abstracts for
1 Pulp & Paper

Environmental and biological studies carried out in Stuart Channel, the receiving waters for effluent discharged the Crofton Pulp and Paper Division, by BC Forest Products Ltd., can be used to evaluate whether oysters on the lease of Mrs. T. Gold have been adversely affected by that effluent. Using several independent parameters, it can be concluded that effluent from the mill outfalls cannot be implicated in any degradation of oysters on the Gold Lease.

Based on the results of monitoring carried on in the period September, 1972 - September, 1973, it is proposed that certain revisions be made to the "Proposal for Monitoring the Marine Receiving Area for the Crofton Mill Outfalls" submitted by Derek V. Ellis on September 26, 1972. Both the revisions, and the monitoring results on which the revisions are based, are included in this report.

The revised monitoring program proposed consists of three phases:

• Phase 1: Delimitation of the Effluent Field in the Receiving Waters; Delimitation of the Fibre Deposition Zone on the Seabed; and Negotiation of a Site Dilution Zone.
• Phase II: Monitoring Biological Parameters of the Receiving Marine Ecosystem.
• Phase Ill: Routine Monitoring of the Site- Specific Initial Dilution Zone and of Specified Biological Components of the Ecosystem.

A proposed time schedule for implementation of various components of the monitoring program is presented in Table 1.

The Crofton outfall is depositing fibres over an area extending at least 1-2 miles along the west side of Stuart Channel. Immediately around the outfall, within a quarter-mile in both directions near shore, the coarsest fibre forms a mat 10-15 cms or more thick. The mat extends to about 1000 ft. offshore (in plane projection at the water surface) or to about 150 feet depth. The fibrous mat has depauperated the sea-bed fauna and changed the structure of the normal ecosystem. A rich and varied clam-polychaete association which should occur around the outfall has been replaced largely by three small organisms, Epinebalia pugettensis, Capitella capitata and Dorvillea rudolphii.

Beyond the fibrous mat, fine fibres have been deposited over a large area, extending at least 1-2 miles to northwest and southeast of the outfall, and encroaching on the groundfish and prawn grounds of Stuart Channel. The affected area has not been precisely delimited, since biological analyses indicate that normal marine life is present within 1 mile of the outfall near shore, and off the outfall at about 300 feet depth. Sea-bed animals appear able to cope with fine fibre deposits, although limiting values for permissible amounts of fibre deposition are presently unknown.

Investigations of Pacific oysters showed that the Limberis and Biscoe leases have oysters in sub-standard, non-marketable condition. The two Barnes leases (1-2 miles southeast of the outfall) have also been affected and are probably no longer commercially viable due to numbers of thin oysters which would require rejection after shucking. In contrast, oysters 1-2 miles northwest of the outfall on Willy Island are in good condition, presumably due to the residual surface current set to the southeast in Stuart Channel, carrying effluent away from this area. Poor condition of oysters in Booth Bay on Saltspring Island some 4 miles southeast of the outfall may also be attributable to discharged effluent.

A marine survey conducted May 26, 1972, demonstrated that the effluent field discharged from the twin mill outfalls can be delimited using an in situ continuously profiling transmissometer. Accompanying water samples can be used for field interpretation. This approach of continuous profiling has several possible alternatives or extensions (e.g. dissolved oxygen probes, submerged pump and hose to shipboard fluorometer) capable of improving, yet simplifying, monitoring programs.

It is recommended that BC Forest Products, in the monitoring proposal accompanying their application for renewal of their discharge permit, request a Phase 1, consisting of a development period, to establish an effective procedure for delimiting the effluent field and an Initial Dilution Zone, specific to the Crofton outfalIs.

The applicant requests a three phase monitoring program for the marine receiving area:

• Phase I: Delimitation of an Initial Dilution and Dispersal Zone to be initiated immediately and with final report due December 31, 1373.
• Phase II: Ecosystem "health" monitoring to be initiated spring and summer 1973 with annual interpretive reports.
• Phase III: Routine monitoring of the Initial Dilution and Dispersal Zone to be initiated in 1974.

A schedule of monitoring is attached as Table 1.

This is a progress report on data analyses from monitoring the mill's receiving area in summer l974. Provisionally it is concluded that certain water quality parameters, i.e. colour, turbidity, toxicity and possibly others, are exceeding the restraints required by the Objectives for Quality of Marine Receiving Areas set by the Pollution Control Board for the forest products industry. For various reasons it appears unlikely that regulatory action will be taken in the near future. Provisional conclusions from the data analysis to date are presented now to permit discussions between mill personnel and the authors prior to submission of the definitive reports from the summer's monitoring. These will include recommendations on future action and since some of these recommendations will set precedents in regulations, they need to be carefully considered at this time.

It is recommended that mill personnel provide the authors with a preliminary outline of procedures for meeting the agency objectives, so that assessment can be made of environmental consequences and costs. In case the assessment of the effects of these procedures indicates undesirable environmental consequences, or impractical costs, mill personnel are requested to consider the alternative of a request to the regulatory agency for temporary relief from meeting the objectives at the 300 ft point from the outfall for colour, turbidity, toxicity and other infringing parameters. With this request however, the mill should submit a request for a voluntary restraint to meet the objectives of "No statistically significant difference (P<0.05) from a control station" at a specified distance form the outfall. If this approach appears desirable, consideration can be given to the actual distance to be specified.

Copy of a proposal by a regulatory agency scientist for colour determination is provided for assessment by mill personnel. If the technique is practical, it is requested that the mill implement a trial to determine at what distance from the outfalls effluent colour can be detected.

A routine water quality monitoring procedure for implementation quarterly is recommended. This involves 9 surface stations and 4 vertical profiles.

The provisional conclusions presented in this progress report may be changed by further data analyses in hand, and they are presented at this time to document progress to date and possible solutions to apparent situations.

Water quality surveys in 1974 provide further evidence that effluent can be detected beyond the Initial Dilution Zone by various tests, but that the Pollution Control Objectives for the Forest Products Industry are not necessarily infringed. It now appears that no consistently satisfactory control sampling station can be identified due to the inherent variability of the marine environment within and adjacent to the mill's effluent receiving area.

A water quality monitoring program which can indicate compliance with, or infringement of, the Forest Products Industry Objectives has been specified. This is based on surface water sampling at eight stations: 3 300 ft distant from the outfalls, 31/2 mile distant from the outfalls, and two further stations which have potential to act as controls on occasions. Sampling is recommended quarterly, with completion of two types of data-report sheets. One type of report sheet will indicate compliance with the Objectives, or not, on the particular sampling day. The other type of report sheet accumulates data for each parameter, and thus illustrates any trends within the data.

An additional subsurface water quality monitoring program is recommended for implementation quarterly over a three year period. This program has an objective determination whether effluent is dispersing below surface beyond the 300 ft Initial Dilution Zone.

Two term missions are recommended for implementation as soon as possible. These are toxicity tests using organisms such as oyster larvae which are more sensitive to mill effluent than the standard sea-water acclimated juvenile salmon, and C14 bioassays of the effects of effluent on primary production.

Existing studies of oyster condition factor, fibre deposition and benthic effects should be continued making up the balance of the mill's pollution assessment program in the marine receiving area.

Water quality surveys in 1974 provide further evidence that effluent can be detected beyond the Initial Dilution Zone by various tests. However, data analysis indicates that the Pollution Control Objectives for the Forest Products Industry are not necessarily infringed. The difficulty in making a clear statement relative to the Objectives occurs as no consistently satisfactory control sampling station has been identified to date. This situation arises at Crofton due to the inherent variability of the marine environment within and adjacent to the mill's effluent receiving area.

Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg) contaminated by pulp mill effluent in British Columbia have significantly reduced their zinc loadings from 14.4 mg/g dry tissue in 1973 (when the zinc discharge ceased) to 5.7 mg/g in 1979. Levels in control oysters showed no trend and averaged 2.76 mg/g from 1973-1979. The rate of decline based on (almost) annual monitoring indicates that there could be reduction to control levels by 1981 if the rate of reduction is linear (Zn = 13.6-0.11mths, with correlation coefficient -0.976) or later if the rate of reduction is exponential (Zn = 14.15e-0.l2mths with correlation coefficient -0.989).

Condition factor 1000 x Tissue dry wt (g)/Shell cavity vol (ml) has been consistently lower in test oysters than in controls and in 1979 averaged 25 and 150 respectively compared to the level for marketability of 70. Condition Factor has declined erratically since mill operations started in l957, but the trend has little predictive value. Declining Condition Factor since 1973 indicates that there is continuing contamination from the waste discharge other than zinc. The sampling stratification design adopted in 1979 indicates that size of oysters at this site is not a determinant of zinc levels nor Condition Factor.

