Base de données de recherche des TNO

étiquettes: water quality, sedimentology, bathymetry, benthic invertebrates

Objectif(s): To collect baseline data on the bathymetry and depth contours, water chemistry, limnological profiles, sediments, and benthic biota, fish presence and habitat.

Description du projet: The primary objectives of this research program are to collect baseline data on the bathymetry and depth contours, water chemistry, limnological profiles, sediments, and benthic biota, fish presence and habitat. The Bathymetry field program will be conducted in August 2014, prior to the Aquatics and Fisheries field programs. Data from the bathymetry field program is required to finalize sampling locations for the Aquatics and Fisheries field programs. Bathymetry surveys will be completed with the use of a boat and echosounder with integrated GPS; accuracy of the depth sounder and GPS is approximately 0.1 m. The boat and attached echosounder will be driven slowly across pre-planned transects on each lake to collect continuous and synchronized depth and positional data. The data will be used to develop depth contour maps for each of the study lakes and calculate lake morphometrics (e.g., surface area, maximum depth, mean depth, total volume, etc). The data will also be provided to the Aquatics and Fisheries team to finalize sampling plans. The Aquatics field program will be conducted in August/September 2014. During the field program, the following samples will be collected: water chemistry, sediment chemistry, and benthic invertebrates (taxonomy, biomass). Up to three sample sites will be established in each lake (up to 12 sample sites total) to assess different aquatic habitat types. Limnological/water chemistry profiles will be collected at each sample site (at 0.5 m intervals) with a YSI multimeter; parameters will include temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen. Water chemistry samples will be collected with a Van Dorn sampler at surface (0.5 m depth) and at bottom (0.5 m off bottom), or at alternate depths depending thermal stratification. Sediment chemistry and benthic invertebrate samples will be collected at each sample site with a Petite Ponar (3 replicates per site). The Fisheries field program will occur concurrently with the Aquatics field program, in August/September 2014. A fish habitat assessment will be completed at each lake to assess existing fish habitat and lake connectivity, with respect to relevant Commercial, Recreational or Aboriginal fisheries. A fish collection program will be conducted. A variety of methods will be employed to assess fish presence and the existing community; these may include: multi-panel gillnets (minimum 12 hour sets), seine nets, fyke nets, minnow traps, and electrofishing. If fish are captured in good condition, all fish will be released alive. Prior to release, the fish will be identified to species, enumerated, and measured (weight and length). Fish which are deemed to be in poor condition will be euthanized. If fish are captured, fish tissue collection and archiving may also occur. The maximum number of fish from which tissue are collected will depend on the species and number of fish captured. Information, including data and analysis on bathymetry, surface water quality and fisheries work in the four lakes, will be available to local residents, organizations and the community for review through the Environmental Assessment and/or land use and water licensing permitting of the Giant Mine Remediation Project. The information will provide residents, organizations and the community with a scientific overview of the aquatic condition of the lakes along the proposed north diversion of Baker Creek, which can be used for various purposes. Results of the baseline study will be communicated to local residents and nearby communities through the Environmental Assessment and/or land use permitting and water licensing of the Giant Mine Remediation Project. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from August 13, 2014 to October 31, 2014.