Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality€¦ · Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Total E&P Canada Ltd. Calgary, Alberta BBinder Section Pages.indd cover8inder Section

Environmental Baseline Study:

Water Quality

Total E&P Canada Ltd.Calgary, Alberta

Binder Section Pages.indd cover8Binder Section Pages.indd cover8 12/11/2007 1:53:19 PM12/11/2007 1:53:19 PM

Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Table of Contents

TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page i

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1 Background .................................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Focus of Baseline Investigations .................................................................................................. 1-1 1.3 Study Areas .................................................................................................................................. 1-3

1.3.1 Local Study Area ............................................................................................................. 1-3 1.3.2 Regional Study Area ....................................................................................................... 1-3

1.4 Background Water Quality Information ....................................................................................... 1-6 2 Methods ....................................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Local Study Area .......................................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1.1 Sample Collection ........................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.2 Laboratory Analysis ........................................................................................................ 2-3

2.2 Regional Study Area .................................................................................................................... 2-3 2.3 Review of Historical Data ............................................................................................................ 2-3 2.4 Data Summary and Evaluation ..................................................................................................... 2-6 2.5 Quality Assurance and Quality Control ....................................................................................... 2-9 3 Results ......................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 August 2007 Data Collected in the Local Study Area.................................................................. 3-1

3.1.1 North Saskatchewan River .............................................................................................. 3-1 3.1.2 Astotin Creek ................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.2 Historical Water Quality in the Regional Study Area .................................................................. 3-3 3.2.1 Seasonal Variation in North Saskatchewan River Water Quality ................................... 3-8 3.2.2 Longitudinal Variation in North Saskatchewan River Water Quality ........................... 3-10 3.2.3 Lateral Variation in North Saskatchewan River Water Quality .................................... 3-11 3.2.4 Acid Sensitivity of Regional Lakes ............................................................................... 3-13

4 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Local Study Area .......................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Regional Study Area .................................................................................................................... 4-1 5 References ................................................................................................................................... 5-1 5.1 Literature Cited............................................................................................................................. 5-1 Appendix A Detailed Water Quality Data Tables........................................................................... A-1 Appendix B Quality Assurance and Quality Control ...................................................................... B-1

List of Tables

Table 2.3-1 North Saskatchewan River Water Quality Sampling Data .............................................. 2-4 Table 2.4-1 Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life, and Human and

Wildlife Health ................................................................................................................ 2-7 Table 3.1-1 Range of Indicator Parameter Values for the North Saskatchewan River and

Astotin Creek – August 2007 .......................................................................................... 3-2 Table 3.2-1 Range of Indicator Parameter Values for North Saskatchewan River Stations

Based on Historical Data ................................................................................................. 3-5 Table 3.2-2 Summary of Guideline Exceedances in the North Saskatchewan River at Fort

Saskatchewan, Vinca and Pakan ..................................................................................... 3-6

Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Table of Contents

December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page ii

Table 3.2-3 Summary of Water Chemistry Data Related to Acid Sensitivity of Lakes in the Vicinity of the TOTAL Lands ....................................................................................... 3-15

Table A-1 Water Quality of the North Saskatchewan River and Astotin Creek in August 2007 ................................................................................................................................ A-3

Table A-2 Water Quality Data Collected in June 2006 in Astotin Creek ........................................ A-9 Table A-3 Summary of Historical Water Quality Data for the North Saskatchewan River at

Fort Saskatchewan ........................................................................................................ A-11 Table A-4 Summary of Historical Water Quality Data for the North Saskatchewan River at

Vinca ............................................................................................................................ A-19 Table A-5 Summary of Historical Water Quality Data for the North Saskatchewan River at

Pakan ............................................................................................................................ A-25 Table A-6 Lateral Variation in Water Quality in the North Saskatchewan River at Vinca ........... A-33 Table A-7 Lateral Variation in Water Quality in the North Saskatchewan River at the NGL

Pipeline Crossing .......................................................................................................... A-35 Table B-1 Quality Control Data for Water Quality Samples Collected During the August 2,

2007 Field Program ......................................................................................................... B-6

List of Figures

Figure 1.1-1 TOTAL Lands ................................................................................................................. 1-2 Figure 1.3-1 Water Quality Local Study Area ..................................................................................... 1-4 Figure 1.3-2 Water Quality Regional Study Area ................................................................................ 1-5 Figure 2.1-1 2007 Water Quality Sampling Locations and Historical Sampling Locations ................ 2-2 Figure 2.3-1 Locations of Regional Lakes Selected for Evaluating Acid Sensitivity .......................... 2-5 Figure 3.2-1 Seasonal Variation in Ammonia Concentration in the North Saskatchewan River ........ 3-8 Figure 3.2-2 Seasonal Variation in Aluminum Concentration in the North Saskatchewan River ....... 3-9 Figure 3.2-3 Seasonal Variation in Total Suspended Solids Concentration in the North

Saskatchewan River ........................................................................................................ 3-9 Figure 3.2-4 Longitudinal Variation in Chlorophyll a Concentration in the

North Saskatchewan River ............................................................................................ 3-10 Figure 3.2-5 Longitudinal Variation in Total Suspended Solids Concentration in the North

Saskatchewan River ...................................................................................................... 3-11 Figure 3.2-6 Lateral Variation in Nutrient Concentrations in the North Saskatchewan River

Downstream of Edmonton ............................................................................................. 3-12 Figure 3.2-7 Lateral Variation in Total Organic Carbon and Total Suspended Solids

Concentrations in the North Saskatchewan River Downstream of Edmonton .............. 3-12

Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Acronyms and Abbreviations

TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page iii

Acronyms and Abbreviations

AENV ...................................................................................................... Alberta Environment ALS ......................................................................................... Australian Laboratory Services APHA ............................................................................. American Public Health Association BOD ............................................................................................ biochemical oxygen demand CAEAL ............................. Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories CCME ...................................................... Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Chl a .................................................................................................................... chlorophyll a DO ................................................................................................................. dissolved oxygen DOC .................................................................................................. dissolved organic carbon DP ........................................................................................................... dissolved phosphorus EIA ...................................................................................... environmental impact assessment GPS .................................................................................................. global positioning system LSA .................................................................................................................. local study area MDL ...................................................................................................... method detection limit NA ........................................................................................................................ not available PAH ...................................................................................... polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon PCOSI ......................................................................................... Petro-Canada Oil Sands Inc. QA/QC ........................................................................... quality assurance and quality control RSA ............................................................................................................ regional study area SWI ................................................................................................. specific work instructions TCU ................................................................................................................ total colour units TDS ......................................................................................................... total dissolved solids TOTAL ........................................................................................... TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. TKN ....................................................................................................... total Kjeldahl nitrogen TN ....................................................................................................................... total nitrogen TOC ........................................................................................................... total organic carbon TP ................................................................................................................... total phosphorus TSS ......................................................................................................... total suspended solids UTM ........................................................................................ Universal Transverse Mercator U.S. EPA ....................................................... United States Environmental Protection agency WDS ........................................................................................................... Water Data System

Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Acronyms and Abbreviations

December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page iv

Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Section 1: Introduction

TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page 1-1

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. (TOTAL) owns a parcel of land in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta (see Figure 1.1-1). The parcel is situated in the following portions of Township 55, Range 21, West of the 4th Meridian:

• Section 18: • portions of legal subdivisions (LSDs) 11, 12 • all of LSDs 13 and 14

• Section 19 • Section 20:

• portion of LSD 3 • all of LSDs 4, 5 and 6 • northwest quarter

Throughout this document, this land (including small inholdings that TOTAL is intending to acquire) is referred to as the TOTAL lands.

This report is one of a series of studies prepared to document the environmental baseline conditions of the TOTAL lands and surrounding area.

1.2 Focus of Baseline Investigations

The TOTAL lands are located about 1 km southeast of the North Saskatchewan River, between the North Saskatchewan River and Astotin Creek. Part of the area currently drains to Astotin Creek. There are no natural lakes or ponds in the immediate vicinity of the TOTAL lands.

The objectives of the water quality baseline study were to characterize:

• surface water quality in the local study area (LSA) and regional study area (RSA), using available historical data and results of the August 2007 baseline water quality survey

• seasonal variation in water quality in the North Saskatchewan River • longitudinal (i.e., upstream to downstream) variation in water quality in the

North Saskatchewan River • lateral (i.e., cross-channel) variation in water quality in the section of the

North Saskatchewan River in the LSA • acid sensitivity of lakes and ponds in the region Water quality parameters summarized in the baseline study include conventional inorganic and physical parameters, major ions, nutrients, indices of biological activity, selected organic compounds and trace metals.

TITLE

FIGURE 1.1-1TOTAL LANDS*

SCALE

North Saskatchewan River

Redwater River

Sturgeo

n River

ManawanLake

CookingLake Beaverhill

Lake

Lamont

TofieldBeaumontDevon

GibbonsBonAccord

Legal

Bruderheim

Redwater

Morinville

Leduc

Edmonton

21

28A2

831

45

637

16

FortSaskatchewan

STURGEONMUNICIPAL DISTRICT

LAMONTCOUNTY

BEAVERCOUNTY

STRATHCONACOUNTY

LEDUCCOUNTY

COUNTY OFTHORNHILD NO.7

WESTLOCKCOUNTY SMOKY LAKE

COUNTY

IMPROVEMENTDISTRICT 13

North Saskatc

hewan

River

15

RR 22

0

830TWP RD 552

TWP 55RGE 21

W4M

TWP 55RGE 22

W4M

TWP 56RGE 21

W4MTWP 56RGE 22

W4M

Sturgeon River

Astoti

n Cree

k

RR 21

5

RR 21

4

TWP RD 554

5 0 5 10 15

Distance in Kilometres

500 0 500 1,000 1,500

Distance in Metres

TOTAL LandsPaved Access - DividedPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWatercourse

Alberta Industrial HeartlandMunicipal BoundaryTOTAL LandsPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWatercourseUrban Area

*includes small inholdings TOTAL intends to acquire

A B

A

B



1.3 Study Areas

1.3.1 Local Study Area

The water quality LSA (see Figure 1.3-1) is identical to the hydrology and fisheries LSAs. The northwest boundary of the LSA is the left downstream bank of the North Saskatchewan River extending from the mouth of the Sturgeon River, downstream to the mouth of Beaverhill Creek, of which Astotin Creek is a tributary. The southeastern boundary of the LSA follows Astotin Creek east of the TOTAL lands, downstream to its confluence with Beaverhill Creek, then Beaverhill Creek downstream to the North Saskatchewan River. The southern limit of the LSA is the line separating the TOTAL lands from the nearest industrial development, and Highway 15 to the crossing location on Astotin Creek.

1.3.2 Regional Study Area

The water quality RSA (see Figure 1.3-2) is identical to the hydrology and fisheries RSAs. It includes the North Saskatchewan River extending from Devon downstream to Pakan and includes lands in the LSA.

Upstream of the TOTAL lands, the RSA extends to Devon, where an Alberta Environment long-term water quality monitoring station is located. Data collected at the Devon station were used for calibrating models used in the water quality assessment. However, because water quality of the North Saskatchewan River in the reach adjacent to the TOTAL lands is largely controlled by wastewater discharges within and downstream of Edmonton, the Devon station data are not useful for describing background water quality conditions in that stretch of the river.

In this report, baseline data are presented for the reach of the North Saskatchewan River extending from Fort Saskatchewan to Pakan.

Bruderheim

Redwater


FortSaskatchewan

643

15

Astotin Creek

Beaverhill Creek

361000

361000

371000

371000

5951

000

5951

000

5961

000

5961

000

5971

000

5971

000

FIGURE 1.3-1 1,500 0 1,500 3,000 4,500

Distance in Metres

Local Study AreaTOTAL LandsPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWatercourseUrban Area

TITLE SCALE

WATER QUALITY LOCAL STUDY AREA

TITLE

FIGURE 1.3-2

FortSaskatchewan

RGE 23 RGE 22 RGE 21 RGE 20 RGE 19 RGE 18 RGE 17 RGE 16 RGE 15 TWP 59

TWP 58

TWP 57

TWP 56

TWP 55

TWP 54

TWP 53

TWP 52

Smoky Lake

Tofield

Bon Accord Gibbons

Morinville

Devon

Beaumont

Stoney Plain

Redwater

Bruderheim

Vegreville

St Albert

RGE 24RGE 25RGE 26RGE 27RGE 28

Pakan

Egg Creek

Edmonton

Redwater River

Sturgeon R

ive

r

Beaverhill Creek

North Saskatchewan

River

BeaverhillLake

16

15

45

637

28

831

325000

325000

365000

365000

405000

405000

445000

445000

5925

000

5925

000

5965

000

5965

000

5 0 5 10 15

Distance in KilometresWATER QUALITY REGIONAL STUDY AREA

SCALE

Regional Study AreaTOTAL LandsPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWatercourseUrban Area


December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page 1-6

1.4 Background Water Quality Information

In this report, parameter refers to substances suspended or dissolved in water. Many parameters are considered to describe the quality of surface water. Parameters that provide similar or related information are commonly grouped when characterizing water quality, as follows:

• pH and alkalinity: The pH of water is a measurement of the hydrogen-ion concentration in the water. A pH below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is alkaline. The pH of natural waters ranges from 4 to 10, although most surface waters have a pH of 7 or greater. When pH falls below 5 or increases above 9.5, aquatic organisms and food webs can be adversely affected. The alkalinity of water is a measurement of the water’s ability to neutralize acids, and is usually expressed as the equivalent amount of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Waters with low alkalinity have little capacity to buffer acidic inputs and are susceptible to acidification. As surface waters in Alberta tend to have high alkalinity and neutral to alkaline pH (Mitchell and Prepas 1990), susceptibility to acidification is typically low.

• Total suspended solids (TSS) and colour: The concentration of TSS and colour can provide a rough indication of water clarity which, along with nutrient concentrations, can indicate the potential photosynthetic activity of surface waters. Though colour is not regarded as a pollutant, suspended solids at high concentrations can be directly harmful to aquatic organisms by damaging gills or smothering spawning habitat.

• Major ions, total dissolved solids (TDS) and specific conductivity: Major ions common in surface waters include calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulphate and bicarbonate. TDS is a measure of dissolved ions in a sample of water. TDS concentration usually ranges from 0 to 1000 mg/L in natural waters and is closely related to specific conductivity (i.e., the capacity of water to conduct electricity). Conductivity is reported in terms of microSiemens per centimetre (µS/cm) and typically ranges from 50 to 1500 µS/cm in natural waters.

• Nutrients: Key nutrients in surface waters include nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for the growth of algae and plants. The concentration of nutrients, and in particular phosphorus, often determines the productivity of waters. Increases in nutrient loading that result in excessive production of plant matter and, in turn, high biochemical oxygen demand, can result in oxygen deficiencies that can harm aquatic organisms.

• Indicators of biological activity: In addition to nutrient concentrations, the following can indicate the level of biological activity: biochemical oxygen demand, water temperature and concentrations of chlorophyll a, total organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon and dissolved oxygen (DO). In general, high values correspond with high biological activity, with the exception of DO, which might be controlled by physical and biological factors and also might reflect the balance between rates of primary production and respiration.

• Organic compounds: Organic compounds, (i.e., chemicals with chains or rings of carbon atoms, such as hydrocarbons, phenols, naphthenic acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) can originate from natural sources (e.g., oil sands deposits, forest fires), or be released to the environment from industrial discharges. Elevated levels of organic compounds can be harmful to aquatic organisms.



• Trace metals and water hardness: Discharge and runoff from industrial developments can result in elevated levels of some metals that can be harmful to aquatic organisms at low concentrations. Generally, trace metal concentrations range from 0.1 to 10 µg/L. For many metals, concentrations that may harm aquatic organisms depend on water hardness (i.e., the combined concentration of calcium and magnesium). Waters with hardness greater than 120 mg/L are called “hard,” and waters with less than 60 mg/L are called “soft.” Generally, the harder the water, the lower the toxicity of metals to aquatic life.



Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Section 2: Methods


2 Methods

2.1 Local Study Area

2.1.1 Sample Collection

The August 2007 field program was the first of four planned baseline field programs to assess current water quality in the LSA, which together will provide seasonal water quality data for the North Saskatchewan River and Astotin Creek. Water quality sampling will be repeated in fall 2007, and winter and spring 2008 at the locations sampled in August 2007.