The extent of the fibre blanket in the area adjacent to the Crofton mill has been mapped using a core-staining technique (rhodamine-B) for determining fibre thickness.

Fibre deposits appear to decrease rapidly offshore with depth by the outfalls, and approximate 1 inch thickness at the 50 fathom contour. The fibres are spread alongshore in an area approximately 1500 ft wide and approximately 1 mile to each side of the outfalls. These results are similar to those from a prior survey (Ellis, 1970) and will be related to pending analyses of a benthic survey in 1974.

Recommendations on a routine monitoring program are made. Measurements of fibre in the intertidal flats near the outfall are included. The recommendations should be regarded as preliminary, subject to confirmation following completion of the benthos analyses.

The extent of the benthic effects in the area adjacent to the Crofton mill outfall have been determined by analysis of samples collected with a 0.1 m2 van Veen grab.

Benthic effects related to amounts of fibre and distance from the outfall indicate that 1" of deposited fibre, and possibly less, is critical. An area of depauperization of the sea-bed and a surrounding transition zone extends 1/2 mile (3000 ft) to 1 mile to either side of the outfall in shallow water and 1000 ft directly offshore in deeper water (90 to 93 metres) on a fibre blanket greater then 1" thick. The effects include changes in the biomass, density and diversity of the infauna. Computerized cluster analysis differentiated the communities picked by subjective methods, whereas a Zurich-Montpellier analysis did not.

The results are similar to those found in 1970, but with an increase in the affected area. Previous recommendations for a benthic coring program are confirmed with one additional station. Recomendations for a continuing benthic program to determine fibre-related effects are made. These include a slightly extended grid of benthic stations, implementation at three year intervals, and measurement of fibre thickness in centimetres.

Duration of spermatogenesis in Mytilus californianus approximated 10 days for a stock inhabiting relatively sheltered conditions in a north temperate region. Reproductive timing of the stock consisted of a major spawning period in summer (July-August 1980) coinciding with and followed by intensive spermatogenesis into September. No totally spent individual was found, and spermatogenesis was occurring even in specimens which were sampled during spawning. There were minor spawning periods October-November 1979 and April-May 1980. The former coincided with considerable spermatogenesis; the latter was accompanied by much less. There were long periods when spermatogenesis could not be detected. Individuals were obtained during non-spawning periods with mature sperm capable of mobilization for spawning. It appears that individuals in the population examined were optimizing their capability to spawn at any time of year. The unpredictability of the timing of spermatogenesis, and its short duration, renders it unlikely that the species has the potential for providing a sperm deformation mutagen assay for the marine environment.

The sea is capable of providing man with vast new quantities of food and mineral wealth. Present uses of the sea, however, often conflict in ways that may reduce overall marine productivity. The addition of a large part of the industrial world's waste products, for example, may be interfering with the capabilities of the ocean system to support productive life. The impact of human activity on the quality of the marine environment is most evident today in estuarine areas where delicate ecological balances may be easily upset by high intensities of human use. High yield estuarine oyster production has already been seriously affected by the release of pulp mill waste in certain confined waters. The establishment of a pulp mill in the immediate vicinity of utilized oyster beds at Osborn Bay, BC, resulted in a nearby resource use conflict that could be studied in some detail.

In order to place the problem at Osborn Bay into perspective, the oyster industry in the province as a whole has been considered in Chapter II. Another chapter has been devoted to a study of the pollutional effects of pulp mill waste and its control in British Columbia. The paper then goes on to trace the development of the resource use conflict at Osborn Bay, and the steps taken in efforts to resolve it. Finally an attempt is made to discover why this conflict in water use was allowed to develop, and whether or not it could have been, or should have been, avoided.

Stuart Channel is a stratified, estuarine region typical of British Columbia coastal "inside" waters. Tidal currents are mostly less than 1 kt at all depths, and set to the northwest on the flood and southeast on the ebb, along the axis of the channel. Effluent released by a submarine diffuser, from the kraft pulp mill at Crofton, mixes in a ratio of about 1:22 with sea water as it rises to the surface. The entrainment of cold, saline water in the ascent gives the effluent-seawater mixture at the "boil" above the diffuser a density usually greater than that of surface sea water. Therefore, the mixture generally sinks and spreads in a thin sheet at a depth between 3 and 10 m. Non-tidal currents at the surface and at 9-10 m depth could be expected to give the effluent present in these layers a net displacement seaward through Sansum Narrows. Effluent at a depth of 4-5 m would receive a net transport in the opposite direction (northwest) and could be expected to be retained in the channel much longer.

In 1979, the Port Alice Environmental Department of Rayonier Canada continued the 1978 expanded version of the biological and hydrological monitoring program of Neroutsos Inlet established in 1975. This represents the second year of study since the start-up of the spent sulphite liquor recovery system at Port Alice in 1977.

The 1978 monitoring program detected improvements in a number of areas and this latest program has continued to document similar improvements in 1979:

1. Primary productivity was seen to increase at all six stations throughout the inlet by factors of from 1.4 to 9.5 times the rates recorded in 1978. Productivity increased with increasing distance from the mill, with a low of 292 mgC/m2/day at Station 1 opposite the mill and a maximum of 3729 mgC/m2/day at Station 6 beyond the mouth of the inlet. This represents a difference of approximately 13 times.
2. Artificial substrate studies have shown increases in algal growth rates, microscopic periphyton diversities and associated invertebrate populations at the stations from the mill out to Station 3. As in 1978, a general trend of increasing diversity with increasing distance from the mill was seen, with a levelling out pattern apparent at the outer three stations.
3. Intertidal invertebrate populations associated the midintertidal seaweed Fucus have shown overall increases in their diversities at the stations in the central portions of the inlet. Most of the species sampled have shown some inward expansion of their distributions since 1978.
4. Those intertidal areas in close proximity to the mill have recorded greater growth and diversity than that which was found in 1978. Species of amphipods, Balanus, Hemigrapsus and Fucus have significantly expanded their distributions within this zone.

In conclusion, it would appear that the improvements noted in 1978 have been carried on through 1979. Although water quality, in terms of dissolved oxygen and spent sulphite liquor, has not shown any dramatic improvements over the past year, the improvements initially realized in 1978 were obviously of a magnitude capable of allowing the slower processes of recolonization to continue throughout this year.

While the most dramatic changes may have already occurred, further changes may be expected as community structure slowly stabilizes under the recently improved conditions.

The Port Alice Division has measured water quality in Neroutsos Inlet and Quatsino Sound since 1973. Graphical techniques were used to summarize this data and determine changes in water quality that occurred following incineration of SSL, which started in August 1977.

The following conclusions were drawn from the data:

1. The Pearl Benson Index, a measure of SSL, dropped dramatically in the spring of 1978.
2. Both dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH improved at this time throughout the inlet. Expectably, the greatest improvement was at the entrance to Neroutsos Inlet and the least near the mill.
3. Following SSL incineration, DO and pH values still varied over a wide range. However, the frequency of low values decreased.

Summary from Part B: An Assessment of the Impact of Sulfite Pulp Mill Effluent on Neroutsos Inlet.

The Port Alice Division of Rayonier Canada Limited has monitored "the biology and hydrology of Neroutsos Inlet" since 1975. August 1977 marked the start-up of the spent sulfite recovery system at the mill. In 1978 the monitoring program detected some changes in the biology and hydrology of the inlet.

The following conclusions have been drawn from the data collected to date:

1. Primary production has increased in 1978. The increase was mainly in the middle portions of the inlet, but to some extent near the mill.
2. In 1978 more organisms and greater growth were found intertidally in the outer fringes of the areas bordering the mill.
3. Spent sulfite liquor concentrations are lower, especially towards the mouth of the inlet, in 1978.
4. Dissolved oxygen concentrations still vary, but are generally higher in 1978, especially towards the mouth of the inlet.

Considering the fact that the recovery system began to operate efficently in the spring of 1978, these conclusions represent a rapid, if slight, improvement. It is expected, therefore, that more improvements will be detected in the future.

Summary from Part C: Port Alice Plankton 1978 Slide Rack and Grab Sample Studies.

A plankton sampling program was conducted by the Port Alice Division, Rayonier Canada, during 1978 in Quatsino Sound and Neroutsos Inlet. This program was similar to earlier (1969 and 1972) plankton studies. Sampling techniques used were slide rack and grab sample.

The following conclusions can be drawn based on this and earlier studies.

