National Assessment of the Pulp and Paper Environmental Effects Monitoring Data

In Canada, all pulp and paper mills need to conduct environmental effects monitoring (EEM) as part of the requirements of the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations under the Fisheries Act. EEM studies typically consist of a benthic invertebrate survey, a fish population survey, and an analysis of possible impacts on fish usability. This assessment of Cycle 2 Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) data was conducted to determine the type and magnitude of effects occurring on fish and benthic invertebrate communities on a national scale. The predominant response pattern observed in benthic invertebrate communities across the country was one of mild to moderate eutrophication, particularly in riverine habitats, although more pronounced eutrophication was observed at a few mills. These response patterns were characterized by increases in abundance and either increases or decreases in taxon richness. In contrast, the average response pattern observed in marine/estuarine habitats was more indicative of toxic or smothering effects (decreases in both abundance and taxon richness). The benthic invertebrate response in lakes was intermediate between those in riverine and marine/estuarine habitats, although there were indications of large changes in community composition. The predominant response pattern seen in fish across the country was a decrease in gonad weight and increases in liver weight, condition, and weight at age. This is believed to be indicative of some form of metabolic disruption in combination with a nutrient enrichment effect. With respect to gender, male and female fish showed similar responses for all endpoints, with greater decreases in gonad weight being observed for female fish. The metabolic disruption/nutrient enrichment observed in fish overlapped the eutrophication results seen in benthos. The sublethal toxicity data showed a national improvement in effluent quality at Canadian pulp and paper mills between Cycles 1 and 2. This improvement is largely attributed to the installation of secondary treatment systems after Cycle 1 at many mills across the country. In summary, effluent quality has vastly improved since the PPER were promulgated; however, effects on benthic invertebrates and fish are still being seen. iv Résumé Au Canada, toutes les fabriques de pâtes et papiers sont tenues de faire un suivi des effets sur l'environnement (SEE) dans le cadre des exigences du Règlement sur les effluents des fabriques de pâtes et papiers (REFPP) pris en application de la Loi sur les pêches. Le SEE consiste généralement en une étude sur les invertébrés benthiques, une étude sur les populations de poissons et …