The North Saskatchewan River and Astotin Creek were sampled on August 2, 2007. For the 2007 sampling site locations, as well as historical sampling locations, see Figure 2.1-1.

At the North Saskatchewan River site, water samples were collected at five points along a transect extending across the river. Near the centre of the channel, an integrated sample was collected by combining equal volumes from 20%, 50% and 80% of the total water depth. At the remaining sample points, discrete samples were collected at mid-depth.

At Astotin Creek, a single grab sample was collected at approximately 30 cm depth. At both the river and creek sampling sites, water temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen concentration were measured in-situ using a calibrated water quality meter. Locations of sampling sites were identified and recorded using a global positioning system (GPS) unit.

Water samples were collected, preserved, stored and shipped in accordance with Golder Associates’ Technical Procedure 8.3-1 (Golder 1997). Sample bottles were obtained from the analytical laboratories. Water samples were filtered before filling sample bottles for dissolved parameters and preservatives were added to sample bottles as required by the analytical laboratories. Samples for ultra-low mercury analysis were collected using methods provided by Alberta Research Council. Filled sample bottles were shipped on ice in coolers to the analytical laboratories.

TITLE

FIGURE 2.1-1

DRAFT

2007 WATER QUALITY SAMPLING LOCATIONSAND HISTORICAL SAMPLING LOCATIONS

SCALE

FortSaskatchewan

RGE 23 RGE 22 RGE 21 RGE 20 RGE 19 RGE 18 RGE 17 RGE 16 TWP 59

TWP 58

TWP 57

TWP 56

TWP 55

Smoky Lake

Bon Accord

GibbonsMorinville

Redwater

Bruderheim

St Albert

RGE 24RGE 25

Astotin Cree

k

Pakan

Vinca

Beaverhill Creek

VincaVinca

NGL Pipeline

Fort Saskatchewan

Fort Saskatchewan

Edmonton

Lamont

Redwater River

Sturgeon

River

Beaverhill CreekNorth Saskatchewan River

15

45

637

28

831

Site 4

Site 3Site 2

Site 1

EC0010EC0160EC0170

EC0180EC0181 EC0210

EB0800

EB0820EB0835

EB0840EB0850

EB0860EB0790EB0810EB0830

EB0710EB0720EB0730

EB0550EB0560

EB0570

EB05802007 Site

2007 Site

EC0215

EC0220

EB0590EB0595

332500

332500

357500

357500

382500

382500

407500

407500

5957

500

5957

500

5982

500

5982

500

4 0 4 8 12


Water Sampling Site2007 SiteHistorical SiteTOTAL LandsPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWatercourseUrban Area



2.1.2 Laboratory Analysis

Conventional parameters, nutrients, major ions, organic compounds and trace metals were analyzed by the ALS Laboratory Group, Environmental Division (ALS) in Edmonton, Alberta. Alberta Research Council completed ultra-low-level mercury, silver and cadmium analyses.

The following parameters were analyzed:

• conventional parameters: pH, specific conductivity, total alkalinity, TSS, TDS, colour, hardness

• ions: bicarbonate, calcium, carbonate, chloride, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulphate, sulphide

• nutrients and indicators of biological activity: ammonia, nitrate + nitrite, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), dissolved phosphorus (DP), total phosphorus (TP), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC)

• organic compounds: naphthenic acids, total phenolics, total recoverable hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylated PAHs

• trace metals: total and dissolved aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, lithium, manganese, mercury, methyl mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silver, strontium, thallium, titanium, uranium, vanadium and zinc

2.2 Regional Study Area

2.3 Review of Historical Data

Water quality data for the North Saskatchewan River were obtained from the Alberta Environment Water Data System (WDS) in electronic format. Data collected before 1980 were excluded from the summary because of improvements since that year in both analytical methods and detection limits, which prevent meaningful comparisons of pre-1980 data with recent data.

The following criteria were used to select the North Saskatchewan River stations included in the baseline study:

• location in the RSA • data available for the period after 1980, collected during several sampling events,

preferably at long-term monitoring stations • data available for each season (i.e., winter, spring, summer, fall), to allow evaluation

of seasonal variation • data available for several points across the river, to allow evaluation of cross-channel

variation



For a list of stations that satisfied these criteria, see Table 1.2-1. Of the stations listed in this table, the following groups of stations were selected for assessment of seasonal and longitudinal water quality patterns (see Figure 2.1-1 and Table 2.2-1):

• stations near Fort Saskatchewan • stations near Vinca and Pakan The following groups of stations were selected to assess lateral variation in water quality (see Table 2.3-1):

• stations at the NGL Pipeline, downstream of the Sturgeon River • stations near Vinca, upstream of the Redwater River

Table 2.3-1 North Saskatchewan River Water Quality Sampling Data Alberta Environment Station Designation Years of Data Analysis and Sample Type

Fort Saskatchewan AB05EB0550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 595

1982–2002 Seasonal and longitudinal assessment – combined discrete, cross-section, and composite samples Vinca

AB05EB0790, 800, 810, 820, 830, 835, 840, 850, 860 1985–1997

Pakan AB05EC0010, 160, 170, 180, 181, 210, 215, 220

1982–2002

NGL Pipeline (at Fort Saskatchewan) AB05EB0710, 720, 730

1982 Lateral assessment – left bank, centre, right bank (facing downstream)

Vinca AB05EB0790, 800, 810, 820, 830, 835, 840, 850, 860

1988–1989

SOURCE: Alberta Environment, Water Data System

Water quality data for evaluating acid sensitivity of lakes in the region were obtained for an approximately 100 by 100 km area centred on the LSA (see Figure 2.3-1). Lake data sources included WDS and responses to supplemental information requests for the Sturgeon Upgrader environmental impact assessment (EIA) (Fort Hills 2007).


Redwater River

Sturgeo

n River

Mundare

Lamont

TofieldBeaumontDevon

Gibbons

BonAccord

Legal

Smoky Lake

Bruderheim

Millet

Redwater

Morinville

Leduc

Edmonton

21

28A2

2

831

45

637

15

16

FortSaskatchewan

TWP60

TWP59

TWP58

TWP57

TWP56

TWP55

TWP54

TWP53

TWP52

TWP51

TWP50

TWP49

TWP61

RGE17RGE18RGE19RGE20RGE21RGE22RGE23RGE24RGE25RGE26

RGE15W4M

Big

Mons

Boag

Oster

Islet

AntlerWanisan

Wakomao

Tawayik

Manawan

Cooking

Bennett

Astotin

Adamson

Ministik

HastingsHalf moon

Big Island

Beaverhill

Twin Island

322000

322000

362000

362000

402000

402000

5882

000

5882

000

5922

000

5922

000

5962

000

5962

000

6002

000

6002

000

FIGURE 2.3-15 0 5 10 15


Lake SelectedTOTAL LandsPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWatercourseUrban Area

TITLE SCALE

LOCATIONS OF REGIONAL LAKESSELECTED FOR EVALUATING

ACID SENSITIVITY



2.4 Data Summary and Evaluation

Basic seasonal summary statistics (i.e., median, minimum and maximum concentration for winter, spring, summer and fall) were calculated for each water quality parameter. Before calculating summary statistics, extreme values were removed (i.e., values that were two or more orders of magnitude greater than typical observations), and values below the analytical detection limit were replaced with one-half the detection limit.

Seasons were defined as follows:

• winter: November to March • spring: April to May • summer: June to August • fall: September to October

Baseline water quality was compared with both acute and chronic water quality guidelines for the protection of freshwater aquatic life in Alberta, as well as human health and wildlife health guidelines (see Table 1.2-2). Acute guidelines protect aquatic organisms from short-term lethal effects, whereas chronic guidelines provide protection from long-term, sublethal effects. Lethal effects would result in death and sublethal effects could result in reduced growth or impaired reproduction.

The guidelines used for each parameter (see Table 2.4-1) were based on the most conservative (i.e., most restrictive) of the corresponding guidelines from Alberta Environment (AENV 1999), Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME 1999), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA 2002, 2003a, 2003b) and Health Canada (2002), according to the following Alberta Environment (1999) protocol: • The most stringent guideline should be used when multiple guidelines are available

for a given substance. • Guidelines developed by Alberta Environment after 1996 should be given preference

over CCME and U.S. EPA guidelines. Exceptions to the guideline selection protocol are as follows:

• In the case of arsenic, the U.S. EPA (2003a) drinking water arsenic guideline was used in place of the lower U.S. EPA (2002) human health guideline for surface waters, because the human health guideline is based on the consumption of oysters, a nonresident species in Alberta.

• In the case of cadmium, the U.S. EPA (2002) chronic cadmium guideline was used in place of the lower CCME (1999) chronic guideline, because, as noted by CCME (1999), most ambient waters contain cadmium levels in excess of the recommended CCME chronic cadmium guideline.

• In the case of copper, the U.S. EPA (2002) acute and CCME (1999) chronic copper guidelines were selected, because the Alberta copper guidelines apply to acid extractable values (as opposed to total values).

• In the case of pH, the U.S. EPA (2002) human health guidelines were selected, because Health Canada (2002) guidelines are aesthetic objectives that do not relate to toxic thresholds.



Table 2.4-1 Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life, and Human and Wildlife Health

Parameter Units

Water Quality Guidelines Aquatic Life Human

Health3 Wildlife Health4 Acute1 Chronic2

Field Measured pH – 6.5 to 8.5 6.5 to 8.5 5–9 – Dissolved oxygen mg/L 55 6.56 – – Major Ions Calcium mg/L – – – 1,000 Chloride mg/L 860 230 –7 – Sodium mg/L – – –7 – Sulphate mg/L – – –7 1,000 Sulphide mg/L – 0.0148 –7 – Total dissolved solids mg/L – – – 3,000 Nutrients Ammonia9 mg/L 5.6 2.43 – – Total nitrogen mg/L – 1 – – Total phosphorus mg/L – 0.05 – – Total Metals Aluminum mg/L 0.75 0.1 0.1 5 Antimony mg/L – – 0.0055 – Arsenic mg/L 0.34 0.005 0.0110 0.025 Barium mg/L – – 1.0 – Beryllium mg/L – – 0.004 0.1 Boron mg/L – – 5 5 Cadmium11 mg/L 0.003812 0.0004112 0.005 0.08 Chromium mg/L 0.01613 0.00113 0.0514 0.0514

Copper15 mg/L 0.02412 0.00312 1.3 0.5 Iron mg/L – 0.3 0.3 – Lead mg/L 0.16612 0.006512 0.01 0.1 Manganese mg/L – – 0.05 – Mercury16 mg/L 0.000013 0.000005 0.001 0.003 Methyl mercury mg/L – 0.000004 – – Molybdenum mg/L – 0.073 – 0.5 Nickel mg/L 0.75312 0.08412 0.34 1 Selenium mg/L – 0.001 0.01 0.05 Silver mg/L 0.010612 0.0001 – – Thallium mg/L – 0.0008 0.00013 – Vanadium mg/L – – – 0.1 Zinc mg/L 0.19312 0.03 5.1 50 Organics Phenolics mg/L – 0.005 – 0.00217 Acenaphthene µg/L – 5.8 330 – Anthracene µg/L – 0.012 6300 – Benzo(a)anthracene µg/L – 0.018 0.0029 – Benzo(a)pyrene µg/L – 0.015 0.0029 – Benzo(b&k)fluoranthene µg/L – – 0.0029 – Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene µg/L – – 0.0029 –



Table 2.4-1 Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life, and Human and Wildlife Health (cont’d)

Parameter Units

Water Quality Guidelines

Aquatic Life Human Health3

Wildlife Health4

Organics ( cont’d) Fluoranthene µg/L – 0.04 50 – Fluorene µg/L – 3 800 – Indeno(c,d-123)pyrene µg/L – – 0.0029 – Naphthalene µg/L – 1.1 – – Phenanthrene µg/L – 0.4 – – Pyrene µg/L – 0.025 630 –

NOTES: 1Based on the more conservative guideline of: AENV (1999) and U.S. EPA (2002), unless otherwise noted. 2Based on the more conservative guideline of: AENV (1999), CCME (1999) and U.S. EPA (2002), unless otherwise

noted. 3Based on the more conservative guideline of: U.S. EPA (2002, 2003b) using fish consumption rate of 45 g/d

(Richardson 1997), U.S. EPA (2003a) and Health Canada (2002), unless otherwise noted. 4CCME (1999) - Livestock watering guidelines. 5Instantaneous minimum. 67-day mean. 7Health Canada (2002) aesthetic guidelines exist for these parameters, but were not used in this study because they

do not relate to toxic thresholds; human health guidelines without this superscript are the maximum acceptable concentrations and interim maximum acceptable concentrations.

8Guideline is pH dependent; value shown here corresponds to a pH value of 8; this guideline was altered based on site-specific median conditions using the methods described in U.S. EPA (2002).

9Guidelines are pH (acute and chronic) and temperature (chronic) dependent; values shown here correspond to a pH and temperature value of 8 and 10°C, respectively; these guidelines were altered based on site-specific median conditions using the methods described in AENV (1999) and U.S. EPA (2002).

10The U.S. EPA (2003a) drinking water guideline for arsenic was used in place of the lower U.S. EPA (2002) human health guideline for surface waters, because the human health guideline is based on the consumption of oysters, a non-resident species in the Oil Sands Region.

11The U.S. EPA (2002) chronic cadmium guideline was used in place of the lower CCME (1999) chronic guideline, because, as noted by CCME (1999), most ambient waters contain cadmium levels in excess of the recommended CCME chronic cadmium guideline.

12Guidelines are hardness dependent; values shown here are based on a hardness of 175 mg/L; these guidelines were calculated based on site-specific median hardness levels using the methods described in AENV (1999) and U.S. EPA (2002).

13Chromium VI guideline. 14Chromium III guideline. 15U.S. EPA (2002) acute and CCME (1999) chronic guidelines are shown, because Alberta copper guidelines apply

to acid extractable values (as opposed to total values). 16Alberta draft mercury guidelines are shown for aquatic life. 17Guideline for phenols. – no guideline



Lake water quality data available for the region surrounding the TOTAL lands were evaluated for the degree of acid sensitivity using the following sensitivity criteria reported by Saffran and Trew (1996) for Alberta lakes:

• total alkalinity less than 10 mg/L as CaCO3 ⎯ high sensitivity • total alkalinity between 10 and 20 mg/L as CaCO3 ⎯ moderate sensitivity • total alkalinity between 20 and 40 mg/L as CaCO3 ⎯ low sensitivity • total alkalinity greater than 40 mg/L as CaCO3 ⎯ least sensitivity

2.5 Quality Assurance and Quality Control

The quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program for the field component of the water quality baseline study included collecting a field blank to assess contamination during collection, shipping and analysis, and a duplicate sample to assess within-site variation. Deionized water used to fill the field blank bottles was obtained from ALS. The field blank and duplicate samples were analyzed for the full parameter list.

For a description of the QA/QC program and QC results, see Appendix B.



Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Section 3: Results


3 Results 3.1 August 2007 Data Collected in the Local Study Area

3.1.1 North Saskatchewan River

For ranges of concentrations for indicator parameters, see Table 3.1-1 and for the entire 2007 dataset, see Appendix A, Table A-1.

River water was slightly alkaline, and alkalinity and hardness were in the moderate range (see Table 2.3-1). Concentration of TSS and colour were low, indicating river water was clear at the time of sampling. The dominant major ions were calcium, bicarbonate and sulphate. Nutrient concentrations were near the lower limits of the historical ranges and DO concentration was close to saturation. A number of organic parameters were at detectable but low concentrations. Aluminum, chromium, iron and mercury were measured at levels above water quality guidelines, which is typical for the reach of river sampled. The single detectable mercury concentration (0.0015 mg/L) was unusually high. In light of other concentrations measured along the same transect (all <0.0000006 mg/L), it likely represents sample contamination in the field or laboratory.

There was a slight lateral trend in North Saskatchewan River water quality in August 2007 (see Appendix A, Table A-1). Specific conductivity, colour, hardness and concentrations of TDS, nitrate+nitrite, TP and DP were higher in samples collected closer to the right bank. DO concentration showed the opposite trend. This trend is consistent with the discharge of municipal and industrial wastewaters containing elevated concentrations of dissolved salts and nutrients along the right bank of the North Saskatchewan River within and downstream of Edmonton.

