Causal Effects of Increased Suspended Sediments on the

Aquatic Biota of the Fraser River Watershed

Introduction

One of the largest sources of water pollution in the Fraser river watershed is

suspended solids. Suspended solids consist of inorganic (silt, soil, clays, etc.) and organic

(algae, zooplankton, bacteria and detritus) components (Bisson & Bilby 1982). The

inorganic components of these suspended solids are often more harmful as is the case in

the Fraser river system (Figure. 1). Primarily, these solids would be produced or originate

from the agricultural and urban areas surrounding the Fraser River. At high ambient

concentrations, it is possible for suspended solids to have adverse effects on the aquatic

biota of a system (Bisson & Bilby 1982). Knowledge of the relationship between ambient

concentrations and contaminating emissions is imperative to sustaining stable aquatic

environments. This paper investigates the possibility of current and past effects of

suspended solids on the aquatic biota of the Fraser River, estuary and surrounding

oceanic waters. It is predicted that if there is an increase in suspended solids, there will be

a changes in species abundance in the resident communities. Also, if any species

abundance changes do occur, they will be more pronounced in the Fraser estuary.

Discussion

The sources of suspended solids in the Fraser river system were found to

originate from anthropogenic activities. The main sources are intrinsically linked to

agriculture. It was found that land clearing for agriculture and associated soil degradation
over several years led to the uptake of large amounts of soil by rainwater annually.

Similar studies report that approximately 2 billion tones of soil are lost each year in the

surrounding area of the Fraser River and that 55% is agricultural runoff (Laws, pg 137,

2000). The majority of the agricultural runoff is nitrogen and phosphorus enriched

material at 35% and 20% respectively (Laws, pg 133, 2000). Another source of pollution

was identified as the logging practice which is considerable in the British Columbian

region. The clearing of forest for lumber and associated road production, creates a

floodplain due to the water sequestration usually performed by the trees being eliminated.

Consequently, this allows for the underlying soil to be eroded and carried off to

contribute to the sediment load of the river systems. Associatively, when the trees are

formed into logs and floated on the river, wood debris which displays a high BOD upon

decomposition is created and accumulates in the sediment. One further cause to high

sediment load in the fraser river watershed is the anthropogenic waste and storm water

from urban areas.

Ecological ramifications of these water pollution sources are readily apparent

upon study. The salmon fisheries are largely affected due to suspended sediments acting

directly on free living fish either by killing them or reducing their growth rate and disease

resistance (Figure. 2). This can occur due to suspended solids interfering with the

development of eggs and larvae, modification of natural migrations and reducing food

available to the salmon (Lisle and Lewis 1992). A similar effect is depicted when

studying periphyton. Land runoff due to cleared forests in combination with sewer inputs

into the system can create a high flow within the Fraser river systems. High flow and

suspended sediments can have adverse effects on light penetration thus, decreasing algal
production, and if flow is fast enough, scour algae from substrates (Newcombe and

Macdonald 1991). In direct association with the effect on periphyton, benthic

invertebrates are impacted due to the reduction in periphyton population. Additionally,

suspended sediments can reduce the filter feeding efficiency of the macro-invertebrate if

sediments clog the feeding structures. These effects, if consistent, would ultimately lead

to reduced growth rates of the macro-invertebrates and periphyton of the Fraser River

watershed (Langer 1980).

The Frazer estuary is a fragile environment with inhabitants that are only able to

coincide with very finite salinities changes. Due to this fragile environment, it is feasible

to assume that any slight change may push the equilibrium too far and thus be readily

identifiable in the aquatic inhabitants of the system. This was investigated in a study by

Burd in 2008 in which the heavily deposited areas on the south arm of the estuary

underwent a shift from bivalves to polychaetes as the dominant filter feeder. This

research correlates with research done by Monbet in 1992 in which the large amounts of

suspended solids were found to alter the natural salt wedge in the estuary and thus, the

dominant fauna. Furthermore, upon investigation of the Georgia strait surrounding the

estuary, elevated sulphides in the outflow from the river have stimulated enrichment-

related invertebrate faunal changes (MacPherson et al. 2007). This combined research

provides support for the hypothesis and presents suspended solids as a possible effecter in

the Fraser River system.

Remediation of the practices that have lead to the increased suspended sediments

can be accomplished through riparian forests, conservation tillage and combined sewer

and storm water systems. The installation of riparian forests between agricultural areas
and the river systems can be instrumental in reducing agricultural runoff. A study done

by Peterjohn and Correll in 1984 on a standard farming plot in which the installed

riparian forest retained 89% of the nitrogen in the runoff and 80% of the phosphorus.

This practice, coupled with a change in farming practices to conservation tillage in which

cultivation is done in the fall to allow a cover crop to grow over the winter which protects

the soil and decreases soil runoff due to less degradation (Gaynor and Findlay 1995), can

reduce sediment loads in the Fraser River watershed. Additionally, the combination of

waste and storm water sewer systems can reduce suspended sediment and BOD content

by 85% (Laws, pg 142, 2000). The incorporation of all three of these practices could

potentially lower fraser river sediment loads a substantial amount allowing for a

sustainable river system and overall biotic health of the Fraser River watershed.

Conclusion

The results of the study support the hypothesis in that obvious species abundance

changes were observed in the Fraser River watershed due to increased suspended solids

present in the system. Similarly, these findings support both predictions in that change in

species abundances were identified and were especially evident in the Fraser estuary.

Possible remediation of the increased sediment loads are perceived through methods such

as riparian forests, combined sewer systems and conservation tillage.

Occurrences like this can be avoided in the future if scientists or ecological

managers were provided with information that related the magnitude of pollution

episodes to effects on aquatic ecosystems so effects of new development schemes can be

properly evaluated for their potentially ecologically harmful side-effects. Unfortunately,

this cannot be accomplished with the current implicit concentration-response model of

suspended sediment effects. Implementation of a model which could provide scientists

with this knowledge is possible, and restructuring of the economy before sustainable

management mindset present in the government today is mandatory for the continued

health of the Fraser River watershed.

Appendix

Figure. 1: Visual depiction of the Fraser River watershed

Figure. 2: relationship between log (ln) of suspended sediment concentration and severity
of impact on salmonid and aquatic invertebrates.
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