1. 1978 slide rack data indicate that water quality has improved since the 1969 and 1972 studies. This is based on increased numbers of diatoms and diatom forms.
2. The level of stalked protozoa, a possible indicator of organic waste, was approximately the same as found previously.
3. Plankton grab data were found to be highly variable. For this reason, improvement or lack of improvement in water quality could not be shown by these samples. It is recommended that this form of sampling be discontinued in future studies.

Implementation of shoreline monitoring routines established in the 1978 program have been shown to require some minor procedural modifications. Urchestia sampling has been shown to be most effective as a qualitative technique and as a measure of relatively high levels of SME (Sulphite Mill Effluent) in a presence/absence form of monitoring routine. Enchytraeid oligochaete sampling presents a complex array of results in regards to species associational and diversification patterns within Neroutsos Inlet, and it is suggested that further analyses be concentrated in monitoring the range of Lumbricillus lineatus, a species found particularly within polluted environments. Two Tubificid species (Monopylephorus irroratus and N. rubroniveus), found only at stations S6A and S6B, should also be included in the oligochaete survey as secondary indicators of high SME levels.

Abundance and diversity analyses of Fucus-epifaunal amphipods show order-of-magnitude reductions at stations within 7 km of the waste source. Future sampling will be required to determine if these results are attributable to unusual seasonal fluctuations or to effects correlated with reductions in SME discharged to the marine environment.

Information obtained through routine color photographic recording have been supplemented with an intertidal rocky shore faunistic survey at 13 stations along the shoreline of Neroutsos Inlet. Analysis of results from both sides of the inlet show comparable and distinct increases in the diversity of gastropoda, decapoda, and asteroidea as distance from the waste source is increased.

A shoreline rehabilitation monitoring program, extended in part from mill pre-recovery monitoring techniques, has been developed, refined, and implemented through 1978-1980. The protocol consists of three techniques, each of which is employed in documenting various degrees of shoreline impact. A shoreline rehabilitation monitoring program, extended in part from mill pre-recovery monitoring techniques, has been developed, refined, and implemented through 1978-1980. The protocol consists of three techniques, each of which is employed in documenting various degrees of shoreline impact. Monitoring of changes in enchytraeid/tubificid oligochaete species composition within 1-2 km of the outfall is being used to record expected recovery processes which occur within the area of severe intertidal impact. Subtle biological changes occuring with increased distance from the outfall, and in areas influenced by moderate levels of sulfite mill effluent (SME), are illustrated by numerical and diversity analyses of the Fucus-epifaunal amphipods. Finally, a qualitative analysis of rocky shore communities, including photographic documentation, provides information on the 'overall' effect SME has on the inlet, revealing the delimitation of species with respect to distance from the discharge source and thus the geographical zone of SME influence.

Use of this monitoring protocol through 1980 has illustrated the progress of rehabilatative processes since the implementation of pollution controls in 1977. Fucus-epifaunal amphipods in particular, have shown that a region extending from station lA to station 3 (approximately 5-6 km) has been influenced since application of these controls. An opportunistic species, Allorchestes angusta, has been observed to reach maximum abundance at a point considered optimum for growth due to nutrient enrichment. This point has moved towards the discharge source since 1977 and has stabilzed at station lA in 1980. Marine oligochaete sampling presently fails to illustrate any improvement, but instead describes the degree of shoreline impact within the grossly affected region around the mill. Rocky shore surveys successfully illustrated the various zones of SME influence in the inlet during 1979, but results for 1980 were analysed by mill environment staff, and thus were not reported here.

Progress in the study initiated to estimate the toxicity of SME to selected invertebrate populations, has illustrated the importance of pH in the variation of SME toxicity to the oligochaete species inhabiting the rocky shore adjacent to the outfall. In addition, it has revealed the effects of varying salinity and temperature on the resulting toxicity. Results also indicated the adaptive strategy of the specimens living at the discharge site, revealing a significantly higher tolerance to the effluent than that displayed by the control specimens. Although results from this study bear no direct influence on the routine monitoring program above, it is hoped that determination of effluent tolerances will be correlated with spatial and species compositional data, and thus form the basis for a useful biological index of marine pollution.

Continuing toxicity research will utilize gammarid amphipods in sublethal as well as acute lethal bioassays to estimate the sensitivity of these invertebrate populations to SME. It is hoped that this information will explain observed positional changes and numerical success in terms of this sensitivity, since the implementation of pollution controls in 1977.

A preliminary study on the mutagenicity of a surface-discharged sulfite mill pulping effluent was undertaken. Whole SME (neutralized) was found to have a mutagenic effect on S. typhimurium strains TA 98, TA 100, and TA 1537. Extraction with n-hexane/ethanol and petroleum ether, with subsequent mutagenic assays of these extracts, incited further mutagenic response on the Salmonella strains. In both tests mutagenic potency occured only in samples without the S.9 mixture, suggesting a deactivation of the mutagenic components of the effluent in the presence of liver microsomes.

This document represents the fourth annual report on the assessment of shoreline rehabilitation at the Port Alice pulp mill site since the implementation of a SSL recovery boiler system in 1977. The monitoring protocol employed consists of three biological tests, each of which has been designed to document various levels of shoreline impact. Two of these tests, i.e., mill vicinity enchytraeld/tubificid species composition, and Fucus-epifaunal amphipod abundance/diversity measures, were implemented by University personnel in 1981. Results for the third technique, a qualitative analysis of rocky shore communities, were analysed by mill environment staff and consequently were not reported here.

Use of this monitoring protocol in 1981 has continued to illustrate the progress of rehabilitative processes within Neroutsos Inlet. Recolonization of appropriate rocky shore at station 1 (Ketchen Island) by Fucus, has been accompanied by the movement of the opportunistic Fucus-epifaunal amphipod species, Allorchestes angusta. Control amphipod species have also moved closer to the mill site, with station 2 now sustaining populations of Oligochinus lighti, Ampithoe simulans, and Hyale in addition to A. angusta which has been significantly reduced numerically. Oligochinus lighti, the numerically dominant control amphipod, has been used to represent the movement of the control group of amphipod species. This movement has experienced a time lag of 1 year following start-up of the recovery boiler system, but subsequent sampling seasons have shown a recolonization of sites closer to the mill with a stabilization at station 2 in 1980, which continued through 1981. A speculated sublethal effect of SME on 0. lighti was demonstrated using measurements of body length, which revealed a statistically significant reduction in size as distance from the mill decreased. A similar analysis of brood size showed no apparent difference. Marine oligochaete sampling continues to show no improvement within the grossly affected region around tie mill, but instead documents the degree of shoreline impact within this area.

In addition to implementing the routine biological monitoring program in 1981, a preliminary assessment of the mutagenicity of the SME was undertaken. The SME was found to incite a significant mutagenic effect on 3 test strains of Salmonella, but only in the absence of liver microsomes. This would suggest that the mutagenic agent(s) within the effluent were active only in the absence of these microsomes, and that once the liver had metabolized these unidentified organic compounds, the resulting metabolic intermediates or end-products were mutagenically inactive.

Recommendations for future shoreline biological assessments include the seasonal continuation of the monitoring protocol (3 tests) developed in 1978. This program should be maintained by mill environment staff, and should concentrate primarily on a 5-6 km. region around the mill so as to document any further biological changes which may occur with the proposed submarine diffuser.

Development and implementation of an array of biological tests to monitor expected shoreline rehabilitation around the Port Alice pulp mill was initiated in 1978 and continued through 1979 by the Marine Environmental Group at the University of Victoria. The 1979 study involved additional monitoring routines and led to some minor procedural modifications in previously used techniques. The resulting shoreline monitoring protocol is now capable of documenting gross as well as subtle impacts on shoreline biology within Neroutsos Inlet.

Implementation of routine monitoring techniques in 1979 have recorded these impacts, and comparison with data collected in 1978 indicates that shoreline rehabilitation has occurred within the inlet to a measurable extent.

Subtle changes are apparent in the numerical fluctuations of the Fucus-epifaunal amphipod Allorchestes angusta with time. Regarded as an "opportunistic" species this organism acquires maximum population density at a point from a discharge source at which nutrient enrichment encourages optimum growth (Pearson and Rosenberg, 1978).

Relocation of this point closer to the Sulphite Mill Effluent (SME) discharge source in 1979 suggests a decrease in pollution within the inlet between 1978 and 1979.

Similarly, shoreline color photography supplementing intertidal biological surveys show that Fucus has begun to re-establish on the rocky shoreline closer to the mill outfall: i.e. on the northern portion of Ketchen Island.