Values of most indicator parameters were within the historical ranges at Fort Saskatchewan (see Table 2.3-2 for a summary of historical data).

3.1.2 Astotin Creek

In August 2007, water quality of Astotin Creek was poor relative to North Saskatchewan River water quality results (see Table 2.3-1 and Appendix A, Table A-1). Hardness, colour and concentrations of major ions and nutrients were well above the ranges measured in the North Saskatchewan River. In particular, chloride concentration was two orders of magnitude higher than typical concentrations in Alberta surface waters and was above the chronic aquatic life guideline. Concentrations of TN and TP were also above chronic aquatic life guidelines, and DO concentration was below the guideline range. Total phenolics concentration was above the chronic aquatic life and wildlife health guidelines. Metal concentrations were not unusually high in Astotin Creek, and only chromium and iron were above water quality guidelines.

Compared with data collected by Shell (2007) in June 2006 at four sites (see Figure 3.1-1 for site locations and Appendix A, Table A-2 for data), water quality in Astotin Creek in 2007 was characterized by lower concentrations of major ions, alkalinity and TN. In contrast, chloride concentration was higher in August 2007 than in June 2006. Concentrations of other conventional parameters and nutrients were in similar ranges in both years. Metal concentrations were generally similar in both years, with the exception of chromium (higher in 2007) and zinc (lower in 2007).



Table 3.1-1 Range of Indicator Parameter Values for the North Saskatchewan River and Astotin Creek – August 2007

Station

pH, Alkalinity, Hardness, TSS

and Colour (mg/L)1

Dominant Major Ions and TDS

(mg/L)

Nutrients and Biological Indicators

(mg/L) Detectable Organic Compounds

(mg/L)1

Total Metals with

Concentrations Above

Guidelines North Saskatchewan River at the TOTAL lands

Lab pH: 8.6 HCO3: 117–120 TN: <0.2 Total phenolics: <0.001–0.002 Al, Cr, Fe, Hg2 Alkalinity: 108–110 Ca: 41–44 TP: 0.011–0.015 Naphthalene (µg/L): 0.02 – 0.03 Hardness: 153–164 SO4: 39–43 TOC: 3–7 C1 substituted naphthalenes (µg/L): <0.01–0.02TSS: <3–7 TDS: 164–175 BOD: <2 Phenanthrene (µg/L): <0.01 – 0.01 Colour (TCU): 5–9 Cl: 1–3 DO: 8.4–9.8 Toluene (µg/L): <0.0005–0.0077

Astotin Creek Lab pH: 8.4 HCO3: 163 TN: 1.1 Total phenolics: 0.012 Cr, Fe, Mn Alkalinity: 139 Ca: 88 TP: 0.234 Hardness: 398 SO4: 33 TOC: 15 TSS: 4 TDS: 563 BOD: 4 Colour (TCU): 40 Cl: 241 DO: 2.9

NOTES: TDS – total dissolved solids TN – total nitrogen TP – total phosphorus DO – dissolved oxygen TSS – total suspended solids TOC – total organic carbon BOD – biochemical oxygen demand TCU – total colour units Chemical symbols: HCO3 = bicarbonate; Ca = calcium; SO4 = sulphate; Cl = chloride; Al = aluminum; Cr = chromium; Fe = iron; Hg = mercury; Mn = manganese. Bolding indicates exceedance of water quality guidelines. 1 – Units are mg/L except where noted. 2 – Mercury guideline exceedance is likely the result of sample contamination in the field or laboratory.



3.2 Historical Water Quality in the Regional Study Area

For ranges of concentrations for indicator parameters, see Table 3.2-1 and for a summary of guideline exceedances, see Table 3.2-2. For seasonal summaries of historical data, see Appendix A, Tables A-2 to A-5.

Upstream of the TOTAL lands, two municipal wastewater treatment plants and a number of industries discharge wastewaters to the North Saskatchewan River. Since the 1970s, the effect of municipal and industrial discharges on the water quality of the North Saskatchewan River has been monitored as part of the Alberta Environment Long-Term River Monitoring Network. The Alberta Environment stations on the North Saskatchewan River have been sampled at various frequencies. Sampling has been more frequent at the Pakan station than at other North Saskatchewan River stations in the RSA. Ranges of most water quality parameter concentrations were widest at Pakan, possibly reflecting the greater sampling frequency at this location compared with the other stations.

At the three stations selected for evaluating seasonal and longitudinal trends, river water was usually well oxygenated and slightly alkaline (see Table 1.3-2). Maximum pH values were often greater than acute and chronic guidelines, and occasionally higher than human health guidelines (see Table 1.3-3). Alkalinity and hardness were in the moderate ranges (see Table 1.3-2), indicating that North Saskatchewan River waters are not susceptible to acidification. Bicarbonate was the dominant major ion, and calcium and sulphate were subdominant. The concentration of TDS ranged from 137 to 504 mg/L, which is within the typical range for large rivers in Alberta. The water in the North Saskatchewan River is “hard” (i.e., hardness is typically greater than 120 mg/L). A wide range of TSS concentrations was observed in the North Saskatchewan River, ranging from nondetectable to several hundred milligrams per litre, reflecting the seasonal hydrological cycle.

Nutrient concentrations reflect seasonal inputs of TSS and effluent releases from municipal wastewater treatment plants. Seasonal median and maximum concentrations of TN and TP were often above chronic water quality guidelines (see Table 1.3-3). Occasional seasonal maximum ammonia concentrations were also above aquatic life guideline, likely reflecting inputs of municipal wastewaters. Chlorophyll a concentration ranged up to 71.6 µg/L, indicating North Saskatchewan River waters can be highly productive. Biochemical oxygen demand was usually low, but some seasonal maximum values were in the range indicative of organic enrichment.

Concentrations of organic compounds were low in the North Saskatchewan River. Since 1980, only a small number of organic compounds have been detected in river water (see Table 1.3-2). Maximum concentration of total phenolics was often above the wildlife health guideline and occasionally above the chronic aquatic life guideline (see Table 1.3.3).

Concentrations of trace metals were often near or below the analytical detection limit, except for aluminum, barium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, strontium and zinc (see Appendix A, Tables A-2 to A-5). Detectable concentrations of mercury in the historical dataset are unlikely to be accurate because field sampling and laboratory analysis were not done using currently accepted ultralow techniques.



A number of trace metals were observed at concentrations above water quality guidelines (see Table 2.3-2 and Table 2.3-3), summarized as follows:

• Minimum, maximum and median concentrations of total aluminum were often above acute, chronic aquatic life and wildlife health guidelines.

• Maximum total chromium concentration was often above chronic guidelines and total iron concentration was often above the human health guideline.

• Maximum total manganese concentration was often above the human health guideline.

• Maximum total zinc, cadmium, copper and mercury concentrations were occasionally above one or more guidelines.

• Maximum total lead, silver and thallium concentrations were above a guideline in one or more seasons.

Changes over time in water quality downstream of Edmonton include increases in major ion, nutrient and some trace metal concentrations (Fort Hills 2006). Elevated concentrations of sodium, chloride, potassium, sulphate, phenols and the trace metals zinc, lead, manganese, cobalt, nickel and chromium have been attributed to industrial discharges, and increases in the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus have been attributed to discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants (Fort Hills 2006). Edmonton’s largest municipal wastewater treatment plants discharge to the river’s right bank and the effluent plumes hug the right bank of the river for tens of kilometres downstream before completely mixing.



Table 3.2-1 Range of Indicator Parameter Values for North Saskatchewan River Stations Based on Historical Data

Station Group1

pH, Alkalinity, Hardness, TSS

and Colour (mg/L)2

Dominant Major Ions and TDS

(mg/L)

Nutrients and Biological Indicators

(mg/L)2 Detectable Organic Compounds

(mg/L)2

Total Metals with Concentrations

Above Guidelines

Fort Saskatchewan

Lab pH: 7.6–8.6 HCO3: 146–176 TN: 0.22–1.92 Total phenolics: <0.001–0.012 Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Zn Alkalinity: 116–153 Ca: 34–49 TP: 0.01–0.33 Benzene (µg/L): <0.1–0.3

Hardness: 145–184 SO4: 20–62 TOC: 2–12 Methylene chloride (µg/L): <10–112 TSS: <0.4–179 TDS: 137–320 BOD: 0.3–7 Colour (TCU): NA DO: 7–14 Chl a (µg/L): 0.5–15.7

Vinca

Lab pH: 7.9–8.8 HCO3: 144–176 TN: 0.43–1.21 Total phenolics: <0.001–0.005 Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Hg, Zn Alkalinity: 122–145 Ca: 40–50 TP: 0.012–0.16 Chloroform (µg/L): <0.1–0.6

Hardness: 149–187 SO4: 33–54 TOC: 0.6–22 TSS: 0.5–72 TDS: 177–260 BOD: 0.7–3 Colour (TCU): NA DO: 7.2–12.8 Chl a (µg/L): 0.9–12

Pakan Lab pH: 6.6–9.1 HCO3: 102–209 TN: <0.05–4.5 Total phenolics: <0.001–0.044 Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ag, Tl, Zn

Alkalinity: 84–172 Ca : 29–62 TP: <0.007–1.15 Benzene (µg/L): <0.1–2 Hardness: 100–210 SO4: 20–64 TOC: 1–17 TSS: <0.4–579 TDS: 137–504 BOD: <0.3–6 Colour (TCU): <5–160 DO: 5.5–15.1 Chl a (µg/L): 0.3–71.6

NOTES: TDS – total dissolved solids TN – total nitrogen TP – total phosphorus DO – dissolved oxygen TSS – total suspended solids TOC – total organic carbon BOD – biochemical oxygen demand TCU – total colour units Chl a – chlorophyll a Chemical symbols: HCO3 = bicarbonate; Ca = calcium; SO4 = sulphate; Cl = chloride; Al = aluminum; Ag = silver; As = arsenic; Cd = cadmium; Cr = chromium; Cu = copper; Fe = iron; Hg = mercury; Mn = manganese; Pb = lead; Tl = thallium; Zn = zinc. NA – not available 1 – Stations are ordered upstream to downstream. 2 – Units are mg/L except where noted.




Table 3.2-2 Summary of Guideline Exceedances in the North Saskatchewan River at Fort Saskatchewan, Vinca and Pakan

Station Group Parameter Winter Spring Summer Fall

Median Min Max Median Min Max Median Min Max Median Min Max Vinca pH – field or lab ac ac Pakan ach ac ac ac Pakan Dissolved oxygen c Ft. Sask Ammonia c Vinca c Pakan ac c c Ft. Sask Total nitrogen c c c c Vinca c – – c Pakan c c c c c Ft. Sask Total phosphorus c c c c c c c c c c Vinca c c c c c c c c Pakan c c c c c c c c Ft. Sask Total phenolics w w cw w w Vinca w – – w w Pakan cw cw cw Ft. Sask Total aluminum ch – – – – – ach ach ach ch ch ch Vinca ch – – ch – – ach ch ach ch ch Pakan ach ch ch achw ch achw ch ch Ft. Sask Total cadmium c c ac Vinca c c Pakan c c c ac Ft. Sask Total chromium c c c c c ac c c Vinca c c c c c c c Pakan c c c c c ac c c



Table 3.2-2 Summary of Guideline Exceedances in the North Saskatchewan River at Fort Saskatchewan, Vinca and Pakan (cont’d)

Station Group Parameter Winter Spring Summer Fall

Median Min Max Median Min Max Median Min Max Median Min Max Ft. Sask Total copper c c ac c Vinca c Pakan c ac ac c Ft. Sask Total iron – – – – – ch ch ch Vinca – – ch – – ch ch Pakan ch ch ch ch ch ch ch Ft. Sask Total manganese h h Pakan h h h Ft. Sask Total mercury ac Vinca ac ac ac Pakan ac ach ac ach Ft. Sask Total lead chw c Vinca – – – – ch Pakan ch ch ch c Pakan Silver c Pakan Total thallium h Ft. Sask Total zinc c c c c Vinca c Pakan c c c c

NOTES: Ft. Sask – Fort Saskatchewan a – concentration greater than the acute aquatic life guideline or beyond the recommended pH or DO concentration range. c – concentration greater than the chronic aquatic life guideline or beyond the recommended pH or DO concentration range. h – concentration greater than the human health guideline or beyond the recommended pH range. w – concentration greater than the wildlife health guideline. – no data blank cells – concentration below the guideline.

SOURCE: summarized from Tables A-2 to A-5, Appendix A



3.2.1 Seasonal Variation in North Saskatchewan River Water Quality

The 23-year time series of water quality data available for the Pakan station was evaluated in the EIA for the Sturgeon Upgrader (PCOSI 2006). The EIA reported the following seasonal trends in water quality:

• Major ion and some trace metal concentrations tend to peak during periods of low flow and reach minimum values during periods of high flow.

• The concentration of TSS tends to peak during high flow and reach minimum values during low-flow periods.

• Ammonia concentrations tend to be highest during winter. The seasonal statistics for the North Saskatchewan River stations included in this study indicated low to moderate seasonal variability for most water quality parameters (see Appendix A, Tables A-2 to A-5). Ammonia, aluminum and TSS were exceptions, varying to a greater extent among seasons than other parameters.

Median ammonia concentration in the North Saskatchewan River was highest during the winter months and decreased gradually from winter to summer (see Figure 3.2-1). This gradual decrease does not correspond with the annual variation in river discharge, and is possibly due to increases in water temperature, which in turn increases the rate of nitrification (i.e., the rate of transformation of ammonium to nitrate by microbes) during the period of open water.

Median concentrations of total aluminum and TSS at the three North Saskatchewan River stations were typically low during winter and fall, and high during spring and summer (see Figure 3.2-2 and Figure 3.2-3), which generally corresponds with the pattern of annual discharge (i.e., concentrations are high during periods of high flow and low during periods of low flow).

Season

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

Winter Spring Summer Fall

Am

mon

ia (m

g/L)

Ft. Sask Vinca Pakan

SOURCE: Alberta Environment, Water Data System.

Figure 3.2-1 Seasonal Variation in Ammonia Concentration in the North Saskatchewan River



Season

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5


Alum

inum

(mg/

L)



Figure 3.2-2 Seasonal Variation in Aluminum Concentration in the North Saskatchewan River

Season

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80


Tota

l sus

pend

ed s

olid

s (m

g/L)



Figure 3.2-3 Seasonal Variation in Total Suspended Solids Concentration in the North Saskatchewan River



3.2.2 Longitudinal Variation in North Saskatchewan River Water Quality

For most of the water quality parameters examined, longitudinal variation was low in the RSA (see Appendix A, Tables A-2 to A-5). Chlorophyll a and TSS concentrations were exceptions, exhibiting more pronounced upstream to downstream variation.

Seasonal median chlorophyll a concentrations indicated a general increasing trend between Fort Saskatchewan (the most upstream station) and Pakan (the most downstream station) during winter, summer and fall (see Figure 3.2-4). In spring, maximum chlorophyll a concentration was observed at Vinca.

The seasonal median concentrations of TSS indicated change from upstream to downstream, but the change was not consistent among seasons. TSS concentration was the same at all three locations or declined slightly with distance downstream in winter and fall. In spring and summer, TSS declined between Fort Saskatchewan and Vinca and then increased between Vinca and Pakan (see Figure 3.2-5).

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Ft. Sask Vinca PakanStation

Chl

orop

hyll a

con

cent

ratio

n (m

g/L)



Figure 3.2-4 Longitudinal Variation in Chlorophyll a Concentration in the North Saskatchewan River



0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Ft. Sask Vinca PakanStation

Tota

l Sus

pend

ed S

olid

s (m

g/L)



Figure 3.2-5 Longitudinal Variation in Total Suspended Solids Concentration in the North Saskatchewan River

3.2.3 Lateral Variation in North Saskatchewan River Water Quality

Lateral variation was assessed at two stations (i.e., NGL Pipeline near Fort Saskatchewan and Vinca). The NGL Pipeline station is close to the station sampled in August 2007. Both stations are within about 60 km of the discharges from the Edmonton area’s largest municipal wastewater treatment plants.

