Effects of pulp and paper mill effluents on estuarine and marine ecosystems in Canada: a review

Abstract

This review examines the impact of pulp and paper mill effluents by comparing effects from Canada's east and west coasts at a time when revisions to the federal Fisheries Act (Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations) are being finalized. Pulp and paper mill effluents from Canadian coastal mills were usually acutely toxic at source, and in many cases had marked deleterious effects on receiving waters due to toxicity, high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and total suspended solids (TSS) loadings. Extreme reductions in ambient dissolved oxygen, impacts on benthic and intertidal organisms, changes in water colour and primary productivity, have been demonstrated over the years and continue to cause environmental damage. Contamination of biota by a wide range of chlorinated organic compounds has been more recently the focus of investigations.While sublethal effects of lowered dissolved oxygen levels and suspended solids on the water column and bottom communities are well known, the potential effects of major organochlorine contamination of water (measured as Adsorbable Organic Halogens = AOX), sediments, and biota are not fully understood, especially under natural and perturbated conditions. The findings of recent North American and Scandinavian studies which describe liver enzyme activation, histological damage, reproductive and population level changes in fish, are a major concern as they are a sign of ecosystem stress and pathology.The environmental effects described herein are long-term impacts which will not respond quickly to changes in pollutant loading. Integrated site-specific assessments need to be undertaken to document ecosystem response to process and treatment improvements at mill sites. Current biomonitoring techniques including measures of population structure and ecosystem function are needed in addition to sensitive biochemical indicators of contaminant exposure.

An Assessment of PCBs and OC Pesticides in Eggs of Double-crested (Phalacrocorax auritus) and Pelagic (P. pelagicus) Cormorants from the West Coast of Canada, 1970 to 2002

“…A growing human population has resulted in greater pleasure boat and shipping traffic. In addition, contamination from forestry-related industry (particularly pulp mills) has been a significant historical problem for wildlife in the strait (Colodey and Wells, 1992;Harris et al, 2003a).…”

Assessment of water pollution in different bleaching based paper manufacturing and textile dyeing industries in India

“…When the AOX chemicals are concentrated and released in large quantities to receiving water bodies such as lakes and rivers they can cause chronic toxicity to the aquatic organisms. Chronic or sub-lethal effects may affect an organism's size, growth rate, sexual maturation or ability to reproduce (Colodey and Wells 1992;Tarkpea et al 1999).…”

How American eels Anguilla rostrata construct and respire in burrows

“…Seafloors of many bays, estuaries, and inland waters of eastern North America have been profoundly altered by dredging, construction, and agricultural, industrial, and municipal run-off (Colodey & Wells 1992, Santiago & Pelletier 2001, Lotze et al 2006). Eel conservation is potentially affected by both physical and chemical changes to these habitats.…”

“…Wintering burrows of American eels may show a visible depression (pock mark) at the surface (Smith & Saunders 1955), but visible marks have not been reported for summer burrows. In eastern Canada, Vladykov (1955) reported that several eels may share the same wintering hole in fresh water.Seafloors of many bays, estuaries, and inland waters of eastern North America have been profoundly altered by dredging, construction, and agricultural, industrial, and municipal run-off (Colodey & Wells 1992, Santiago & Pelletier 2001, Lotze et al 2006). Eel conservation is potentially affected by both physical and chemical changes to these habitats.…”