Four biological tests are included in the developed shoreline monitoring protocol. They comprise: (1) qualitative estimations of enchytraeid/tubificid species composition; (2) Fucus-epifaunal amphipod abundance and diversity measures; (3) detailed qualitative faunistic and floristic rocky shore surveys with between-site similarity analyses;and (4) routine color photographic recording of the shoreline ecosystem to support the biological surveys.

Much of the monitoring program can now be taken over by mill environmental staff. Further research, in the form of lethal and sub-lethal bioassays, will be applied to those invertebrates which have been found useful in the monitoring protocol, in order to obtain a more precise understanding of observed field responses to the pollution controls. Accordingly, funds through a BC Government- Industry GREAT Fellowship (Graduate Research Engineering And Technology Awards) have been obtained and the appropriate research will proceed over the next two years.

A first site visit May 1-5, 1978, and subsequent laboratory analyses of specimens collected indicate that three quantitative biological tests have potential to monitor rehabilitation of the shoreline in Neroutsos Inlet following process controls at the mill. These are abundance and diversity measures of (i) amphipods, (ii) enchytraeid oligochaetes, and (iii) diatoms on artificial substrate samplers.

These provisionally-identified tests are now under more critical sampling and analysis (collections June 19 and 20, and from the mill routine sampling) with the intent that a decision to utilise or reject for monitoring be reached by August.

All projects initiated to date provisionally appear capable of contributing to monitoring expected clean-up in Neroutsos Inlet, although the degree of development still needed varies. Routines will be initiated in August for sampling beach and Fucus-epifaunal amphipods, and for shoreline ecosystem photographic recording. A definitive amphipod identification system is still under development. An extended sampling of Enchytraeid oligochaetes will be undertaken in winter 1978 following further development of a species identification system. Diatom species identifications also need further development, but routinely collected samples from the mill's artificial substrates will be stored for identification and analysis.

The Marine Environmental Group at the University of Victoria is developing an array of tests to monitor rehabilitation on shore around the Port Alice pulp mill. Three tests have been developed and implemented in 1978. They comprise species associational analyses of gammaridean amphipods and enchytraeid oligochaetes, and shoreline colour photographic recording supported by biological surveys. These tests show that subtle impacts on shoreline biology presently extend throughout Neroutsos Inlet some 15 km from the mill, although major changes in the natural ecosystem are restricted to within 5-6 km of the mill. At the 2 km distance normal dominant mid-tide level rockweed (Fucus) growth begins to disappear with its contributions to primary production and shelter for epifauna, and is replaced by a higher elevation green filamentdus Enteromorrpha sheltering far less epifauna. At a distance of 300 metres from the mill there is a further major reduction in the ecosystem as Enteromorpha is replaced by "slimes" of filamentous algae, Ulothrix and Oscillatoria, a biologically abnormal amphipod population consisting of uniformly small and evenly dispersed beach fleas (Orchestia traskiana) and a reduced Enchytraeid population of one species only (Lumbricillus lineatus).

Tests implemented to date have measured these impacts and data are now available for comparison with further measures in 1979 and 1980 as rehabilitation progresses.

Further tests are being developed in order to span a representative range of food chain organisms within the natural and modified ecosystems. These additional tests include species associations of periphyton diatoms, rock shore fauna and flora and deposit shore fauna.

It is recommended that stocks of salmon-feed invertebrates, i.e. shoreline-estuarin amphipods of the genera Anisogammarus and Corophium also be assessed at the time of the downstream salmon migrant assessments, and that chemical tests of contaminant accumulation by organisms be investigated.

1. 96 h LC50 determinations from interlaboratory comparisons using SME and rainbow trout as an indicator species suggested a narrow range of toxicity of SME to rainbow trout. Our results indicated that the incipient lethal limit range of SME to rainbow trout was 17.4%-26.5%.
2. Results of week-to-week comparisons of mean 96 h LC50 values obtained from E.P.S., Beak and E.V.S. Consultants Ltd. laboratories indicated very little change in effluent quality occurred over the test period.
3. Tests with SME using rainbow trout, herring and coho indicated that rainbow trout were more tolerant than coho, while herring were the least tolerant of SME.

In situ preference/avoidance tests with fish were used to determine the zone of influence of sulfite mill effluent (SME) from the Port Alice mill, Neroutsos Inlet, BC Fish avoidance behaviour and mortalities were greatest at the mill site and decreased with distance from the outfall. Both avoidance effects and elevated mortality were found at a distance of 10 km seawards from the mill site, but the zone of influence varied and was dependent upon the state of the tide. Response time for fish to elicit preference/avoidance behaviour was less than 0.5 h, and juvenile chum salmon were found to be more suitable than stickle-back as a test species. Water quality parameters of pH, dissolved oxygen and percent saturation of dissolved oxygen were found to be significant (p <0.05) in explaining vertical distribution of fish in Neroutsos Inlet. Analysis of zooplankton and ichthyoplankton data indicated that sampling methods were inadequate to allow assessment of the effects of SME on their distribution or behaviour at the present time. Recommendations included the establishment of permanent sites for monitoring preference/avoidance behaviour and the use of a specific effluent tracer in future programs. Preference/avoidance studies should be coincident with dye mark/recapture studies of chum fry during peak migration past the mill outfall. Variables associated with SME and chum fry avoidance (pH, salinity, dissolved oxyqen, colour, organoleptic properties and toxicity) should be tested separately and in combination with SME to show their relative importance in stimulating avoidance responses.

Mortalities in surface waters of Neroutsos Inlet during in situ, 24 h acute toxicity tests with juvenile chum were recorded up to 0.5 km from the Port Alice mill. This represented a decrease in the size of the acute lethal zone from 1979. Reduction in the toxicity of the sulfite mill effluent was also demonstrated in laboratory bioassays with rainbow trout. The range of values for 96 h LC50's increased from 17-26% in 1979 to 28-37% during the 1980 study period. Fish avoidance behaviour was not as pronounced as in 1979, and values for water quality parameters were closer to those for normal seawater than in previous years. The degree of fish avoidance was strongly influenced by the tidal state with maximum avoidance being observed during low tide at all sites studied. Statistically significant (p<0.05) differences in avoidance behaviour between the east and west sides of the inlet were demonstrated for two sites seaward of the mill on two tidal states. Tidal currents within the inlet were considered an important factor in the differences observed. Bioassays to determine the effects of SME at concentrations similar to the proposed dilution ratios for the new diffuser were recommended.

A plankton sampling program using racks of microscope slides was conducted by the Port Alice Division, Rayonier Canada, during 1978 and 1979.The sampling occurred from early August to mid-September. The area sampled included Neroutsos Inlet and Quatsino Sound. A previous report covered most of the 1978 data. This report covers the end of 1978 data and all of the 1979 data.

The following conclusions were drawn:

1. There was no obvious difference between the two years of data. For both years, diatom numbers increased with distance from the mill. Stalk protozoa numbers (1 m depth) peaked at 4 to 10 km from the mill and decreased in numbers with further distance.
2. Mill effluent appeared to inhibit diatom and enhance stalk protozoa numbers near the mill (within 15 km).
3. A method of quality control for plankton counting was established. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test appeared to be a satisfactory means of testing individual plankton counters.
4. The orientation of the slide (facing up or down) did not affect the variability of the plankton counts. For this reason, only top slides were counted for 1979 collections.

Water quality data collected by the Port Alice Division in 1979 is summarized and compared with earlier (1976-1978) data.

The following conclusions were drawn from the data analysis:

1. Dissolved oxygen (DQ) and spent sulfite liquor (SSL) levels in 1979 are about the same as in 1978. The 1978-1979 data shows a definite improvement over 1976-1977 data taken before SSL incineration started.
2. Ammonia (NH3) levels as measured by the Nessler Method are elevated above natural conditions. However, analysis of the data shows that mill effluent is not the cause. The measurements are believed to be in error, since the Nessler Method is not a reliable method for seawater at these low levels.
3. Analysis of sample frequency for dissolved oxygen data (1979) indicates that three days sampling per week will give sufficient data in the future.

Water quality data collected by the Port Alice Division in 1980-1981 was summarized and compared with earlier (1976-1979) data.

The following conclusions were drawn from the data analysis:

1. Improvement in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in Neroutsos Inlet was relatively fast following start-up of spent sulfite liquor recovery and incineration. The improved condition has remained the same since 1978.
2. Mill effluent levels in Neroutsos Inlet as measured by the Pearl-Benson Index paralleled the DO trend.