As expected, median concentrations of dissolved salts and nutrients were lowest at the left bank and highest at the right bank, where treated wastewater is discharged from upstream municipal wastewater treatment plants (see Appendix A, Tables A-6 and A-7; for trends for TN and TP, see Figure 2.3-6). Treated municipal wastewaters tend to have elevated concentrations of dissolved salts and nutrients, and lateral variation in these parameters has also been demonstrated by previous studies of the North Saskatchewan River (Golder 1995). The NGL pipeline site is closer to the upstream wastewater discharges, which probably accounts for the stronger cross-channel trends observed at this site.

At the NGL Pipeline transect, the median concentration of TSS also increased from the left bank to the right bank, and median TOC concentration decreased from the left bank to the right bank (see Figure 2.3-7). Discharge of wastewaters upstream of this reach does not provide an obvious explanation for lateral trends in these parameters. There were no apparent lateral trends in concentrations of metals or organic compounds.



0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

Left Centre RightRiver Cross-section

Con

cent

ratio

n (m

g/L)

TP NGL Pipeline TP Vinca TN NGL Pipeline

NOTES: TP = total phosphorus TN = total nitrogen


Figure 3.2-6 Lateral Variation in Nutrient Concentrations in the North Saskatchewan River Downstream of Edmonton

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Left Centre RightRiver Cross-section

Con

cent

ratio

n (m

g/L)

TOC NGL Pipeline TSS NGL Pipeline

NOTES: TOC = total organic carbon TSS = total suspended solids


Figure 3.2-7 Lateral Variation in Total Organic Carbon and Total Suspended Solids Concentrations in the North Saskatchewan River Downstream of Edmonton



3.2.4 Acid Sensitivity of Regional Lakes

Data were obtained for 20 lakes to evaluate acid sensitivity of standing waters in the region (see Table 3.2-3). These lakes are located in a 100 by 100 km area centred on the TOTAL lands (see Figure 2.3-1).

Field measured water quality parameters were generally within ranges typical of surface waters in central Alberta. The range of pH values was relatively wide (i.e., 7.9 to 9.2), but all lakes were slightly alkaline. As indicated by conductivity and TDS, major ion concentrations were in the moderate to high ranges. Sulphate concentrations were highly variable, ranging from 2 to 1299 mg/L. DOC was measured in 14 of the 20 lakes and ranged from 18 to 57 mg/L. Nutrient concentrations were generally high, which is typical of central Alberta lakes. Based on alkalinity values, these lakes can be classified as “least sensitive” to acid deposition.





Table 3.2-3 Summary of Water Chemistry Data Related to Acid Sensitivity of Lakes in the Vicinity of the TOTAL Lands

Lake Name

Easting (UTM)1

Northing (UTM)1

Number of Samples

Conductivity

(µS/cm) TDS

(mg/L) DOC

(mg/L) pH

Sulphate

(mg/L)

Nitrate + Nitrite (mg/L)

Calcium (mg/L)

Magnesium (mg/L)

Sodium (mg/L)

Potassium (mg/L)

Total Alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3)

TN (mg/L)

TP (mg/L)

Acid Sensitivity2

Adamson 372600 5942300 1 348 209 41 9.2 30 <0.003 31 16 18 16.2 157 4.25 0.398 least Antler 368709 5929250 6-10 400 223 39 8.4 21 0.045 31 13 25 20.3 159 4.19 0.265 least Astotin 378000 5949000 4 504 290 34 8.6 32 0.064 22 30 35 21 238 2.63 0.071 least Beaverhill 404603 5921901 37 – 40 1402 955 – 8.7 384 0.400 – 57 194 35.9 414 0.40 0.588 least Bennett 368010 5933911 2 259 136 34 8.6 6 0.003 23 9 6 18 120 4.00 0.280 least Big 323358 5944192 14 – 22 521 310 18 8.7 91 0.052 45 19 35 8 159 0.10 0.129 least Big Island 353874 5929529 3 902 558 51 8.6 170 0.002 53 37 83 28 267 5.74 0.517 least Boag 352137 5932990 2 – 3 492 288 26 8.5 64 0.007 39 17 30 17 157 2.71 0.421 least Cooking 363217 5920900 3 – 113 1687 1160 39 8.8 490 0.079 48 52 276 41.2 496 6.29 1.002 least Half moon 360871 5925923 19 – 43 328 180 19 8.4 4 0.161 22 13 22 13 153 2.33 0.111 least Hastings 373753 5921231 6 – 168 940 620 35 8.5 261 0.094 40 46 92 27.1 249 5.18 0.337 least Islet 378772 5924595 8 – 9 332 177 – 8.3 4 0.021 34 17 8 11 168 0.02 0.165 least Manawan 323019 5976438 1 612 379 – 8.9 192 0.025 44 21 36 16 107 0.05 0.086 least Ministik 344104 5912839 47 – 50 3321 2602 – 9.1 1299 0.278 – 154 520 75 717 0.28 0.279 least Mons 411188 6005428 6 560 316 – 8.0 23 0.185 28 32 45 12.8 284 2.12 0.076 least Oster 373500 5943500 1 329 186 41 8.5 15 0.030 23 14 19 16.2 151 3.52 0.239 least Tawayik 376000 5941000 1 758 483 39 9.1 176 <0.003 29 24 89 19.5 217 3.00 0.168 least Twin Island 356496 5927757 1 1470 952 57 8.8 380 0.001 46 71 167 47 352 7.20 0.352 least Wakomoa 331097 6005440 1 449 249 – 7.9 53 0.025 36 17 23 10 168 4.23 0.240 least Wanisan 373000 5926000 1 406 233 40 8.2 48 <0.003 39 19 8 18.8 150 2.93 0.232 least

NOTES: 1 NAD83, Zone 12. 2 Acid sensitivity is classified using the system described by Saffran and Trew (1996). UTM = Universal Transverse Mercator µS/cm = microSiemens per centimetre mg/L = milligrams per litre TCU = true colour unit TDS = total dissolved solids DOC = dissolved organic carbon TN = total nitrogen TP = total phosphorus

SOURCE: Alberta Environment Water Data System; Fort Hills (2007).

Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Section 4: Summary


4 Summary

4.1 Local Study Area

The North Saskatchewan River and Astotin Creek were sampled in August 2007 to characterize current water quality in the vicinity of the TOTAL lands. In the North Saskatchewan River, values of most parameters were within the historical ranges documented at Fort Saskatchewan. River water was slightly alkaline, and alkalinity and hardness were in the moderate range. Concentration of TSS and colour were low. The dominant major ions were calcium, bicarbonate and sulphate. Nutrient concentrations were near the lower limits of the historical ranges and DO concentration was close to saturation. A number of organic parameters were measured at detectable but low concentrations. Aluminum, chromium, iron and mercury were measured at levels above water quality guidelines; however the single mercury concentration above guidelines was likely the result of sample contamination.

There was a slight cross-channel trend in North Saskatchewan River water quality in August 2007. Specific conductivity, colour, hardness and concentrations of TDS, nitrate+nitrite, TP and DP were higher along the right bank and DO concentration showed the opposite trend. These trends are consistent with the discharge of municipal and industrial wastewaters upstream of the TOTAL lands along the right bank of the North Saskatchewan River.

In August 2007, Astotin Creek water quality was poor relative to the water quality of the North Saskatchewan River. Many water quality parameters were two or more times higher in Astotin Creek than in the North Saskatchewan River, with the exception of organic compounds and metals, which were in similar ranges in both watercourses. Chloride, total phenolics, chromium, iron and nutrient concentrations were above water quality guidelines in Astotin Creek, and dissolved oxygen concentration was below the acute and chronic aquatic guideline ranges. Compared to data collected by Shell (2007) in June 2006 at four sites in this stream, concentrations of major ions, alkalinity and TN were lower in 2007 and chloride concentration was higher in 2007. Concentrations of other conventional parameters, nutrients and metals were in similar ranges in both years.

4.2 Regional Study Area

Water quality of the North Saskatchewan River in the vicinity of the TOTAL lands was characterized using historical data. In the RSA, river water was usually well oxygenated and slightly alkaline, with pH values often above the chronic aquatic life guideline range. Alkalinity and hardness were moderate and the dominant ions were bicarbonate, calcium and sulphate. TSS concentrations varied by season. Nutrient concentrations reflected seasonal inputs of TSS and effluent releases from municipal wastewater treatment plants. Concentrations of TN and TP were often above chronic aquatic life guidelines. Chlorophyll a concentrations indicated that North Saskatchewan River waters can be highly productive. Concentrations of organic compounds were mostly non-detectable, with the exception of total phenolics, which were often above the wildlife health guideline and occasionally above the chronic aquatic life guideline. Concentrations of trace metals were often near or below the analytical detection limit, with the exception of

Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Section 4: Summary


aluminum, barium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, strontium and zinc. A number of trace metals analyzed as total metals were above water quality guidelines, including frequent guideline exceedances by aluminum, chromium and iron, and occasional exceedances by cadmium, copper, manganese, mercury, lead, silver, thallium and zinc.

Water quality of the North Saskatchewan River varies seasonally, longitudinally and laterally. Three different patterns of seasonal variation were observed:

• some parameter concentrations increased during periods of high flow and decreased during periods of low flow (e.g., TSS)

• some parameter concentrations decreased during periods of high flow and increased during periods of low flow (e.g., TDS)

• peak parameter concentrations occurred during winter months and gradually decreased or were low during spring, summer and fall (e.g., ammonia)

Longitudinal variation in North Saskatchewan River water quality was low in the RSA for most parameters. Chlorophyll a concentration was an exception and increased with distance downstream, except during spring. TSS displayed inconsistent longitudinal trends among seasons.

Lateral variation in river water quality was apparent near the TOTAL lands, which is a short distance downstream of discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants. Concentrations of dissolved salts, nutrients and TSS were higher, and TOC was lower along the right bank, where municipal effluent is discharged from upstream wastewater treatment plants.

Acid sensitivity of regional lakes was characterized based on data available for 20 lakes located in a 100 by 100 km area centred on the TOTAL lands. Field-measured water quality parameters were generally within ranges typical of surface waters in central Alberta. These lakes had slightly alkaline waters, and moderate to high concentrations of major ions, DOC and nutrients. Based on alkalinity values, these lakes can be classified as least sensitive to acid deposition.

Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Section 5: References


5 References

5.1 Literature Cited

AENV (Alberta Environment). 1999. Surface Water Quality Guidelines for Use in Alberta. November 1999. Environmental Service, Environmental Sciences Division. Edmonton, Alberta.

CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment). 1999 (with updates to 2006). Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines. Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Fort Hills (Fort Hills Energy LP). 2006. Application for Approval of the Sturgeon Upgrader, Volume 2: Environmental and Socio-economic Impact Assessment. Section 13: Surface Water Quality. Prepared by Clearwater Environmental Consultants.

Fort Hills. 2007. Response to Supplemental Information Requests from Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and Alberta Environment. Submitted to Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and Alberta Environment. August 2007.

Golder (Golder Associates). 1995. Joint Industry-Municipal North Saskatchewan River Study. Prepared for AT Plastics Inc., Capital Region Sewage Commission, Celanese Canada Inc., City of Edmonton – Gold Bar WWTP, DOW Chemical Canada Inc., DuPont Canada Inc., Geon Canada Inc., Imperial Oil Products Division, Petro-Canada Products, Shell Canada Products Ltd., Sherritt Inc. – Fort Saskatchewan, and Sherritt Inc. – Redwater.

Golder. 1997. Technical Procedure (TP) 8.3-1: Surface Water Sampling Methods. Golder Associates Ltd., Aquatics Division. Calgary, Alberta.

Health Canada. 2002. Summary of Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Prepared by the Federal–Provincial Subcommittee on Drinking Water of the Federal–Provincial–Territorial Committee on Environmental and Occupational Health.

Mitchell, P. and E. Prepas (eds.). 1990. Atlas of Alberta Lakes. University of Alberta Lakes. Edmonton, Alberta.

Richardson, G.M. 1997. Compendium of Canadian Human Exposure Factors to Risk Assessment. O’Connor Associates Environmental Inc. Ottawa, Ontario.

Saffran, K. A. and D. O. Trew. 1996. Sensitivity of Alberta Lakes to Acidifying Deposition: An Update of Maps with Emphasis on 109 Northern Lakes. Alberta Environmental Protection, Water Management Division. Edmonton, Alberta. 70 p.

Shell (Shell Canada Limited). 2007. Application for Approval of the Shell Scotford 2 Upgrader Project. Volume 2, Environmental Impact Assessment. Part A: Overview, Airshed and Watershed Resources. Submitted to Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and Alberta Environment. July 2007.

U.S. EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). 2002. National Recommended Water Quality Criteria: 2002. Office of Water 4304T. United States Environmental Protection Agency. EPA 822-R-02-047.

U.S. EPA. 2003a. National Primary Drinking Water Standards. Office of Water (4606M). United States Environmental Protection Agency. EPA-816-F-03-016.

U.S. EPA. 2003b. National Recommended Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Human Health. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Notice of Availability. Federal Register 68(250): 75507–75515. December 31, 2003.

Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Section 5: References


Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Appendix A: Detailed Water Quality Data Tables

TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page A-1

Appendix A Detailed Water Quality Data Tables


December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page A-2



Table A-1 Water Quality of the North Saskatchewan River and Astotin Creek in August 2007

Parameter Units Astotin CreekNorth Saskatchewan River at TOTAL Lands

Right Right-Centre Centre Left-Centre Left Field Measured pH – 7.7 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 Specific conductivity µS/cm 544 151 148 147 146 145 Temperature °C 18.5 21.9 22 22 22.2 22.4 Dissolved oxygen mg/L 2.9(A,C) 8.4 9.2 9.4 9.6 9.8 Conventional Parameters pH (lab) – 8.4 8.6(A,C) 8.6(A,C) 8.6(A,C) 8.6(A,C) 8.6(A,C) Colour TCU 40 9 8 8 8 5 Specific conductivity µS/cm 1160 322 316 312 313 309 Total dissolved solids mg/L 563 175 168 168 164 166 Total suspended solids mg/L 4 3 7 <3 3 <3 Total alkalinity mg/L 139 109 108 108 108 110 Hardness mg/L 398 164 156 158 153 157 Total organic carbon mg/L 15 3 7 3 3 3 Dissolved organic carbon mg/L 14 3 6 3 3 3 Biochemical oxygen demand mg/L 4 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 Major Ions Bicarbonate mg/L 163 120 118 117 118 120 Calcium mg/L 88.4 43.9 42 42.6 41.2 42 Carbonate mg/L <5 6 7 7 7 7 Chloride mg/L 241(C) 3 2 2 2 1 Magnesium mg/L 43.1 13.1 12.5 12.6 12.2 12.6 Potassium mg/L 4.7 1.7 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.4 Sodium mg/L 70 5 5 4 4 4 Sulphate mg/L 32.8 42.5 39.6 40.3 38.8 39.3 Sulphide mg/L 0.005 <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 <0.003



Table A-1 Water Quality of the North Saskatchewan River and Astotin Creek in August 2007 (cont’d)


Right Right-Centre Centre Left-Centre Left Nutrients Nitrate + nitrite mg/L <0.1 0.2 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 Nitrogen – ammonia mg/L <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 Nitrogen – total mg/L 1.1(C) <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 Nitrogen – Kjeldahl mg/L 1.1 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 Phosphorus – total mg/L 0.234(C) 0.015 0.013 0.011 0.012 0.011 Phosphorus – dissolved mg/L 0.155 0.004 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.002 General Organics Naphthenic acids mg/L <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Total phenolics mg/L 0.012(C,W) 0.001 0.002 0.001 <0.001 0.001 Total recoverable hydrocarbons mg/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 Metals (Total) Aluminum (Al) mg/L 0.07 0.26(C,H) 0.21(C,H) 0.18(C,H) 0.29(C,H) 0.27(C,H) Antimony (Sb) mg/L 0.0008 0.0005 0.0014 0.0009 0.0005 0.0007 Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.003 0.0005 0.0005 0.0004 0.0006 <0.0004 Barium (Ba) mg/L 0.132 0.065 0.065 0.063 0.065 0.065 Beryllium (Be) mg/L <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 Boron (B) mg/L <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 Cadmium (Cd) mg/L <0.001(D>C) <0.001(D>C) <0.001(D>C) <0.001(D>C) <0.001(D>C) <0.001(D>C) Chromium (Cr) mg/L 0.008(C) <0.005(D>C) <0.005(D>C) <0.005(D>C) 0.006(C) <0.005(D>C) Cobalt (Co) mg/L <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 Copper (Cu) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Iron (Fe) mg/L 0.308(C,H) 0.234 0.227 0.156 0.305(C,H) 0.233 Lead (Pb) mg/L <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 Lithium (Li) mg/L 0.04 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Manganese (Mn) mg/L 0.147(H) 0.011 0.019 0.007 0.023 0.01 Mercury (Hg) mg/L <0.0000006 <0.0000006 <0.0000006 <0.0000006 0.0015(A,C,H) (1) <0.0000006 Methyl mercury (CH3-Hg) mg/L 0.00000036 <0.00000003 <0.00000003 <0.00000003 <0.00000003 <0.00000003





