four us receiving waters: Background and status

“…The results of laboratory fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) full life-cycle studies with the 4 effluents are described by Borton et al (2009) and represent an additional approach to assessing fish reproduction effects beyond those measured directly through long-term, in-stream community assessment. Finally, a compilation and overview of the lessons learned from the initial years of the LTRWS are presented by Hall, Fisher, et al (2009).…”

“…The 13-y path to develop, implement, and carry out especially the initial years of the study provided an opportunity to reflect on what worked well, and not so well, in the LTRWS. These lessons learned are recounted in the last article of this series (Hall, Fisher, et al 2009), along with an overview of findings related to pulp and paper mill effluent effects from the initial years of the study.…”

Using adaptive processes and adverse outcome pathways to develop meaningful, robust, and actionable environmental monitoring programs

“…There is, however, room within the monitoring program to seek more definitive information that can withstand deeper scrutiny, provide compelling evidence, and ultimately lead to better management decisions. Modifying monitoring with the intent of optimizing the utility of the information provided by the program could be easily described as managing adaptively, including the lessons learned and actions taken during an initial optimization period (Hall et al ). These latter aspects are more closely aligned with the initial steps or an early phase in the adaptive monitoring scheme described here, rather than the modeling normally included in classic adaptive management.…”

The Evolution of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent Effects Knowledge and Issues - A Career-Based Retrospective

“…A series of papers was published in 2009 reporting on fi ndings from the fi rst eight years of the LTRWS (Borton et al 2009;Flinders et al 2009aFlinders et al , 2009bFlinders et al , 2009cHall et al 2009aHall et al , 2009bHall et al , 2009cLandis and Thomas 2009). Conclusions reached during this initial period of the study provide a "weight of evidence" founded on both instream and laboratory-based assessment for an absence of effl uent effects for the four mill discharges studied (Table 2).…”

“…(Envirozine 2004). Conversely, Hall et al (2009c) reported that "following 8 y of monitoring the weight of evidence suggests an absence of instream population/ community effects downstream of the mill discharges" on four U.S. receiving waters. The differences in conclusions may not be refl ective of whether research for these two respective programs was good or bad, but rather that different approaches were taken to identify whether and the extent to which effl uent effects were present.…”