A two day survey in September, 1980, indicated elevated levels of ammonia in Neroutsos Inlet. Near mill samples were the highest. The accuracy of the data is in question.

A check on Port Alice Division's color measurement procedure indicated an overestimation of color levels in Neroutsos Inlet. Recommendations were made to improve the quality of the data.

During 1980, the Port Alice Environmental Laboratory of Western Forest Products Limited (formerly Rayonier Canada Limited) continued the Neroutsos Inlet monitoring program originally established in 1975. This program was expanded in 1978 to include an assessment of biological and hydrological changes within the Inlet since the start-up of the spent sulphite recovery system at the Port Alice Pulp Mill in 1977.

Many of the improvements detected in the receiving water environment during the 1978 and 1979 monitoring programs were apparent during the 1980 study as follows:

1. Primary production estimates were obtained at three stations during the 1980 study. Mean areal production at Station 1 was considerably higher than values obtained in the 1978 and 1979 studies. At Stations 2 and 5, the means fell between those of the previous two years. The trend of increasing production with increasing distance from the mill was again apparent in 1980. Peak phytoplankton counts at Stations 1 and 2 did not coincide with times of peak production. A more direct association was found at Station 5.
2. The Artificial Substrate study has generated considerably lower biomass accumulation rates at all stations as compared with the previous two study years. Accumulation rates were also less varied from station to station. A trend of reduced animal life at stations closer to the mill was again apparent. The peak value for mean periphyton diversity occurred at a station closer to the mill than in the preceeding two years.
3. The Natural Substrate study has again demonstrated a trend of decreasing species abundance at stations closest to the mill. Changes found when comparing the 1978 and 1979 data were more dramatic than those found when comparing the 1979 and 1980 data. The greatestincreases in species occurrence were noted at the three stations closest to the mill.
4. Both the Mill Vicinity and the Shoreline intertidal surveys have indicated that the quality of the receiving waters has continued to improve. It has been proposed that at the majority of stations, species that are more tolerant to pulp mill effluent have been replaced by species which can only tolerate low effluent concentrations. This has resulted in the appearance of several species at stations closer to the mill than found in the preceeding two years of study.
5. Improved water conditions were apparent from the 1980 Hydrological study. Depressed dissolved oxygen levels during the summer months were again in evidence, although only at the four stations nearest the head of the inlet. Both colour and spent sulphite liquor levels tended to decrease at stations toward the mouth of the inlet. The opposite was found in the case of secchi disc readings.

The results obtained during the present study indicate that the process of recolonization of Neroutsos Inlet is continuing at a slow rate. Improvements in the past year became apparent only through changes at the shoreline and hydrological stations near the mill. The low primary production, particularly at the 'control' station (Station 5), and the low biomass accumulation rates at all stations suggest that 1980 was a year of low productivity in the inlet. Since it was noted in the study of the preceeding year (Corbett and Campbell 1980) that 1979 appeared to be a year of high productivity, it is not surprising that the results reported here are somewhat less dramatic than those found in the past.

Intertidal and hydrological data suggest that stations toward the mouth of Neroutsos Inlet have reached a level of stability both in terms of water quality and community structure. It is expected that this stability will be found at stations closer to the mill in the following years.

The 1980 adult enumeration studies conducted from 18 September to 13 November using mark and recapture techniques indicated that the chum salmon escapement to the Cayeghle and Colonial Creek system totalled approximately 11,300 fish. The 95% confidence intervals around this estimate indicate a minimum escapement of 9,000 fish and a maximum of 13,600 fish. A Schaefer population estimate, designed for stratified populations of fish marked and recaptured over the spawning period, was calculated to validate the Petersen method. This method produced a slightly higher estimate of 11,900 fish. The Petersen estimate was used to estimate potential egg deposition.

The return to the Cayeghle and Colonial Creek system in 1980 was substantially greater than the returns of 1978 and 1979 and likely approached near saturation of available spawning habitat. The returns to secondary Neroutsos Inlet tributaries did not change. Consistent with observations in previous years, Cayuse and Teeta Creeks were estimated to contain less than 50 chum spawners. It is therefore anticipated that 99% of the migrant chum fry entering Neroutsos Inlet in the spring of 1981 will originate from the Cayeghle and Colonial systems.

The timing of the 1980 chum run to Cayeghle Creek was similar to that documented in 1978 and 1979. Chum salmon first appeared in Cayeghle Creek during early September with spawning commencing soon thereafter. Die-off was underway by the first week of October. Spawner density remained heavy from the period of 3 - 30 October, and distinct peaks in numbers were not clearly evident. All spawning activity had ceased by 12 November.

The age composition of spawning chum salmon in Neroutsos Inlet appears to vary markedly from year to year. In 1978, age 4 fish compried over 90% of the returning adults, while the dominant age class in 1979 was 3 year old fish (61%). In 1980, 3 and 4 year age groups were represented by approximately equal numbers, 51.8% and 48.2% respectively.

The adjusted egg deposition in 1980 is estimated to be 16.8 million eggs based on an escapement of 5,916 females and a mean fecundity of 2,808 eggs per female.

Coho and sockeye salmon were also recorded in Cayeghle Creek in 1980. Coho numbers hod increased significantly over previous years and were estimated to be approximately 1,000 fish. Sockeye were observed in Cayeghle Creek but only totalled 4 fish. Sockeye spawning was not observed.

Mean daily water temperatures from 19 September to 9 December confirmed that favourable and stable conditions prevailed in the creek during the chum spawning period. Temperatures ranged from a high of 10 degrees C in late September to a low of 2 degrees C In early December.

The 1980 studies indicate that chum fry from Cayeghle Creek move rapidly and freely throughout Neroutsos Inlet. Tagged fry released at the head of the inlet dispersed within 4 or 5 days to the most distant beach seine stations near Quatsino Sound. The mobility demonstrated by fry in moving seaward (maximum rate of 17 km/day) and their rapid dispersal to rearing habitats was indicative of their ability to move freely past the mill. Direct observations of fry migratory behaviour adjacent to the Port Alice Pulp Mill were limited to trawl catches of a single tagged cohort. These showed the presence of fry along a perimeter of the effluent plume. Beach seine recaptures of separately marked east and west side releases demonstrated conclusively that the fry cross the inlet freely both above and below the mill, and their ability to avoid concentrated mill effluent is presumed. Although these data do not directly answer the question of mortality due to mill effluent, they suggest that it is unlikely large numbers of fry are trapped in the zone of influence and exposed to acutely toxic concentrations of effluent.

Nearshore distribution of fry continued to reveal an avoidance of the shoreline areas bounded by the mill and for a distance of 2 km seaward on the east shore. Catch effort at station 7, 2.5 km seaward of the mill on the east side showed fry abundance approaching that of unaffected sites. Seaward of station 7 there was a slight preference shown by marked fry for east side sites. Gut contents of fry examined from the immediate vicinity of the mill suggested reduced feeding opportunities within the effluent discharge areas. This factor, plus the reduced water quality which prevails as surfac effluent disperses seaward, could account for the lack of shoreline utilization at the mill and in the polluted zone seaward.

Overall migratory characteristics of marked fry indicate that approximately 80 percent of the outmigrants move through the inlet within 5 to 8 days following entry into marine waters. Of the fry which remain to rear, approximately 8 percent stay long enough to attain a size of 55 to 60 mm in length, the threshold size associated with offshore movements. Observation of tagged fish indicate that this usually requires 35 to 45 days.

Successive tagged cohorts showed a progressively lower proportion of fry remaining in the inlet to rear, indicating that time of entry into marine waters is an important factor influencing rearing behaviour. Density dependent effects due to prior occupation of preferred habitat sites was suggested as one cause of this phenomenon. The latest migrants were also clearly affected by a widely observed phenomenon which triggers the movement of chum fry from nearshore beaches to pelagic waters in early June. Fry from the cohort released last remained in the nearshore only 15 to 24 days, despite failing to reach the size usually associated with offshore migration.

Fry which remained in Neroutsos Inlet to rear did so without expense to normal growth. Weekly mean weight increases ranged from 2.0 to 6.9 percent per day. These values are comparable with those estimated for fry rearing in the Naniamo River estuary (4.7 to 6.4 percent).

On the basis of stomach fullness, food availability did not appear limited in the inlet. After 1 - 2 days at large, nearly all fry examined contained 75 percent or greater stomach fullness. Food items consumed were similar organisms to those observed in previous years - harpacticoid copepods, gammarid amphipods and calanoid and cyclopoid copepods continued to be prevalent in the gut contents of fry at stations associated with mill effluent, and were frequently present in the stomachs of fry from up-inlet areas. The high proportion of pollution tolerant amphipods in the gut content of these fry may reflect the changes in benthic community structure induced by the mill effluent, however, these organisms were readily consumed by migrant and rearing fry.