Right Right-Centre Centre Left-Centre Left Metals (Total) (cont’d) Molybdenum (Mo) mg/L <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 Nickel (Ni) mg/L 0.004 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 Selenium (Se) mg/L 0.0007 <0.0004 <0.0004 <0.0004 <0.0004 <0.0004 Silver (Ag) mg/L <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 Strontium (Sr) mg/L 0.439 0.377 0.373 0.37 0.359 0.371 Thallium (Tl) mg/L <0.05(D>C,H) <0.05(D>C,H) <0.05(D>C,H) <0.05(D>C,H) <0.05(D>C,H) <0.05(D>C,H) Titanium (Ti) mg/L 0.003 0.005 0.006 0.003 0.006 0.005 Uranium (U) mg/L <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 Vanadium (V) mg/L 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.003 0.002 Zinc (Zn) mg/L 0.007 0.007 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.005 Metals (Dissolved) Aluminum (Al) mg/L <0.01 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Antimony (Sb) mg/L 0.0005 0.0005 0.0004 0.0006 0.0005 0.0004 Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.0032 <0.0004 <0.0004 <0.0004 <0.0004 <0.0004 Barium (Ba) mg/L 0.12 0.059 0.058 0.058 0.058 0.06 Beryllium (Be) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Boron (B) mg/L <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 Cadmium (Cd) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Chromium (Cr) mg/L 0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 Cobalt (Co) mg/L <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 Copper (Cu) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Iron (Fe) mg/L 0.019 0.012 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 Lead (Pb) mg/L <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 Lithium (Li) mg/L 0.034 0.005 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004 Manganese (Mn) mg/L 0.035 0.002 <0.001 0.001 0.001 0.002 Molybdenum (Mo) mg/L <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 Nickel (Ni) mg/L 0.004 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002





Right Right-Centre Centre Left-Centre Left Metals (Dissolved) (cont’d) Selenium (Se) mg/L <0.0004 <0.0004 0.0005 <0.0004 <0.0004 <0.0004 Silver (Ag) mg/L <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 Strontium (Sr) mg/L 0.447 0.384 0.373 0.372 0.378 0.374 Thallium (Tl) mg/L <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 Titanium (Ti) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Uranium (U) mg/L <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 Vanadium (V) mg/L 0.002 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 Zinc (Zn) mg/L 0.004 0.006 0.004 0.014 <0.001 0.004 Target PAHs and Alkylated PAHs Naphthalene µg/L <0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 C1 subst'd naphthalenes µg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.02 C2 subst'd naphthalenes µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C3 subst'd naphthalenes µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C4 subst'd naphthalenes µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 Acenaphthene µg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 C1 subst'd acenaphthene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 Acenaphthylene µg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Anthracene µg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Dibenzo(a,h) anthracene µg/L <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) Benzo(a)Anthracene/chrysene µg/L <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) C1 subst'd benzo(a) anthracene/chrysene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C2 subst'd benzo(a) anthracene/chrysene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 Benzo(a)pyrene µg/L <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) C1 subst'd benzo(b&k) fluoranthene/benzo(a)pyrene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C2 subst'd benzo(b&k) fluoranthene/benzo(a)pyrene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 Benzo(b&k)fluoranthene µg/L <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H)





Right Right-Centre Centre Left-Centre Left Target PAHs and Alkylated PAHs (cont’d) Benzo(g,h,i)perylene µg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Biphenyl µg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 C1 subst'd biphenyl µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C2 subst'd biphenyl µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 Dibenzothiophene µg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 C1 subst'd dibenzothiophene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C2 subst'd dibenzothiophene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C3 subst'd dibenzothiophene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C4 subst'd dibenzothiophene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 Fluoranthene µg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 C1 subst'd fluoranthene/pyrene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 Fluorene µg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 C1 subst'd fluorine µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C2 subst'd fluorine µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 Indeno(c,d-123)pyrene µg/L <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) <0.01(D>H) Phenanthrene µg/L <0.01 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 C1 subst'd phenanthrene/anthracene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C2 subst'd phenanthrene/anthracene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C3 subst'd phenanthrene/anthracene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 C4 subst'd phenanthrene/anthracene µg/L <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 <0.04 Pyrene µg/L <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 Volatile Organics Benzene µg/L <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 Ethylbenzene µg/L <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 Toluene µg/L <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 0.00065 0.00077 Xylenes µg/L <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 BTEX µg/L <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1




NOTES: Left and right banks are determined when facing downstream. Bold values are greater than relevant water quality guidelines. A = concentration greater than the acute aquatic life guideline or beyond the recommended pH or DO concentration range. C = concentration greater than the chronic aquatic life guideline or beyond the recommended pH or DO concentration range. H = concentration greater than the human health guideline or beyond the recommended pH range. W = concentration greater than the wildlife health guideline. D> = analytical detection limit was greater than the water quality guideline(s). 1 – This concentration is assumed to represent an isolated occurrence of sample contamination; see explanation in Appendix B. – no data Italics – result verified by repeat analysis Bold Italics – dissolved metal concentration more than 20% greater than total metal concentration Underlined values – result adjusted for method blank



Table A-2 Water Quality Data Collected in June 2006 in Astotin Creek Parameter Units Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4

Field Measured pH – 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.3 Temperature °C 13.5 14.9 16.4 16.3 Dissolved oxygen mg/L 0.9(AC) 0.7(AC) 5.0(C) 7.0 Conventional Parameters Specific conductance µS/cm 821 747 987 1720 Total dissolved solids mg/L 500 447 586 1100 Total suspended solids mg/L 6 7 31 6 Total alkalinity mg/L 275 259 262 334 Total hardness mg/L 384 352 435 797 Biochemical oxygen demand mg/L <2 2 3 2 Major Ions Calcium mg/L 107 96.6 114 190 Magnesium mg/L 28.4 26.9 33.0 78.4 Potassium mg/L 23.7 22.6 9.9 10 Sodium mg/L 24 22 48 92 Bicarbonate mg/L 335 316 320 408 Carbonate mg/L <5 <5 <5 <5 Chloride mg/L 45 40 94 186 Sulphate mg/L 106 83.2 126 345 Nutrients Nitrate + nitrite mg/L 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 Nitrogen – ammonia mg/L 0.38 0.17 0.05 0.12 Nitrogen – total mg/L 2.9(C) 2.8(C) 2.5(C) 2.0(C) Nitrogen – Kjeldahl mg/L 2.7 2.7 2.4 1.8 Phosphorus – total mg/L 0.36(C) 0.44(C) 0.45(C) 0.23(C) General Organics Benzene mg/L <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 Toluene mg/L <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 Ethylbenzene mg/L <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 Xylene mg/L <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 Total hydrocarbons (C6 – C10) mg/L <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 Total hydrocarbons (C10 – C16) mg/L <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 Metals (Total) Aluminum (Al) mg/L 0.28(C,H) 0.09 0.35(C,H) 0.12(C,H) Barium (Ba) mg/L 0.141 0.101 0.096 0.103 Beryllium (Be) mg/L <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 Boron (B) mg/L <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 Cadmium (Cd) mg/L <0.001(D>C) <0.001(D>C) <0.001(D>C) <0.001(D>C)



Table A-2 Water Quality Data Collected in June 2006 in Astotin Creek (cont’d) Parameter Units Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4

Metals (Total) (cont’d) Chromium (Cr) mg/L <0.005(D>C) <0.005(D>C) <0.005(D>C) <0.005(D>C) Cobalt (Co) mg/L <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 Copper (Cu) mg/L 0.001 <0.001 0.002 0.002 Iron (Fe) mg/L 2.27(C,H) 0.515(C,H) 0.653(C,H) 0.395(C,H) Lead (Pb) mg/L <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 Manganese (Mn) mg/L 0.663(H) 0.249(H) 0.183(H) 0.190(H) Molybdenum (Mo) mg/L <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 Nickel (Ni) mg/L 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.003 Silver (Ag) mg/L <0.005(D>C) <0.005(D>C) <0.005(D>C) <0.005(D>C) Strontium (Sr) mg/L 0.39 0.35 0.473 0.988 Thallium (Tl) mg/L <0.05(D>C,H) <0.05(D>C,H) <0.05(D>C,H) <0.05(D>C,H) Tin (Sn) mg/L <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 Titanium (Ti) mg/L 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.006 Vanadium (V) mg/L 0.001 <0.001 0.002 0.004 Zinc (Zn) mg/L 0.251(AC) 0.015 0.017 0.015

NOTES: Bold values are greater than relevant water quality guidelines. A = concentration greater than the acute aquatic life guideline or beyond the recommended pH or DO concentration range. C = concentration greater than the chronic aquatic life guideline or beyond the recommended pH or DO concentration range. H = concentration greater than the human health guideline or beyond the recommended pH range. W = concentration greater than the wildlife health guideline. D>C = analytical detection limit was greater than the water quality guideline(s). D>C,H = analytical detection limit was greater than the water quality guideline(s). – not applicable

SOURCE: Shell (2007)



Table A-3 Summary of Historical Water Quality Data for the North Saskatchewan River at Fort Saskatchewan

Parameter Units Winter Spring Summer Fall

Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Field Measured pH – 8 7.4 8.2 10 8 7.9 8.1 6 8.1 7.9 8.5 15 8.2 7.6 8.5 18 Specific conductivity µS/cm 362 235 412 14 326 300 398 12 350 300 470 54 326 255 395 27 Temperature °C 0.5 0 1.3 18 11.6 9.5 14.5 12 19.5 15.7 24.6 54 9.7 4.5 17 27 Dissolved oxygen mg/L 12.5 9.3 14 18 10.7 9 13 12 8.8 7 12 54 11.2 8 13.4 27 Conventional Parameters Specific conductivity µS/cm 363 319 385 16 334 310 361 14 330 275 390 60 328 309 366 24 Dissolved organic carbon mg/L 2 0.6 3 15 4 3 5 11 1 <0.4 45 26 4 0.9 9 19 Hardness mg/L 168 154 184 13 152 145 162 8 152 145 171 18 165 145 170 12 pH (lab) – 8.1 7.9 8.2 16 8.1 7.8 8.4 14 8.1 7.6 8.6 (A,C) 60 8.3 7.8 8.4 24 Total alkalinity mg/L 138 129 146 17 127 123 130 14 129 116 153 57 137 125 144 21 Total dissolved solids mg/L 215 201 290 17 176 167 250 14 180 137 320 57 195 181 290 21 Total organic carbon mg/L 5 2 7 2 10 9 10 3 8 6 12 26 7 2 10 11 Total suspended solids mg/L 9 <3 20 17 42 34 179 11 26 2 134 47 15 <0.4 47 29 Biochemical oxygen demand mg/L 1 0.9 3 16 2 <1 7 11 1 0.3 4 41 2 0.8 4 24 Major Ions Bicarbonate mg/L 171 158 173 13 155 150 156 8 156 146 158 18 171 162 176 12 Calcium mg/L 46 40 49 16 41 37 45 14 41 34 48 57 42 37 46 21 Carbonate mg/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 2 – – – – <5 – – 1 <5 <5 <5 3 Chloride mg/L 4 2 6 17 3 <1 4 14 2 <1 5 56 2 <1 4 21 Magnesium mg/L 13 12 15 16 12 10 12 14 12 7 13 57 12 10 14 21 Potassium mg/L 1 0.8 1 16 1 0.9 2 14 1 0.6 2 57 1 0.8 1 21 Sodium mg/L 8 6 9 16 7 5 9 14 6 2 11 57 7 5 9 21 Sulphate mg/L 46 40 62 16 33 29 42 14 40 20 50 57 40 20 44 21 Nutrients and Chlorophyll a Nitrate + nitrite mg/L 0.2 <0.05 0.9 17 0.1 <0.05 0.2 14 0.1 <0.05 0.6 65 0.2 <0.05 0.6 26 Nitrogen – ammonia mg/L 0.48 0.31 0.86 17 0.364 0.088 0.67 14 0.17 0.01 1.4 (C) 55 0.138 <0.002 0.77 29 Nitrogen – Kjeldahl mg/L 0.6 0.5 1 17 0.6 0.3 1.6 14 0.5 0.2 1.4 55 0.5 0.1 1 29 Nitrogen – total mg/L 0.83 0.48 1.6 (C) 17 0.72 0.26 1.81 (C) 14 0.5 0.28 1.92 (C) 55 0.54 0.22 1.28 (C) 26 Phosphorus – total mg/L 0.115 (C) 0.054 (C) 0.328 (C) 16 0.084 (C) 0.052 (C) 0.18 (C) 7 0.085 (C) 0.013 0.3 (C) 56 0.072 (C) 0.011 0.226 (C) 30 Phosphorus – dissolved mg/L 0.108 0.036 0.285 10 0.102 0.038 0.172 8 0.032 0.002 0.117 17 0.053 0.016 0.126 20 Chlorophyll a µg/L 0.9 0.5 3.83 12 3.6 1.37 15.7 11 3.88 2.62 14.39 30 2.62 0.7 5.8 19 General Organics Total phenolics mg/L <0.002 <0.001 0.004 (W) 16 0.002 <0.002 0.005 (W) 14 <0.002 <0.001 0.012 (C,W) 50 0.003 (W) <0.001 0.005 (W) 24



Table A-3 Summary of Historical Water Quality Data for the North Saskatchewan River at Fort Saskatchewan (cont’d)


Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Metals (Total) Aluminum (Al) mg/L 0.209 (C,H) – – 1 – – – – 2.013 (A,C,H) 1.496 (A,C,H) 2.707 (A,C,H) 5 0.15 (C,H) 0.124 (C,H) 0.174 (C,H) 5 Antimony (Sb) mg/L 0.00007 – – 1 – – – – 0.0001 0.00007 0.0001 5 0.00007 0.00005 0.00007 5 Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.0003 <0.0002 0.0008 15 0.0008 0.0007 0.0019 11 0.0007 <0.0002 0.0023 31 0.0004 <0.0002 0.0011 26 Barium (Ba) mg/L 0.072 0.066 0.073 4 0.112 0.107 0.113 4 0.092 0.085 0.098 5 0.055 0.054 0.091 9 Beryllium (Be) mg/L 0.00009 – – 1 – – – – <0.00004 <0.00004 <0.00004 5 <0.00004 <0.00004 <0.00004 5 Boron (B) mg/L 0.02 – – 1 – – – – 0.02 0.01 0.02 5 0.02 0.01 0.02 5 Cadmium (Cd) mg/L <0.001 (D>C) <0.00002 0.002 (C) 15 <0.001 (D>C) <0.001 (D>C) <0.001 (D>C) 14 <0.001 (D>C) <0.00002 0.003 (C) 52 <0.001 (D>C) <0.00002 0.004 (A,C) 26 Chromium (Cr) mg/L 0.003 (C) 0.0004 0.007 (C) 15 0.0065 (C) <0.001 0.009 (C) 14 0.004 (C) <0.001 0.027 (A,C) 52 0.004 (C) 0.0001 0.008 (C) 26 Cobalt (Co) mg/L <0.001 0.0002 <0.001 15 <0.001 <0.001 0.003 14 <0.001 0.0004 0.003 52 <0.001 0.00007 0.004 26 Copper (Cu) mg/L 0.002 0.001 0.006 (C) 15 0.003 <0.001 0.008 (C) 14 0.0025 <0.001 0.024 (A,C) 52 0.003 0.0008 0.013 (C) 26 Iron (Fe) mg/L 0.1 – – 1 – – – – 1.11 (C,H) 0.98 (C,H) 1.31 (C,H) 5 0.06 0.05 0.08 5 Lead (Pb) mg/L 0.0016 0.0002 <0.003 2 <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 3 0.003 0.0007 0.104 (C,H,W) 26 0.003 0.0001 0.007 (C) 11 Lithium (Li) mg/L 0.004 – – 1 – – – – 0.005 0.005 0.006 5 0.004 0.003 0.004 5 Manganese (Mn) mg/L 0.01 0.00635 0.018 15 0.03 0.021 0.121 (H) 11 0.025 <0.008 0.094 (H) 46 0.014 0.007 0.033 26 Mercury (Hg) mg/L <0.0001 (D>A,C) <0.00004 (D>A,C) <0.0001 (D>A,C) 16 <0.0001 (D>A,C) <0.0001 (D>A,C) <0.0001 (D>A,C) 11 <0.0001 (D>A,C) <0.00005 (D>A,C) <0.0001 (D>A,C) 29 <0.0001 (D>A,C) <0.00005 (D>A,C) 0.0002 (A,C) 18 Molybdenum (Mo) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 0.0016 15 <0.001 <0.001 0.005 11 <0.001 0.0008 0.007 43 <0.001 0.0009 0.007 26 Nickel (Ni) mg/L 0.004 0.0008 0.008 15 0.006 0.003 0.014 14 0.005 <0.001 0.039 52 0.004 <0.00006 0.008 26 Selenium (Se) mg/L <0.0002 <0.0002 0.0007 15 <0.0002 <0.0002 <0.0002 11 <0.0002 <0.0002 0.0007 29 <0.0002 <0.0002 0.0007 25 Silicon (Si) mg/L 2.4 – – 1 – – – – – – – – – – – – Silver (Ag) mg/L 0.000012 – – 1 – – – – 0.000014 0.00001 0.00003 5 <0.000005 <0.000005 <0.000005 5 Strontium (Sr) mg/L 0.43 – – 1 – – – – 0.39 0.36 0.4 5 0.4 0.4 0.41 5 Thallium (Tl) mg/L <0.000003 – – 1 – – – – 0.00003 0.00003 0.00004 5 0.000003 <0.000003 0.00003 5 Titanium (Ti) mg/L 0.0023 – – 1 – – – – 0.029 0.022 0.048 5 0.0013 0.0011 0.0016 5 Uranium (U) mg/L 0.0006 – – 1 – – – – 0.0005 0.0005 0.0006 5 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 5 Vanadium (V) mg/L <0.002 0.0005 0.005 15 0.004 <0.002 0.009 11 0.004 <0.002 0.013 43 0.0035 0.0001 0.007 26 Zinc (Zn) mg/L 0.005 0.002 0.039 (C) 15 0.018 <0.001 0.061 (C) 14 0.012 <0.001 0.064 (C) 52 0.003 <0.001 0.057 (C) 26 Metals (Dissolved) Beryllium (Be) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 7 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 8 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 8 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 12

Target PAHs and Alkylated PAHs Naphthalene µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 Acenaphthene µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 Acenaphthylene µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 Anthracene µg/L <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 – – – – <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 Dibenzo(a,h) anthracene µg/L <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) 4 – – – – <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) 4 <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) 4





Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Benzo(a) anthracene / chrysene µg/L <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 4 – – – – <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 4 <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 4 Benzo(a)pyrene µg/L <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 4 – – – – <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 4 <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 4 Benzo(g,h,i)perylene µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 Fluoranthene µg/L <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 – – – – <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 Fluorene µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 Indeno(c,d-123)pyrene µg/L <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) 4 – – – – <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) 4 <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) 4 Phenanthrene µg/L <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 – – – – <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 Pyrene µg/L <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 – – – – <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 4 Phenolics Phenol µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 2,4-Dimethylphenol µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 2-Nitrophenol µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 4-Nitrophenol µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 2,4-Dinitrophenol µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 Volatile Organics Benzene µg/L <0.1 <0.1 0.3 7 – – – – <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 4 <0.1 <0.1 0.2 4 Bromoform µg/L <5 <5 <5 7 – – – – <5 <5 <5 4 <5 <5 <5 4 Bromomethane µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 3 <1 <1 <1 4 Carbon tetrachloride µg/L <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 7 – – – – <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 4 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 4 Chlorobenzene µg/L <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 7 – – – – <0.2 <0.2 <1 4 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4 2-Chloroethyl vinyl ether µg/L <1 <1 <1 4 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 Chloroform µg/L <0.1 <0.1 0.2 7 – – – – <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 4 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 4 Dibromochloromethane µg/L <1 <1 <1 7 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 1,2-Dichlorobenzene µg/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 7 – – – – <0.5 <0.5 <1 4 <0.5 <0.5 <1 4 1,3-Dichlorobenzene µg/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 7 – – – – <0.5 <0.5 <1 4 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 4 1,4-Dichlorobenzene µg/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 7 – – – – <0.75 <0.5 <1 4 <0.5 <0.5 <1 4 1,1-Dichloroethane µg/L <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 7 – – – – <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4 1,2-Dichloroethane µg/L <1 <1 <1 7 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 1,1-Dichloroethene µg/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 7 – – – – <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 4 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 4 trans-1,2-Dichloroethene µg/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 7 – – – – <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 4 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 4 1,2-Dichloropropane µg/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 7 – – – – <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 4 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 4 trans-1,3-Dichloropropene µg/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 7 – – – – <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 4 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 4 Ethylbenzene µg/L <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 7 – – – – <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 4 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 4 Methylene chloride µg/L 23 <10 112 7 – – – – <10 <10 <10 4 <10 <10 <10 4 Tetrachloroethylene µg/L <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 7 – – – – <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4





Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane µg/L <5 <5 <5 7 – – – – <5 <5 <5 4 <5 <5 <5 4 Toluene µg/L <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 7 – – – – <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 4 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 4 1,1,1-Trichloroethane µg/L <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 7 – – – – <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4 1,1,2-Trichloroethane µg/L <1 <1 <1 7 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 <1 <1 4 Trichloroethene µg/L <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 7 – – – – <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 4

NOTES: Bold values are greater than relevant water quality guidelines. A – concentration greater than the acute aquatic life guideline or beyond the recommended pH or DO concentration range. C – concentration greater than the chronic aquatic life guideline or beyond the recommended pH or DO concentration range. H – concentration greater than the human health guideline or beyond the recommended pH range. W – concentration greater than the wildlife health guideline. D> – analytical detection limit was greater than the water quality guideline(s). – no data or not applicable




Table A-4 Summary of Historical Water Quality Data for the North Saskatchewan River at Vinca


Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Field Measured pH – 8.3 7.2 8.4 5 8 8 8.3 5 8.3 8.1 9 (A,C) 21 8.5 7.9 9 (A,C) 6 Specific conductivity µS/cm 354 345 400 5 343 311 371 5 335 326 380 21 331 272 355 7 Temperature °C 0.2 0 0.5 8 12.1 9.1 14.8 5 20.6 15.8 24.5 21 13.4 6.6 17.6 7 Dissolved oxygen mg/L 12.2 11.7 12.8 8 9.9 9.7 10.7 5 8.2 7.2 12.3 21 10.7 9.3 12.2 7 Conventional Parameters Specific conductivity µS/cm 358 338 394 9 370 – – 1 335 323 349 19 300 290 368 58 Dissolved organic carbon mg/L 3 2 3 5 6 – – 1 2 0.9 4 12 3 2 4 2 Hardness mg/L 171 163 187 9 159 – – 1 158 149 166 17 161 150 172 2 pH (lab) – 8.1 7.9 8.3 9 8 – – 1 8.3 8.1 8.8 (A,C) 19 8.3 7.9 8.6 (A,C) 58 Total alkalinity mg/L 139 130 145 10 132 – – 1 127 122 128 17 134 131 138 2 Total dissolved solids mg/L 207 198 260 10 200 – – 1 186 177 227 22 196 187 204 2 Total organic carbon mg/L 3 – – 1 3 – – 1 5 3 22 4 1 0.6 3 56 Total suspended solids mg/L 7 0.5 28 10 34 14 53 2 9 <2 72 42 10 3 50 60 Biochemical oxygen demand mg/L 1 0.7 <2 8 2 0.8 3 2 2 0.8 2 18 2 1 3 7 Major Ions Bicarbonate mg/L 168 158 176 9 160 – – 1 155 144 156 17 164 159 168 2 Calcium mg/L 47 44 50 9 44 – – 1 42 40 45 16 44 42 46 2 Carbonate mg/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 3 – – – – 2 1 <5 3 – – – – Chloride mg/L 4 3 4 9 4 – – 1 2 <1 7 22 3 1 6 56 Magnesium mg/L 13 12 15 9 12 – – 1 13 12 31 17 13 11 14 2 Potassium mg/L 0.9 0.7 1 9 3 – – 1 1 0.9 1 17 1 1 1 2 Sodium mg/L 7 4 8 9 12 – – 1 7 6 8 22 5 4 10 56 Sulphate mg/L 49 45 54 9 46 – – 1 40 33 46 22 45 40 50 2 Nutrients and Chlorophyll a Nitrate + nitrite mg/L 0.3 0.2 0.5 10 0.2 0.2 0.2 2 0.2 <0.05 0.6 29 0.3 0.2 0.6 4 Nitrogen – ammonia mg/L 0.317 0.05 0.48 8 0.272 0.147 0.397 2 0.113 0.04 0.285 (C) 19 0.086 0.03 0.14 6 Nitrogen – Kjeldahl mg/L 0.5 0.5 0.7 8 0.9 0.7 1.1 2 0.5 0.3 0.8 19 0.3 0.1 0.6 54 Nitrogen – total mg/L 0.89 0.69 1.16 (C) 8 0.91 – – 1 0.71 0.5 1.21 (C) 18 0.55 0.43 0.66 2 Phosphorus – total mg/L 0.114 (C) 0.046 0.157 (C) 8 0.092 (C) 0.057 (C) 0.126 (C) 2 0.071 (C) 0.029 0.127 (C) 22 0.042 0.012 0.115 (C) 55 Phosphorus – dissolved mg/L 0.092 0.037 0.14 8 0.042 0.03 0.049 3 0.034 0.015 0.063 19 0.046 0.02 0.09 7 Chlorophyll a µg/L 1.3 0.9 1.7 8 11 4.3 12 3 6 2.6 9.8 19 4.5 2.2 7.8 7 General Organics Total Phenolics mg/L <0.002 <0.001 <0.002 7 0.005 (W) – – 1 0.002 0.001 0.004 (W) 15 0.002 <0.001 0.005 (W) 57 Metals (Total) Aluminum (Al) mg/L 0.309 (C,H) – – 1 0.604 (C,H) – – 1 1.7745 (A,C,H) 0.236 (C,H) 2.199 (A,C,H) 8 0.1391 (C,H) 0.0942 0.184 (C,H) 2 Antimony (Sb) mg/L 0.0001 – – 1 0.00007 – – 1 0.00008 0.00001 0.0001 8 0.00007 0.00006 0.00007 2 Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.0006 <0.0002 0.001 5 0.0007 0.0005 0.001 2 0.0006 0.0003 0.0008 15 0.0004 0.0003 0.0006 4 Barium (Ba) mg/L 0.067 0.067 0.07 4 0.07 – – 1 0.072 0.01 0.091 13 0.056 0.05 0.062 2 Beryllium (Be) mg/L 0.00007 – – 1 <0.00004 – – 1 <0.00004 <0.00004 0.0002 8 0.0001 <0.00004 0.0002 2



Table A-4 Summary of Historical Water Quality Data for the North Saskatchewan River at Vinca (cont’d)


Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Boron (B) mg/L 0.02 – – 1 0.01 – – 1 0.02 0.008 0.02 3 0.02 0.02 0.02 2 Cadmium (Cd) mg/L <0.001 (D>C) 0.00002 <0.001 (D>C) 5 <0.0005 (D>C) <0.00002 <0.001 (D>C) 2 <0.00004 <0.00002 0.002 (C) 15 <0.0005 (D>C) <0.00002 0.002 (C) 4 Chromium (Cr) mg/L 0.004 (C) 0.0007 0.005 (C) 5 0.0029 (C) 0.0007 0.005 (C) 2 0.0017 (C) 0.0004 0.006 (C) 15 <0.001 0.0002 0.014 (C) 58 Cobalt (Co) mg/L <0.001 0.0002 <0.001 5 0.0007 0.0003 <0.001 2 0.0008 0.0001 0.003 15 0.0006 0.00009 0.005 4 Copper (Cu) mg/L 0.002 <0.001 0.003 5 0.0018 0.0007 0.003 2 0.0018 0.0008 0.003 15 <0.001 0.0009 0.01 (C) 58 Iron (Fe) mg/L 0.15 – – 1 0.38 (C,H) – – 1 0.73 (C,H) 0.05 1.06 (C,H) 13 0.06 0.06 0.06 2 Lead (Pb) mg/L 0.0022 – – 1 0.0006 – – 1 0.0007 <0.00001 0.0008 8 <0.002 0.0004 0.05 (C,H) 56 Lithium (Li) mg/L 0.005 – – 1 0.005 – – 1 0.005 0.005 0.005 3 0.004 0.004 0.004 2 Manganese (Mn) mg/L 0.015 0.01 0.026 5 0.035 0.022 0.048 2 0.026 0.009 0.036 15 0.01 0.007 0.032 4 Mercury (Hg) mg/L <0.000075 (D>A,C) <0.00004 (D>A,C) 0.0002 (A,C) 8 <0.00007 (D>A,C) <0.00004 (D>A,C) <0.0001 (D>A,C) 2 <0.00004 (D>A,C) 0.0000009 <0.0001 (D>A,C) 15 0.0001 (A,C) <0.00004 (D>A,C) 0.0002 (A,C) 59 Molybdenum (Mo) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 0.0016 5 0.0031 0.0012 0.005 2 0.001 0.0008 0.002 15 0.0012 <0.001 0.004 4 Nickel (Ni) mg/L 0.003 0.0014 0.005 5 0.0037 0.0004 0.007 2 0.0016 <0.00006 0.008 15 0.001 0.00008 0.011 58 Selenium (Se) mg/L <0.0002 <0.0002 0.0006 5 <0.0004 <0.0002 <0.0005 2 <0.0004 0.0001 0.0007 15 0.0005 <0.0002 0.0009 4 Silicon (Si) mg/L 2.7 – – 1 2.1 – – 1 2.7 1.9 3.6 2 1.3 – – 1 Silver (Ag) mg/L 0.000014 – – 1 0.000022 – – 1 <0.000005 <0.000005 <0.000005 3 <0.000005 <0.000005 <0.000005 2 Strontium (Sr) mg/L 0.45 – – 1 0.47 – – 1 0.46 0.4 0.46 3 0.38 0.35 0.41 2 Thallium (Tl) mg/L <0.000003 – – 1 0.00003 – – 1 0.00004 0.00002 0.00006 3 0.00001 0.00001 0.00001 2 Titanium (Ti) mg/L 0.0035 – – 1 0.0085 – – 1 0.018 0.0018 0.018 3 0.002 0.002 0.002 2 Uranium (U) mg/L 0.0006 – – 1 0.0006 – – 1 0.0005 0.0005 0.0007 3 0.0005 0.0004 0.0005 2 Vanadium (V) mg/L 0.003 0.0006 0.003 5 0.0027 0.0014 0.004 2 0.003 0.0005 0.005 15 0.0028 <0.00004 0.006 4 Zinc (Zn) mg/L 0.006 0.005 0.007 5 0.003 <0.001 0.004 2 0.004 <0.001 0.009 15 0.005 <0.001 0.032 (C) 58 Metals (Dissolved) Beryllium (Be) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 4 <0.001 – – 1 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 7 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 2 Target PAHs and Alkylated PAHs Naphthalene µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 – – 1 Acenaphthene µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 – – 1 <1 – – 1 Acenaphthylene µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 – – 1 <1 – – 1 Anthracene µg/L <1 (D>C) – – 1 – – – – <1 (D>C) – – 1 <1 (D>C) – – 1 Dibenzo(a,h) anthracene µg/L <1 (D>H) – – 1 – – – – <1 (D>H) – – 1 <1 (D>H) – – 1 Benzo(a) anthracene / chrysene µg/L <1 (D>C,H) – – 1 – – – – <1 (D>C,H) – – 1 <1 (D>C,H) – – 1 Benzo(a)pyrene µg/L <1 (D>C,H) – – 1 – – – – <1 (D>C,H) – – 1 <1 (D>C,H) – – 1 Benzo(g,h,i)perylene µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 – – 1 <1 – – 1 Fluoranthene µg/L <1 (D>C) – – 1 – – – – <1 (D>C) – – 1 <1 (D>C) – – 1 Fluorene µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 – – 1 <1 – – 1 Indeno(c,d-123)pyrene µg/L <1 (D>H) – – 1 – – – – <1 (D>H) – – 1 <1 (D>H) – – 1 Phenanthrene µg/L <1 (D>C) – – 1 – – – – <1 (D>C) – – 1 <1 (D>C) – – 1 Pyrene µg/L <1 (D>C) – – 1 – – – – <1 (D>C) – – 1 <1 (D>C) – – 1



