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Fish Status and Ecosystem Health - Caged Invertebrates

In situ exposures of Hyalella azteca in Athabasca River tributaries - Summary of activities (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014)

In situ exposures with Hyalella azteca were conducted within the oil sands region to assess differences in survival and growth of invertebrates caged at natural sites (i.e., exposed to naturally occurring sources of bitumen) compared to sites influenced by oil sands mining activity (i.e., exposed to both naturally occurring and anthropogenic sources of bitumen).Hyalella were collected from a wetland within the Athabasca River watershed but outside the area of oil sands development and activity. They were then placed in cages submerged at 3 sites on the Ells River, 3 sites on the Firebag River, and 4 sites on the Steepbank River. Five cages were deployed per site, each cage containing 20 Hyalella. Cages were removed two weeks after deployment, and Hyalella were counted and weighed as a group to determine growth.

As part of a water quality survey, stream samples were collected throughout the Big Creek, Lynn River, and Nanticoke Creek Watershed in Southern Ontario in 2008. The project was undertaken to examine stream water quality under base flow conditions and was done in support of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s ongoing work to assess the status of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin. Sample collection was done at roadside stream crossings using a stainless steel bucket. Field parameters (temperature, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH) were determined on site using a YSI 600QS Sonde.

In 2010, for the Alberta Geological Survey Saline Aquifer Mapping Project, we collected and analyzed 38 water samples from oil wells producing from geological units, including the Glauconitic, Ostracod, Ellerslie, Banff, Wabamun, Nisku, Leduc and Cooking Lake, within 100 km of Edmonton, Alberta. We analyzed filtered water samples for pH, density and specific conductance. oxygen, hydrogen and strontium isotopes. and dissolved constituents, including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, barium, strontium, lithium, iron, manganese, chloride, bromide, sulphate, sulphide, silica and inorganic carbon.

In 2011, for the Alberta Geological Survey Saline Aquifer Mapping Project, we collected and analyzed 40 water samples from oil wells producing from geological units, including the Cardium, Viking, Mannville, Glauconitic, Ellerslie, Nordegg, Banff, Wabamun, Nisku and Leduc, within approximately 200 km of Edmonton, Alberta. We analyzed filtered water samples for pH, density and specific conductance. oxygen, hydrogen and strontium isotopes. and dissolved constituents, including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, barium, strontium, lithium, chloride, bromide, sulphate, sulphide, silica and inorganic carbon.

Stream water samples are collected as part of the Regional Geochemical Survey (RGS) program, which covers over 80% of British Columbia. An additional 4332 stream and lake water samples were analyzed by ICP-MS, ICP-ES and other methods for trace and minor elements in NTS map areas 082M, 093C/D/F/K/L/M, 094L/M, 103A, 104A/H/J/P. The data provides the elements found in the water sample as well as the test method, the detection limit and the original source. The data is available for download and viewing at the BC Geological Survey website.

In rural Alberta, 90 per cent of people use private well water supplies for domestic use (e.g. drinking, cooking, bathing or cleaning). Domestic well water systems are not regulated by either the provincial or federal governments. The Government of Alberta along with Alberta Health Services provides water chemistry testing of private well water and information and advice on safe water for domestic purposes; however, it is the responsibility of private well owners to ensure the quality and safety of their water supply.

This dataset contains the stable nitrogen (δ15N), carbon (δ13C), oxygen (δ18O), and hydrogen (δ2H) isotope data from 1123 samples of underfur hair of adult polar bears (Ursus maritimus) sampled between 1992 to 2017 from subpopulation boundaries (zone) in the Canadian Arctic and sub-Arctic. Wide-ranging apex predators are among the most challenging of all fauna to conserve and manage. This is especially true of the polar bear, an iconic predator that is hunted in Canada and threatened by global climate change. We used combinations of stable isotopes (13C,15N,2H,18O) in polar bear hair to test the ability of stable isotopic profiles to ‘assign’ bears to (1) predefined managed subpopulations, (2) subpopulations defined by similarities in stable isotope values using quadratic discriminant analysis, and (3) spatially explicit, isotopically distinct clusters derived from interpolated (i.e.

NGR surveys were originally conducted in the Mayo map area in 1987 and 1988. Stream sediment and water samples were collected from a total of 861 sample sites. A total of 861 original samples were selected for reanalysis. Representative 2 gram splits were successfully recovered from 861 samples.

NGR surveys were originally conducted in the Glenlyon map area in 1988. Stream sediment and water samples were collected from a total of 1378 sample sites. A total of 1096 original samples were selected for reanalysis. Representative 2 gram splits were successfully recovered from 1095 samples.

NGR surveys were originally conducted in the Dawson map area in 1976 and 1977. Stream sediment and water samples were collected from a total of 1738 sample sites. A total of 1129 original samples were selected for reanalysis. Representative 2 gram splits were successfully recovered from 1091 samples.