Since there are no comparable studies of chum fry migratory behaviour in unpolluted coastal inlets it is not possible to evaluate the degree to which inlet water quality effected some of the behaviour observed, such as the high incidence of early out-migration. Surface trawls in the head-waters show that a large number of fry are committed to rapid out-migration immediately upon entering inlet waters, several kitometres above the mill. The relatively constant abundance of fry at beach seine sites in the 3 years of observation indicate a saturation of nearshore rearing habitat, and thus a relatively stable rearing population despite large fluctuations in fry recruitment. Therefore, it appears that the impact of the sulphite mill consists primarily of the possible loss of approximately 2 km of nearshore habitat plus a localized reduction in water quality adjacent to the mill. It is our impression that the behaviour of the Neroutsos Inlet population, while influenced by these environmental effects, is probably not atypical of chum fry behaviour in other fjord-like inlets along the BC coast.

Fisheries studies were conducted from 17 March to 22 June, 1978, to describe the timing, relative abundance and migratory pathways of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in the upper headwaters of Neroutsos Inlet, Vancouver Island.

Catch results obtained by beach seine, surface trawl and fyke net indicated the downstream migration to inlet waters began in late February and seaward migration concluded in early June. After entering Neroutsos Inlet juvenile chum salmon dispersed in offshore inlet waters and along the eastern and western shorelines of the narrow waterbody. Most migrants passed through the headwaters in migratory corridors which paralleled each shoreline. In the vicinity of Port Alice east side migrants were absent from nearshore areas and did not reappear until some 2.0 to 2.5 km down-inlet. A gradual increase in juvenile chum salmon abundance seaward of this "avoidance zone" indicated recruitment from up-inlet east bank locations had probably taken place.

Juvenile chum captures revealed that seaward migration peaked in mid to late April. In early May migrant numbers showed a decline and by the end of the month most juveniles had passed seaward of the Frigon Islets. Juvenile chum salmon were rare at all shoreline stations sampled in Neroutsos Inlet during 19-21 June.

Length-frequency distributions indicated that most juvenile chum salmon migrated through the upper headwaters of Neroutsos Inlet at sizes less than 50 mm in length. Mean lengths of pooled juvenile chum salmon captured offshore and at eastern and western shoreline locations indicated west side migrants were consistently greater in size. It was not possible to attribute these differences solely to growth attained during rearing due to a host of factors such as size of recruitment, recruitmet rate and rate of emigration. During migration juvenile chum salmon fed principally upon estuarine/marine crustaceans. Most important food items were harpacticoid copepods and gammarid amphipods. Anisogammarus confervicolus and A. pugettensis were the principal amphipods ingested.

Physical characteristics and water quality conditions measured at fish sampling sites did not indicate any clear relationships between juvenile chum salmon captures and mill effluent parameters, including ammonia-nitrogen, pH and the Pearl-Bensen Index. Water quality in general, however, declined steadily from early March through the downstream migratory period as a result of the combined effects of mill effluent and reduced circulation in the study area. Dissolved oxygen concentrations during the primary migratory period ranged from means of 6.8 to 4.3 mg/l, with highest levels found in surface waters. By late June dissolved oxygen levels had declined to means of 3.0 to 3.2 mg/l, however, by this time the migration had passed seaward of the study area and likely the entire inlet.

A postulated zone of influence based upon field and laboratory studies of the sublethal and lethal effects of sulphite mill effluent (SME) upon juvenile salmonids and herring has been described by E.V.S. Consultants Ltd. in this report series. This region was further divided into three major areas where either lethal, avoidance, or occasional avoidance and possible growth effects were observed on fish in test enclosures. Sampling results obtained during this study confirmed in part the boundaries suggested by the toxicity studies. Nearshore catch data (beach seine) indicated the avoidance zone (0.2 km above and 2.0 km below the mill) did describe accurately the shoreline habitat not utilized by migrant salmonids during the study. Offshore catch data (trawl) were unable to detect any statistical differences in catch throughout the study area, and as such no significant differences in fish abundance near the mill could be attributed to avoidance. The gradual build-up of juvenile chum salmon numbers seaward of 2.0 km below the mill does suggest, however, that fish are successful in avoiding high effluent concentrations. What percentage of these were east side migrants is not known.

As part of the continuing Rayonier Canada (BC) Ltd. juvenile chum salmon fisheries program enumeration studies of adult chum salmon were undertaken between 3 October and 17 November 1978 in the major headwater streams entering Neroutsos Inlet. Field studies using tag and recovery techniques were conducted to obtain a population estimation of the number of chum salmon spawning in Cayeghle and Colonial Creeks, and to determine potential egg deposition for estimation of outmigrant fry production in 1979. Visual counts, undertaken by float census, provided information on spawner distribution and escapements to secondary stream systems.

Based upon the ratio of marked to unmarked carcasses enumerated on spawning grounds, the chum salmon escapement to Cayeghle and Colonial Creeks was calculated to be 3,347 fish using the modified-Petersen estimate. The 95 percent confidence interval indicated that the minimum escapement of chum salmon to the system was 2,657 fish, and a maximum of 4,350 fish. Of the 327 tags released, 19 percent were recovered. Visual surveys in Cayuse and Teeta Creeks indicated negligible spawning took place in these systems.

Float census indicated that the upstream limits of chum salmon spawning was 1.5 km from the mouth of Cayeghle Creek. However, spawning was heaviest (70 percent) above the maximum intrusion of saline water (0.5 km) to the confluence of Colonial Creek, 1.0 km upstream.

Potential egg deposition to spawning grounds in the Cayeghle/Colonial Creek system was estimated at 4.9 million eggs based upon a mean fecundity of 2,950 eggs. Egg retention was less than 0.01 percent.

Sex ratios based on carcass identification indicated that equal numbers of male and females were present on spawning grounds. Age composition ranged from 2 to 5 yers with age 4 fish of the 1974 brood year comprising over 90 percent of the fish examined.

In general, escapements of chum salmon to Neroutsos Inlet tributaries in 1978 appear poor given the estimated record brood year of 28,000 fish in the Cayeghle/Colonial Creek complex in 1974. Although the relationship between high and low brood years to returning stock size is weak, historical escapement records have indicated a significant increase in numbers of chum salmon utilizing inlet tributaries since 1967.

Mark and recapture studies conducted between 21 September and 15 November indicated chum salmon returns to the Cayeghle and Colonial Creek system in 1979 were approximately 4,897 fish. The 95% confidence interval around the point estimate suggested a possible minimum escapement of 3,942 fish and a maximum of 6,253 fish. As a means of validating the Peterson estimate, a Schaeffer population estimate was also made. This method produced a slightly lower, but similar estimate of 4,584 fish. The Peterson estimate was therefore considered valid and used to estimate potential egg deposition.

Stock returns to other Neroutsos Inlet tributaries appeared to fail in all systems except Cayuse Creek, where less than 50 fish were estimated to have spawned in 1979. This observation is consistent with that of the 1978 escapement, when spawners were absent from all inlet streams, except the Cayeghle and Colonial Creek system. Outmigrant fry monitoring in each of the inlet's secondary tributaries during spring 1979 further confirmed the absence of spawners in those systems in the fall of 1978. It is anticipated therefore, that no greater than 1% of the migrant fry entering inlet waters in the spring of 1980 will have originated from areas outside Cayeghle and Colonial Creeks.

Chum salmon appeared to first enter Cayeghle Creek in mid-September with spawning commencing soon thereafter. Die-off was underway by the first week of October. There was no clear peak observed in spawning activity as numbers of spawners on spawning grounds remained relatively constant from 3 October through 2 November. All spawning activity had ceased by 11 November.

Age composition of spawners in 1979 varied markedly from the previous year. In 1978, age 4 fish of the 1974 brood year comprised over 90% of the returning adults. The dominant year class in 1979 however was age 3 (61%) fish. As a result of the reduction in dominant age class, mean fecundity declined nearly 5% from the previous year. Based on an escapement of 2,628 females the adjusted egg deposition in 1979 is estimated to be 7.3 million eggs.

All five species of Pacific salmon were recorded in Cayeghle Creek in 1979. Coho numbers had increased significantly over the previous year and were estimated to be approximately 300 fish. After being absent from the system since 1963, chinook salmon were observed in Colonial Creek by Department of Fisheries and Oceans personnel at levels approximating 25 fish. Incidental sightings of sockeye and pink salmon were also made.

Monitoring of stream bed profiles over the spawning period indicated no significant changes had occurred. Mean daily water temperature from 23 September to 30 November confirmed that favourable conditions prevailed in the creek during the early winter period. Temperature ranged from a high of 12oC in late September to a low of 3.5 degrees C in late November.

1. This report presents the adult salmonid enumeration studies undertaken in creeks entering Neroutsos Inlet. Beak Consultants Limited executed these studies on behalf of Western Forest Products Limited in 1981. Field activities were conducted from 21 September through 13 December 1981.
2. Chum salmon escapement estimates for Cayeghle and Colonial Creeks were calculated by mark and recapture methods. The Petersen estimate for the number of chum salmon returning to Cayeghle and Colonial Creeks in 1981 was 9,700 fish (95% confidence limits of 7,700 and I 2,300) while the more precise Schaefer estimate was 9, 100 fish + 200 fish. The number of chum salmon in Cayuse and Teeta Creeks was visually estimated to be between 50 and 100 in each system.
3. Chum salmon entered Cayeghle and Colonial Creeks in early September, reached a spawning peak in early October, and completed spawning in early November. Chum did not enter Teeta and Cayuse Creeks until mid-October.
4. Overcrowding of chum salmon spawners likely occurred in 1981. This condition was also noted in 1980 in Cayeghle and Colonial Creeks. The chum spawner carrying capacity of Cayeghle and Colonial Creeks was estimated at approximately 6,000 fish.
5. Age analysis showed that the chum salmon in 1981 were predominantly age 4 (88%), although the population also contained 3 year olds (9%) and 5 year olds (3%).
6. Average chum fork lengths recorded in 1981 were 780 mm + 40 mm for males and 710 + 40 mm for females. Average chum post orbital hypural lengths for males was 595 + 3.4 mm and 567 + 3.0 mm for females.
7. The chum sex ratio was 50:50.
8. The estimated potential egg deposition for chum in the Cayeghle/Colonial system in 1981 was 13.3 million.
9. The number of coho salon that returned to Cayeghle and Colonial Creeks in 1981 was visually estimated to be approximately 550 fish. Between 40 and 50 coho returned to Teeta Creek while fewer returned to Cayuse Creek.
10. Coho were present in all creeks in early September, but did not spawn until late November and early December. Maps were compiled describing observed and potential coho spawning areas in all systems.
11. Juvenile salmonids were sampled in all creeks by electroshocker. Coho fry were largest in Cayeghle Creek and most abundant in Colonial Creek. Trout parr were of similar size in all creeks with the exception of Teeta Creek where they were relatively small. Trout parr were most abundant in Cayeghle Creek.
12. Other species of salmonid adults sighted in small numbers in Cayeghle and Colonial Creeks in 1981 included 45 sockeye, 6 pinks, 3 chinooks and 2 steelhead trout.

Biological quality in Neroutsos Inlet has deteriorated since the implementation of pulp mill operations in the area in 1917. Previous studies have indicated that effects may range as far as Quatsino Sound. A biological programme was carried out that included studies using artificial substrates, natural intertidal substrates and plankton evaluations. Also, a hydrological study including physical and chemical parameters was done in winter conditions to supplement those done previously in the summer.

This study substantiates previous studies with the observation that biological quality in Neroutsos Inlet is deteriorated. This is demonstrated most vividly in the intertidal and sub-tidal areas but is not quite so evident in plankton populations.

The hydrological study shows that better mixing and dispersion of mill effluents occurs under winter conditions, the maximum dispersal zone occurring at the mouth of Neroutsos Inlet. Evidence of pulp mill effluents, though, extends out into Quatsino Sound.

This report series describes the second year (1979) of environmental studies at Port Alice carried out by Rayonier Canada, utilizing company personnel, private consultants and academic groups. Results of the previous year's work and plans for the forthcoming year are reviewed by the Provincial and Federal agencies concerned.

During 1979, little change from 1978 characteristics in effluent and water quality were seen. Some intertidal organisms were documented closer to the mill than in 1978, perhaps reflecting long-term response to prior improvements. Large variations in primary productivity and plankton standing crop values between sampling dates and locations complicate interpretation.

Chum salmon populatons appear healthy, and are similar in numbers and migratory behavior as reported in 1978. Adult populations are in the munerical ranges estimated for the last several years.

A program for 1980 has been approved which will further define some of the questionable fishery concerns. This compendium of results from 1979, then, is an interim report - bridging the initial year which constituted the first major effort in Neroutsos Inlet, and the 1980 research effort which will be a major break-point for quantitative assessment of environmental impact.

A four year environmental impact study was conducted in Neroutsos Inlet on Vancouver Island, BC The study began in 1978 following the 1977 instalation and start up of a "recovery system" at the Port Alice sulfite pulp mill. The system resulted in the destruction of 80-90% of digester wastes, and a 70% reduction in BOD5 discharged. A counterpart improvement in dissolved oxygen in the Inlet has occurred. Chum salmon populations (Oncorhynchus keta) by far the most important species in the Inlet, were found to be normal. Downstream migrants move rapidly out, selectively avoiding the mill area. The returning adult populations exceeded the spawning capacity of the fresh water streams in both 1980 and 1981. However, certain biological impacts are still seen in the near mill area, and about 5% of the Inlet is still impacted for juvenile salmonid use. The effluent is still toxic at high concentrations.

It is felt this study has accomplished its purpose of supplying a workable perspective for assessing the environmental versus economic needs of the area.

A sulfite pulp mill, now owned by Rayonier Canada (BC) Ltd, has been in operation since 1917 at Port Alice, BC Until recently, its effluents have been discharged essentially untreated into the adjacent waters of Neroutsos Inlet. A very major pollution abatement installation - a recovery system for collection and incineration of spent cooking liquor - was completed in the fall of 1977. In 1978 Rayonier instituted an extensive environmental impact study of the Neroutsos Inlet area, involving both Provincial and Federal governmental agencies, academic and private consultant groups, as well as the company's personnel. This series of reports presents the 1973 results of these investigations covering water quality, primary productivity, benthic organisms salmonid migrants, and toxicity studies of the effluent, in an effort to assess the overall quality of the environment, the benefits of the abatement program to date, and possible further abatement needs.

The results to date show a pronounced improvement in the physical and chemical aspects of water quality. Limited local effects are still seen, however, in the immediate mill area. Salmonid populations appear to be within normal ranges for unpolluted waters and there is evidence of increases in certain other biological forms. However, in view of the observed variations in the populations, further study is recommended to better define and evaluate the controlling factors behind these variations. No environmental condition observed in 1978 is considered sufficiently critical that the necessary time cannot be taken to better define the problem.

The benthic population to be expected in Northumberland Channel ought to be diverse and abundant according to collections taken from similar habitats and depths elsewhere on the BC coast. The exact species association cannot be predicted with any certainty, since populations vary considerably in nearby areas. Fishery species of groundfish (at least in juvenile stages) and crustacea should also be abundant. Surveys of the impact of pulp mill wastes on benthos in BC, Scotland and Sweden demonstrate very substantial reduction in species diversity, and substantial missing biomass. Preliminary sampling in Northumberland Channel shows that some benthic impact has occurred. To what extent missing benthic biomass has impact on commercially important fishery species is not at present clear.

In addition to direct impact on benthos, probably through toxicity from dissolved and leached components, and habitat alteration by deposited materials, it is possible that impacts arise from the development of a bacterial sulfuretum.

A field programme is developed, commencing with benthic, oceanographic and fish sampling in August - September 1982. Chemical and bacterial investigations are also appropriate.

The seabed in Northumberland Channel adjacent to the submarine outfall of the Harmac Mill supports at the water column interface a mat of filamentous material tentatively identified as a form of the sulphide oxidising bacterium Beggiatoa. Such mats are known to form on the seabed as part of organically enriched, e.g. cellulose-metabolising and other (often natural), ecosystems (sulphureta). At one marine discharging pulp mill, the sulphuretum is known to have come into a state of equilibrium with the effluent discharge, with a net export of nutrients released to the water column from the sediment. Northumberland Channel is now being investigated to determine the extent of the bacterial mat, and its spatial relationship with benthic species associations.

Results to date show that the seabed in Northumberland Channel is in a dynamic state in which various changes occur at different time-scales, ranging from a few weeks to 1 or more years. The extent of the Beggiatoa bacterial mat near the outfall may fluctuate over a distance of 1 or more km along the channel. Populations of macrobenthos on the mat fluctuate such that the mat at times supports a substantial population of a least two species of shrimps, and other species. Populations of infaunal benthos fluctuate such that an abundant and diverse fauna of small polychaete worms and other species may be present close to the outfall. Sediment redox and pH characteristics may fluctuate such that extreme reducing conditions may occur near the outfall only within limited depths (2 - 15 cm), or may occur throughout the area to depths of 45 cm with no apparent relationship to the infaunal benthos.

It is suggested that the university investigation proceed to completion of the intended M.Sc. thesis by I. Ostrovsky, and that Harmac Division analyse recorded discharge parameters back to at least 1980 to determine whether any changes in effluent properties relate to the recorded ecosystem fluctuations. The university will co-operate in providing additional biological-chemical ecosystem results as they become available.

On March 15-17, 1983 a benthic survey, using the submersible Pisces IV, was conducted in Northumberland Channel. This survey was one of a series undertaken in this area to investigate the benthos and a bacteria growth found on the bottom. A map of the distribution of the sulfur bacteria Beggiatoa in the reference area and in the area of the diffuser (test area) was produced. Nine benthic transects were made to count the macrobenthos. The results of the transects show abundant fauna (primarily shrimp, crabs, flatfish and polychaetes) in the reference area and in the test area as well.

The 1980 Harmac receiving water program serves as a continuation of monitoring programs initiated in 1973 in compliance with conditions set out in the Harmac Division effluent discharge permit. Plate settlement studies of intertidal communities were discontinued in 1980 in favour of surveys of biota on the natural beach substrates. The beach surveys were designed to "qualitatively" document the natural beach communities on a yearly basis. Color photographic records of both random and selected "photo document quadrats" were used to record changes in dominant community associations.

All intertidal stations, with the exception of Station C, showed lush and generally diverse algal coverage. The local abundance of macroinvertebrates such as seastars, barnacles, anemones, limpets, amphipods, isopods, and litterinids indicated little, if any, impact from dispersed effluents. The restricted algae coverage at Station C was limited to the high and mid-intertidal zones and is likely a result of substrate instabilities, desication and wave shock rather than water quality conditions.

Water quality parameters were measured during the summer (July) and winter (December) of 1980. The trends recorded in the 1980 survey correspond with those noted in earlier studies (1976-1979) in that all parameters measured were within seasonal norms.

MacMillan Bloedel Limited's Harmac pulp mill is a 1060 metric tonnes per day Kraft pulp mill located on Northumberland Channel, British Columbia. Since commencing operations in 1950, the mill has discharged combined process effluents into Northumberland Channel. Mill effluents were originally released to the surface waters of the channel, producing a highly visible and odorous plume. Between 1970-1976 reduced intertidal biological diversity was documented in areas of effluent impingement from Duke Point to Dodd Narrows located southeast of the mill. In response to these concerns the mill in 1976 installed a submarine outfall and diffuser to divert effluent from the surface waters to the deepwaters of Northumberland Channel. The effective removal of mill effluent from the surface waters resulted in a rapid recovery of previously impacted intertidal areas of the mill receiving waters. However, the discovery in 1978 of a white flocculant bacterial deposit off of the Harmac diffuser has refocused environmental research into the effects of diffused effluent on the deepwaters and benthic ecosystem of Northumberland Channel.

The impact of the marine waste discharge from the pulp and paper mill at Annat point in Scotland has been intensively investigated since 1963. A bibliography is provided of published papers in professional literature, and of theses. The major significance to other pulp and paper mill discharge impact assessment programmes is the degree of work on the chemistry and microbiology of cellulose decomposition, relationships to anoxic conditions, and related macrobenthos impact.

The scale of waste discharges to the marine environment from the pulp and paper industry in various parts of the world is outlined and a brief description of the major charactenstics of such wastes is given. The information available on the direct toxicity of these wastes to marine fauna and flora is assessed including both lethal and sublethal effects. The environmental impact of waste discharge and subsequent ecosystem modifications are considered in detail; the complex adjustments to the nutrient and carbon budgets of the water column and sediment involved in direct alterations to their oxygen balance and other indirect eutrophication effects are described. It is concluded that whereas the direct toxicity of these wastes has minimal effect in the marine environment the complex problems created by increasing the oxygen demand of the receiving waters can have considerable impact in inshore areas. Methods of minimising the effect of such impacts and of forecasting their extent are outlined.

"He saw its excreta poisoning the seas. He became watchful" (Hughes, l970).

Cellulose levels in the Sediments of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil were measured over a period of years following the introduction of pulp mill effluent to the system. Celulose levels in experimental sediment systems subjected to pulp fibre inputs at levels simulating various possible loch input levels were measured and compared. No permanent build up of cellulose in either the loch systems or the experimental sytems was observed, even at high input levels.

Pulp fibre degradation rates were measured experimentally using two different techniques. No diference was found between the degradation rates of wet and pre-dried fibre.

Degradation rates equivalent to O.2g dry fibre /m2 /day were found in areas of low fibre input and O.5 g dry fibre /m2/day in areas of high input were recorded. These rates were of the same order as, but somewhat lower than, the probable input rates to the sediments in Loch Eil. Speculations as to possible reasons for this are advanced.

Sampling for changes in intertidal communities, and deep water benthic invertebrates was undertaken as part of a continuing marine, biological monitoring program at the Powell River Mill. No changes in intertidal populations due to mill effluent were apparent. However, settlement of algae and invertebrates on artificial substrates was poor at all sites including those which served as controls. Changes in the sampling technique to follow recently established protocols were recommended for future intertidal studies. Benthic invertebrate populations collected from 20 deep water stations in Malaspina Strait showed changes in dominant indicator species which suggested conditions of increased organic enrichment since the previous sampling in 1979. Computer cluster analysis also indicated that sites southeast of the mill were more similar biologically in 1981 than in 1979. The changes observed could not be directly related to the diffuser in the absence of a reliable effluent tracer. Changes in other biological parameters (e.g. diversity, biomass) since 1979 occurred at some sites, but no obvious pattern related to mill effluent was apparent. Values for total organic carbon content of the sediments were elevated near the mill and decreased with distance from the outfall. Continued benthic monitoring was recommended to establish whether the changes in biological communities observed to date are trends related to the diffuser discharge or to natural factors.

The bivalves Protothaca staminea and Mytilus edulis were exposed to five depths of decomposing bark from an active log transfer facihty for 13-96 days in a field experiment at Auke Bay, Alaska. Survival and condition of both species was inversely related to depth and duration of bark coverage. As little as 6cm of bark reduced survival; survival declined most rapidly between 10 and 15 cm of bark. The depths of bark under which half the animals died after 96 days of exposure were 12.8 + 1.6 cm for P. staminea and 10.9 + 1.5 cm for M. edulis. Interstitial water in the bark deposits had low concentrations of dissolved 02 (2.5-5.3 mg/liter) and elevated concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (1.0-8.1 mg/liter total sulfide) and ammonia (46-131 ug-at N/liter) compared to the surface water from the control treatment. Survival of P. staminea and M. edulis was inversely related to concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia and directly related to dissolved 02 concentrations.

Thirteen inactive log transfer facilities (LTF's) located in estuaries in southeastern Alaska were studied from July 1985 to March 1986 to determine the relationship between the size (area and volume) of benthic bark deposits and strength of near-bottom water currents at LTF's. Other independent variables studied were:

1. amount of timber transferred from land to water at LTF's,
2. number of years since the LTF was last operated,
3. particle size distribution of benthic sediments,
4. weather patterns, and
5. bathymetry of the estuaries containing the LTF's.

The only variable significantly (P < 0.10) correlated with the area (R2 = 0.29) and volume (R2 = 0.24) of bark deposits was the amount of timber transferred at the LTF's.

This report provides a review of the Environmental Effects Monitoring Program (EEMP) conducted by the Environmental Protection Service (EPS) of Environment Canada at ten British Columbia coastal pulp mills. In addition, this report evaluates the ability of current and past EEMPs at these ten locations to generate data suitable for detecting long-term trends. Where appropriate, changes are recommended to ensure that data sets and information generated by EEMPs are scientifically defensible, environmentally meaningful, and adequate for detecting trends in environmental quality at coastal sites. Finally, the report offers a more general description of a process by which an EEMP can be developed, based in part on the program developed by the Vancouver EPS Marine Group. This generic description is designed to assist in designing and establishing appropriate EEMPs in other Environment Canada regional offices. It lays the groundwork for the development of a national generic EEMP based on a consistent set of defensible guidelines.