Table A-4 Summary of Historical Water Quality Data for the North Saskatchewan River at Vinca (cont’d)


Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Phenolics Phenol µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 – – 1 <1 – – 1 2,4-Dimethylphenol µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 – – 1 <1 – – 1 2-Nitrophenol µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 – – 1 <1 – – 1 4-Nitrophenol µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 – – 1 <1 – – 1 2,4-Dinitrophenol µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 – – 1 <1 – – 1 Volatile Organics Benzene µg/L <0.1 – – 1 – – – – <1 <0.1 <1 4 <0.1 – – 1 Bromoform µg/L <5 – – 1 – – – – <5 <5 <5 4 <5 – – 1 Bromomethane µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 – – 1 Carbon tetrachloride µg/L <0.1 – – 1 – – – – <1 <0.1 <1 4 <0.1 – – 1 Chlorobenzene µg/L <0.2 – – 1 – – – – <1 <1 <1 3 <0.2 – – 1 Chloroethane µg/L – – – – – – – – <1 <1 <1 3 – – – – 2-Chloroethyl vinyl ether µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <4 <1 <4 4 <1 – – 1 Chloroform µg/L <0.1 – – 1 – – – – 0.35 <0.1 0.6 4 <0.1 – – 1 Dibromochloromethane µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 – – 1 Dibromomethane µg/L – – – – – – – – <1 <1 <1 3 – – – – 1,2-Dichlorobenzene µg/L <0.5 – – 1 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <0.5 – – 1 1,3-Dichlorobenzene µg/L <0.5 – – 1 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <0.5 – – 1 1,4-Dichlorobenzene µg/L <0.5 – – 1 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 – – 1 cis-1,4-Dichloro-2-butene µg/L – – – – – – – – <1 <1 <1 3 – – – – 1,1-Dichloroethane µg/L <0.2 – – 1 – – – – <1 <0.2 <1 4 <0.2 – – 1 1,2-Dichloroethane µg/L <1 – – 1 – – – – <1 <1 <1 4 <1 – – 1 1,1-Dichloroethene µg/L <0.5 – – 1 – – – – <1 <0.5 <1 4 <0.5 – – 1 trans-1,2-Dichloroethene µg/L <0.5 – – 1 – – – – <1 <0.5 <1 4 <0.5 – – 1 1,2-Dichloropropane µg/L <0.5 – – 1 – – – – <1 <0.5 <1 4 <0.5 – – 1 trans-1,3-Dichloropropene µg/L <0.5 – – 1 – – – – <3 <0.5 <3 4 <0.5 – – 1 Ethylbenzene µg/L <0.1 – – 1 – – – – <1 <0.1 <1 4 <0.1 – – 1





Table A-5 Summary of Historical Water Quality Data for the North Saskatchewan River at Pakan


Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Field Measured pH – 7.9 7.1 9.6 (A,C,H) 136 8 7.3 8.6 (A,C) 56 8.1 7.6 8.8 (A,C) 108 8.4 7.2 9 (A,C) 60 Specific conductivity µS/cm 355 270 461 132 331 244 405 59 343 220 440 147 340 240 400 75 Temperature °C 0.2 0 4.97 146 9.2 <0.01 19.1 59 18.9 14.3 24.6 147 11.7 1.8 17.2 78 Dissolved oxygen mg/L 11.3 8.8 14.8 146 11.2 7.9 13 59 8.4 5.5 (C) 12.2 147 10.4 8.1 15.1 78 Conventional Parameters Colour TCU 5 <5 30 125 20 <5 160 47 10 <5 60 82 10 <5 33 48 Specific conductivity µS/cm 367 313 464 119 327 234 379 51 331 247 390 121 342 266 377 66 Dissolved organic carbon mg/L 2 0.8 27 139 4 1 11 54 4 0.7 12 103 3 1 9 62 Hardness mg/L 173 150 210 113 154 100 178 45 160 130 190 79 165 121 200 49 pH (lab) – 7.9 7.4 8.3 119 7.9 7.2 8.5 51 8.2 6.6 9.1 (A,C,H) 121 8.2 7.5 8.8 (A,C) 65 Total alkalinity mg/L 137 109 172 120 125 91 145 51 130 115 158 118 135 84 157 63 Total dissolved solids mg/L 216 162 290 146 196 150 340 55 193 137 504 132 205 146 330 70 Total organic carbon mg/L 2 1 9 97 5 1 11 43 5 2 17 89 3 1 9 47 Total suspended solids mg/L 3 <0.4 40 146 72 <0.4 547 55 31 <1 579 161 13 <0.4 570 113 Biochemical oxygen demand mg/L 2 0.8 6 18 2 2 2 5 2 <0.3 5 37 2 <1 4 22 Major Ions Bicarbonate mg/L 167 133 209 111 148 111 177 45 155 128 179 79 159 102 179 51 Calcium mg/L 47 40 62 119 42 29 48 51 42 34 51 118 44 27 53 63 Carbonate mg/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 105 <0.5 <0.5 5 43 <0.5 <0.5 10 75 <0.5 <0.5 20 44 Chloride mg/L 4 2 21 119 4 2 15 51 2 <1 6 119 3 0.8 11 63 Magnesium mg/L 14 11 17 119 12 8 15 51 12 7 15 118 13 5 16 63 Potassium mg/L 1 0.7 7 119 2 0.9 6 51 1 <0.3 3 116 1 0.5 2 63 Sodium mg/L 8 5 18 119 8 5 14 51 6 2 13 155 7 4 19 102 Sulphate mg/L 49 36 64 117 41 24 55 51 39 20 60 119 40 20 54 63 Nutrients and Chlorophyll a Nitrate + nitrite mg/L 0.4 <0.05 1.3 144 0.3 <0.003 1.6 58 0.2 0.03 0.7 142 0.4 0.08 0.7 72 Nitrogen – ammonia mg/L 0.43 <0.01 2.5 (A,C) 144 0.22 <0.01 0.77 (C) 57 0.042 <0.002 <0.4 (D>C) 131 0.07 <0.005 0.5 (C) 70 Nitrogen – Kjeldahl mg/L 0.6 0.2 3.4 146 0.6 0.3 2.2 57 0.5 <0.05 1.8 132 0.4 0.08 3.8 70 Nitrogen – total mg/L 1.01 (C) <0.5 4.02 (C) 144 0.92 0.36 2.74 (C) 57 0.68 <0.05 2.08 (C) 130 0.74 0.29 4.5 (C) 67 Phosphorus – total mg/L 0.091 (C) 0.007 0.96 (C) 146 0.142 (C) 0.031 1.15 (C) 54 0.092 (C) 0.013 0.761 (C) 167 0.066 (C) 0.012 0.242 (C) 107 Phosphorus – dissolved mg/L 0.072 0.003 0.208 136 0.045 0.005 0.157 52 0.03 <0.003 0.159 92 0.042 0.005 0.115 57 Chlorophyll a µg/L 1.95 0.3 12.95 138 7.6 1.5 71.6 55 5.91 1.2 39.4 111 6.4 1.4 43.8 61 General Organics Total phenolics mg/L <0.001 <0.001 0.007 (C,W) 108 <0.001 <0.001 0.044 (C,W) 43 <0.001 <0.001 0.013 (C,W) 106 <0.001 <0.001 <0.02 (D>C,W) 54 Metals (Total) Aluminum (Al) mg/L 0.0915 <0.001 0.8 (A,C,H) 82 0.715 (C,H) 0.148 (C,H) 7.1 (A,C,H,W) 29 0.38 (C,H) <0.01 3.814 A,C,H,W) 53 0.13 (C,H) 0.011 0.214 (C,H) 30 Antimony (Sb) mg/L <0.0002 0.00004 0.0004 26 0.0002 0.00006 0.0005 13 0.0002 0.00006 <0.005 21 <0.0002 0.00006 <0.005 12 Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.0003 <0.0002 <0.005 56 0.0005 0.0003 <0.005 18 0.0006 0.0002 0.02 (C,H) 47 0.0004 <0.0002 <0.004 34 Barium (Ba) mg/L 0.067 0.053 0.081 38 0.072 0.05 0.22 20 0.078 0.035 0.483 63 0.069 0.051 0.094 57



Table A-5 Summary of Historical Water Quality Data for the North Saskatchewan River at Pakan (cont’d)


Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Beryllium (Be) mg/L <0.0002 <0.00004 0.006 26 <0.0002 <0.00004 0.002 13 <0.0002 <0.00004 0.004 21 <0.0002 <0.00004 0.0002 12 Boron (B) mg/L 0.02 <0.01 0.26 26 0.02 0.01 0.04 13 0.02 <0.00008 0.85 20 0.02 <0.001 0.04 12 Cadmium (Cd) mg/L <0.0002 <0.00002 0.0014 (C) 69 <0.0002 <0.00002 <0.003 (D>C) 31 <0.001 (D>C) <0.00002 0.0038 (C) 113 0.001 (C) <0.00002 0.0049 (A,C) 78 Chromium (Cr) mg/L 0.003 (C) <0.00008 0.015 (C) 93 0.005 (C) 0.0009 0.015 (C) 39 0.0035 (C) 0.0001 0.021 (A,C) 129 0.004 (C) 0.0003 0.011 (C) 82 Chromium – hexavalent (Cr6+) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 0.001 5 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 4 0.001 <0.001 0.003 4 <0.001 <0.001 0.001 4 Cobalt (Co) mg/L <0.0007 0.00007 0.0014 45 0.001 0.0002 0.0059 26 <0.001 0.00009 0.0118 100 <0.001 0.00009 0.004 67 Copper (Cu) mg/L 0.0018 <0.0002 0.016 (C) 95 0.002 <0.0002 0.0503 (A,C) 39 0.003 0.0009 0.0368 (A,C) 127 0.002 <0.0002 0.0104 (C) 84 Iron (Fe) mg/L 0.1 <0.01 0.57 (C,H) 26 0.8 (C,H) 0.01 5.16 (C,H) 14 0.87 (C,H) 0.008 2.824 (C,H) 58 0.36 (C,H) 0.06 2.56 (C,H) 51 Lead (Pb) mg/L 0.0012 0.0001 0.014 (C,H) 94 0.0021 0.0003 0.0101 (C,H) 36 0.002 0.00008 0.0214 (C,H) 78 0.002 0.0001 0.008 (C) 43 Lithium (Li) mg/L 0.004 0.003 0.017 26 0.004 0.004 0.006 12 0.005 <0.004 0.301 20 0.004 <0.001 0.009 12 Manganese (Mn) mg/L 0.008 0.003 0.034 42 0.034 0.009 0.337 (H) 18 0.032 <0.008 0.69 (H) 93 0.019 <0.001 0.083 (H) 66 Mercury (Hg) mg/L <0.00005 (D>A,C) <0.0000006 0.0001 (A,C) 113 <0.00005 (D>A,C) 0.0000019 0.00122 (A,C,H) 48 <0.00005 (D>A,C) 0.0000011 0.00018 (A,C) 93 <0.00005 (D>A,C) <0.0000006 0.0012 (A,C,H) 53 Molybdenum (Mo) mg/L 0.0011 0.0006 0.004 41 0.0011 0.0005 0.002 15 0.001 0.0003 0.006 89 0.0011 <0.0007 0.004 66 Nickel (Ni) mg/L 0.0038 0.0002 0.05 94 0.0069 0.0006 0.0237 39 0.0042 <0.00006 0.0382 127 0.004 0.0001 0.0592 84 Selenium (Se) mg/L <0.0002 <0.0002 <0.007 (D>C) 54 <0.0002 <0.0002 <0.007 (D>C) 18 <0.0002 <0.0001 <0.004 (D>C) 43 <0.0002 <0.0002 <0.004 (D>C) 31 Silicon (Si) mg/L 1.8 0.3 2.7 21 2.2 0.8 11.5 8 2.2 1 28.5 16 0.9 0.6 1.3 9 Silver (Ag) mg/L <0.0001 <0.000005 <0.0002 (D>C) 33 <0.0001 <0.000005 0.002 (C) 19 <0.0001 <0.000005 <0.004 (D>C) 25 <0.0001 <0.000005 <0.004 (D>C) 15 Strontium (Sr) mg/L 0.43 0.36 0.49 26 0.37 0.27 0.52 13 0.4 0.24 0.5 20 0.37 0.31 0.55 12 Thallium (Tl) mg/L <0.0002 <0.000003 0.0004 (H) 26 <0.0002 0.00001 <0.0002 13 0.0002 0.00002 <0.002 (D>C,H) 20 <0.0002 <0.000003 <0.002 (D>C,H) 12 Titanium (Ti) mg/L 0.002 <0.001 0.0115 26 0.012 <0.001 0.101 13 0.008 0.0003 0.127 20 0.0014 0.0008 0.005 12 Uranium (U) mg/L 0.0006 <0.0004 0.001 26 0.0006 0.0005 0.0016 13 0.0006 0.0004 <0.01 20 0.0005 <0.0004 0.04 12 Vanadium (V) mg/L <0.001 0.0005 0.005 45 0.002 <0.001 0.013 23 0.004 0.0006 0.039 91 0.003 0.00007 0.008 67 Zinc (Zn) mg/L 0.012 <0.001 0.092 (C) 92 0.017 0.003 0.058 (C) 39 0.01 <0.001 0.088 (C) 129 0.006 <0.001 0.078 (C) 84 Metals (Dissolved) Aluminum (Al) mg/L 0.01 <0.001 0.06 83 0.027 0.003 0.271 39 0.03 <0.001 0.12 58 0.02 <0.001 0.102 35 Antimony (Sb) mg/L <0.0002 0.00003 <0.0002 7 0.0002 0.00007 0.0003 7 <0.0002 0.00006 <0.0002 7 <0.0002 0.00005 <0.0002 7 Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.0003 <0.0002 0.0009 82 0.0004 <0.0002 0.0008 40 0.0004 <0.0002 0.0015 59 0.0003 <0.0002 0.005 33 Barium (Ba) mg/L 0.063 0.039 0.077 7 0.051 0.042 0.057 6 0.06 0.052 0.069 7 0.054 0.05 0.071 7 Beryllium (Be) mg/L <0.0002 <0.000003 <0.001 11 <0.0002 0.000004 <0.001 8 <0.001 <0.000003 <0.001 44 <0.001 <0.000003 <0.001 49 Boron (B) mg/L <0.01 0.005 0.27 79 0.02 <0.01 0.07 38 0.01 0.009 0.1 54 0.01 <0.01 0.04 34 Cadmium (Cd) mg/L <0.0002 0.000005 <0.0002 7 0.0001 0.00001 <0.0002 6 <0.0002 0.000005 <0.0002 7 0.0002 0.000003 0.0004 7 Chromium (Cr) mg/L <0.001 0.0002 <0.001 7 0.0006 <0.00004 0.005 6 0.001 <0.00004 0.009 7 <0.001 0.0001 <0.001 7 Cobalt (Co) mg/L <0.0003 0.00002 <0.0003 7 0.0002 0.00006 0.0004 6 <0.0003 0.00002 <0.0003 7 0.0003 0.00003 0.0006 7 Copper (Cu) mg/L 0.0007 <0.0002 0.0044 7 0.0008 <0.0002 0.0013 6 0.0012 0.0006 0.0067 7 0.0009 0.0006 0.0017 7 Iron (Fe) mg/L <0.01 <0.002 0.12 128 0.02 <0.01 3.57 50 <0.01 <0.002 0.34 83 <0.01 <0.002 0.14 50 Lead (Pb) mg/L <0.0003 0.00005 <0.0003 7 0.0002 0.00005 <0.0003 6 <0.0003 0.00003 <0.0003 7 0.0003 0.00004 0.0004 7 Lithium (Li) mg/L 0.004 0.004 0.017 7 0.004 0.003 0.005 6 0.004 0.003 0.006 7 0.004 <0.001 0.005 7 Manganese (Mn) mg/L 0.004 <0.001 0.018 125 0.004 0.001 0.274 48 0.003 0.0005 0.034 82 0.004 0.0005 0.021 50 Molybdenum (Mo) mg/L 0.0011 0.0009 0.0012 7 0.001 <0.0002 0.0013 6 0.001 <0.0002 0.0013 7 0.001 0.0008 0.0012 7





Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Nickel (Ni) mg/L 0.0009 0.00003 0.0015 7 0.0014 <0.00006 0.0056 6 0.0009 0.0005 0.0047 7 0.0006 0.0003 0.0058 7 Selenium (Se) mg/L <0.0002 0.0002 0.0005 80 <0.0002 <0.0001 0.0006 40 <0.0002 <0.0001 <0.0005 59 <0.0002 <0.0002 0.0013 33 Silicon (Si) mg/L 1.83 1.64 2.11 4 1.6 1.23 1.75 3 1.385 0.71 2.89 4 0.67 0.56 1.03 4 Silver (Ag) mg/L <0.0001 <0.0000005 <0.0001 7 <0.000053 0.000002 <0.0001 6 <0.0001 0.000001 <0.0001 7 <0.0001 <0.0000005 <0.001 8 Strontium (Sr) mg/L 0.41 – – 1 0.3 0.27 0.33 2 0.37 – – 1 0.4 – – 1 Thallium (Tl) mg/L <0.0002 0.000003 <0.0002 7 0.00011 0.000004 <0.0002 6 <0.0002 <0.0000003 <0.0002 7 0.0002 0.000004 0.0002 7 Titanium (Ti) mg/L <0.001 0.0005 <0.001 7 0.001 0.0005 0.003 6 0.001 0.0005 0.007 7 <0.001 0.0004 <0.001 7 Uranium (U) mg/L 0.0005 <0.0004 0.0006 7 0.0005 <0.0004 0.0008 6 0.0005 0.0004 0.0007 7 0.0004 <0.0004 0.0006 7 Vanadium (V) mg/L 0.001 0.0002 0.001 7 0.0007 0.0002 <0.001 6 0.001 0.0003 0.003 7 <0.001 0.0002 <0.001 7 Zinc (Zn) mg/L 0.003 0.002 0.009 7 0.004 0.0009 0.011 6 0.003 0.001 0.007 7 0.003 0.002 0.019 7 Target PAHs and Alkylated PAHs Naphthalene µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 31 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 23 <1 <0.1 <1 21 Acenaphthene µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 31 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 21 Acenaphthylene µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 31 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 21 Anthracene µg/L <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 31 <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 15 <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 21 <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 21 Dibenzo(a,h) anthracene µg/L <5 (D>H) <0.5 (D>H) <5 (D>H) 31 <5 (D>H) <0.5 (D>H) <5 (D>H) 15 <5 (D>H) <0.5 (D>H) <5 (D>H) 21 <5 (D>H) <0.5 (D>H) <5 (D>H) 21 Benzo(a) anthracene / chrysene µg/L <1 (D>C,H) <0.1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 31 <1 (D>C,H) <0.1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 15 <1 (D>C,H) <0.1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 21 <1 (D>C,H) <0.1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 21 Benzo(a)pyrene µg/L <1 (D>C,H) <0.1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 31 <1 (D>C,H) <0.1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 15 <1 (D>C,H) <0.1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 21 <1 (D>C,H) <0.1 (D>C,H) <1 (D>C,H) 21 Benzo(g,h,i)perylene µg/L <2 <0.2 <2 31 <2 <0.2 <2 15 <2 <0.2 <2 21 <2 <0.2 <2 21 Fluoranthene µg/L <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 31 <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 15 <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 21 <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 21 Fluorene µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 31 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 21 Indeno(c,d-123)pyrene µg/L <1 (D>H) <0.1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) 31 <1 (D>H) <0.1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) 15 <1 (D>H) <0.1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) 21 <1 (D>H) <0.1 (D>H) <1 (D>H) 21 Phenanthrene µg/L <1 (D>C) <0.1 <1 (D>C) 31 <1 (D>C) <0.1 <1 (D>C) 15 <1 (D>C) <0.1 <1 (D>C) 21 <1 (D>C) <0.1 <1 (D>C) 21 Pyrene µg/L <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 31 <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 15 <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 21 <1 (D>C) <0.1 (D>C) <1 (D>C) 21 Phenolics Phenol µg/L <1 <0.1 <1.3 31 <1 <0.1 <1.3 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1.3 21 2,4-Dimethylphenol µg/L <2 <0.2 <2 31 <2 <0.2 <2 15 <2 <0.2 <2 21 <2 <0.2 <2 21 2-Nitrophenol µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 31 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 21 4-Nitrophenol µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 31 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 21 2,4-Dinitrophenol µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 31 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 21 Volatile Organics Benzene µg/L <1 <DL <1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 2 19 Ethylbenzene µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19 Bromoform µg/L <5 <0.5 <5 34 <5 <0.5 <5 15 <5 <0.5 <5 21 <5 <0.5 <5 19 Bromomethane µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 33 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 20 <1 <0.1 <1 19 Carbon tetrachloride µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19 Chlorobenzene µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 32 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19 Chloroethane µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 31 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 20 <1 <0.1 <1 18 2-Chloroethyl vinyl ether µg/L <4 <0.4 <4 31 <4 <0.4 <4 15 <4 <0.4 <4 21 <4 <0.4 <4 19 Chloroform µg/L <1 <DL 1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19





Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Chloromethane µg/L <5 <5 <5 8 <5 <5 <5 2 <5 <5 <5 4 <5 <5 <5 2 Dibromochloromethane µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19 Dibromomethane µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 31 <1 <0.1 <1 13 <1 <0.1 <1 20 <1 <0.1 <1 18 1,2-Dichlorobenzene µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19 1,3-Dichlorobenzene µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19 1,4-Dichlorobenzene µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19 cis-1,4-Dichloro-2-butene µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 9 <1 <0.1 <1 10 <0.55 <0.1 <1 14 Dichlorodifluoromethane µg/L <5 <5 <5 8 <5 <5 <5 2 <5 <5 <5 4 <5 <5 <5 2 1,1-Dichloroethane µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19 1,2-Dichloroethane µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19 1,1-Dichloroethene µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19 trans-1,2-Dichloroethene µg/L <20 <0.1 <20 34 <1 <0.1 <20 15 <1 <0.1 <20 21 <1 <0.1 <20 19 1,2-Dichloropropane µg/L <1 <0.1 <1 34 <1 <0.1 <1 15 <1 <0.1 <1 21 <1 <0.1 <1 19 trans-1,3-Dichloropropene µg/L <3 <0.3 <3 32 <3 <0.3 <3 13 <3 <0.3 <3 21 <3 <0.3 <3 19

NOTES: Bold values are greater than relevant water quality guidelines. A – concentration greater than the acute aquatic life guideline or beyond the recommended pH or DO concentration range. C – concentration greater than the chronic aquatic life guideline or beyond the recommended pH or DO concentration range. H – concentration greater than the human health guideline or beyond the recommended pH range. W – concentration greater than the wildlife health guideline. D> – analytical detection limit was greater than the water quality guideline(s). <DL – less than the detection limit and the detection limit is unknown. – no data or not applicable




Table A-6 Lateral Variation in Water Quality in the North Saskatchewan River at Vinca

Parameter Units Left Bank Centre Right Bank

Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Field Measured pH – 8.2 7.9 9 (A,C) 3 8.8 (A,C) – – 1 8 7.3 8.9 (A,C) 3

Specific conductivity µS/cm 334 272 355 4 272 – – 1 338 272 340 3

Temperature °C 11.8 6.6 17.6 4 17.1 – – 1 9.3 6.7 17.3 3 Dissolved oxygen mg/L 10.8 9.3 12.2 4 10.7 – – 1 10.8 10.3 11.6 3 Conventional Parameters

Specific conductivity µS/cm 300 300 314 13 300 290 315 43 310 300 320 13

pH (lab) – 8.4 7.9 8.6 (A,C) 13 8.3 8 8.5 43 8.3 7.9 8.4 13

Total organic carbon mg/L 1 1 2 12 1 0.6 3 42 1 0.9 2 12 Total suspended solids mg/L 11 6 18 13 10 4 21 43 10 7 18 13 Biochemical oxygen demand mg/L 2 2 3 2 2 1 3 2 2 1 3 2 Major Ions Chloride mg/L 3 1 5 12 3 1 6 42 3 2 6 12 Sodium mg/L 5 4 6 12 5 4 6 42 5 5 6 12 Nutrients and Chlorophyll a Nitrogen – ammonia mg/L 0.03 – – 1 0.12 – – 1 0.15 – – 1 Nitrogen – Kjeldahl mg/L 0.3 0.2 0.5 13 0.3 – 0.6 37 0.4 0.3 0.8 13 Phosphorus – total mg/L 0.037 0.029 0.055 (C) 13 0.048 0.012 0.11 (C) 37 0.068 (C) 0.038 0.123 (C) 13 Phosphorus – dissolved mg/L 0.034 – – 1 0.057 – – 1 0.077 – – 1 Chlorophyll a µg/L 4.5 – – 1 3.6 – – 1 3.2 – – 1 General Organics Total phenolics mg/L 0.002 <0.001 0.003 (W) 13 0.002 <0.001 0.005 (W) 42 0.002 <0.001 0.003 (W) 13 Metals (Total) Chromium (Cr) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 12 <0.001 <0.001 0.014 (C) 42 0.001 <0.001 0.004 (C) 12 Copper (Cu) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 0.001 12 <0.001 <0.001 0.008 (C) 42 <0.001 <0.001 0.002 12 Lead (Pb) mg/L <0.002 <0.002 0.004 12 <0.002 <0.002 0.05 (C,H) 42 <0.002 <0.002 0.005 12 Mercury (Hg) mg/L <0.0001

(D>A,C) <0.00005

(D>A,C) <0.0001

(D>A,C) 13 0.0001 (A,C) <0.00005

(D>A,C) 0.0002 (A,C) 43 0.0001 (A,C) <0.00005

(D>A,C) 0.0002 (A,C) 13



Table A-6 Lateral Variation in Water Quality in the North Saskatchewan River at Vinca (cont’d)


Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Nickel (Ni) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 0.002 12 0.002 <0.001 0.006 42 0.002 0.001 0.003 12 Zinc (Zn) mg/L 0.005 <0.001 0.021 12 0.006 <0.001 0.032 (C) 42 0.015 <0.001 0.113 (C) 12





Table A-7 Lateral Variation in Water Quality in the North Saskatchewan River at the NGL Pipeline Crossing


Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Field Measured


Temperature °C 7.5 4.5 17.5 3 7.6 4.5 17.5 3 8 4.5 17.5 3 Dissolved oxygen mg/L 12.5 9.5 13.4 3 11.9 8.4 12.6 3 11.5 7.8 12.6 3 Conventional Parameters


pH – 8.2 7.9 8.4 3 8.1 8.1 8.3 3 7.8 7.7 8.3 3

Total alkalinity mg/L 152 151 160 3 136 134 148 3 136 135 146 3 Total dissolved solids mg/L 310 300 320 3 260 240 280 3 250 210 320 3 Total organic carbon mg/L 14 11 16 2 8 8 8 2 8 7 8 2 Total suspended solids mg/L 17 17 22 3 25 12 27 3 27 13 33 3 Biochemical oxygen demand mg/L 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 3 Major Ions Calcium mg/L 42 41 46 3 40 39 48 3 41 40 49 3 Chloride mg/L 2 2 5 3 2 <1 2 3 5 3 5 3 Magnesium mg/L 11 10 12 3 10 10 11 3 11 10 12 3 Potassium mg/L 3 2 4 3 1 0.9 1 3 1 1 1 3 Sodium mg/L 12 8 18 3 7 6 7 3 9 8 9 3 Sulphate mg/L 30 25 35 3 20 20 30 3 25 20 30 3 Nutrients Nitrate + nitrite mg/L <0.05 <0.05 0.1 3 0.2 <0.05 0.3 3 0.6 0.4 0.7 3 Nitrogen – ammonia mg/L <0.4 <0.4 <0.4 3 <0.4 <0.4 0.4 3 0.7 0.6 0.8 3 Nitrogen – Kjeldahl mg/L 0.6 <0.5 0.6 3 0.7 <0.5 0.8 3 0.9 0.9 1.4 3 Nitrogen – total mg/L 0.6 <0.5 0.7 3 0.85 <0.5 1.05 (C) 3 1.5 (C) 1.28 (C) 2.1 (C) 3 Phosphorus – total mg/L 0.07 (C) 0.018 0.083 (C) 3 0.095 (C) 0.021 0.099 (C) 3 0.177 (C) 0.036 0.178 (C) 3 General Organics Total phenolics mg/L <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 3 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 3 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 3



Table A-7 Lateral Variation in Water Quality in the North Saskatchewan River at the NGL Pipeline Crossing (cont’d)


Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Median Min Max n Metals (Total) Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.001 <0.0002 0.0012 3 0.0004 <0.0002 0.0011 3 0.0004 <0.0002 0.0013 3 Cadmium (Cd) mg/L <0.001 (D>C) <0.001 (D>C) <0.001 (D>C) 3 <0.001 (D>C) <0.001 (D>C) <0.001 (D>C) 3 <0.001 (D>C) <0.001 (D>C) 0.005 (A,C) 3 Chromium (Cr) mg/L 0.005 (C) 0.003 (C) 0.006 (C) 3 0.006 (C) 0.003 (C) 0.007 (C) 3 0.006 (C) 0.005 (C) 0.008 (C) 3 Cobalt (Co) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 3 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 3 <0.001 <0.001 0.003 3 Copper (Cu) mg/L 0.003 <0.001 0.003 3 0.002 0.002 0.002 3 0.003 <0.001 0.003 3 Lead (Pb) mg/L <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 3 <0.003 <0.003 <0.003 3 <0.003 <0.003 0.008 (C) 3 Manganese (Mn) mg/L 0.019 0.019 0.019 3 0.018 0.009 0.019 3 0.019 0.011 0.021 3 Molybdenum (Mo) mg/L <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 3 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 3 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 3 Nickel (Ni) mg/L 0.003 <0.001 0.005 3 0.004 0.003 0.005 3 0.009 0.009 0.105 (C) 3 Selenium (Se) mg/L <0.0002 <0.0002 0.0003 3 <0.0002 <0.0002 <0.0002 3 <0.0002 <0.0002 <0.0002 3 Vanadium (V) mg/L <0.002 <0.002 0.003 3 0.003 <0.002 0.003 3 <0.002 <0.002 0.003 3 Zinc (Zn) mg/L 0.023 0.015 0.03 3 0.016 0.009 0.021 3 0.035 (C) 0.027 0.048 (C) 3



Environmental Baseline Study: Water Quality Appendix B: Quality Assurance and Quality Control

TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page B-1

Appendix B Quality Assurance and Quality Control


December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page B-2



B.1 Quality Assurance Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) practices determine data integrity and are relevant to all aspects of a study, from sample collection to data analysis and reporting. QA encompasses management and technical practices designed to ensure that the data are of consistent high quality. QC is an aspect of QA and includes the techniques used to assess data quality and the corrective actions to be taken when the data quality objectives are not met. The QA/QC program followed during the water quality environmental baseline study is described in the sections following.

B.1.1 Field Staff Training and Operations To ensure that field data are of known and defensible quality, field work was completed according to specified instructions and standard technical procedures. The procedures are consistent with standard methods of sample collection, preservation, storage and shipping (Environment Canada 1993; APHA 1992). Specific guidelines were provided for field record keeping and sample tracking. Field crews followed specific work instructions, which are standardized forms that provide specific sampling instructions, sampling equipment, relevant technical procedures, sample labelling, and shipping protocols and laboratory contacts.

B.1.2 Laboratory To ensure that high-quality data were generated, samples were sent to for analysis to laboratories accredited by the Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories (CAEAL). Under CAEAL’s accreditation program, performance assessments are conducted annually for laboratory procedures, analytical methods and internal quality control.

B.1.3 Office Operations A data management system was in place to ensure an organized system of data control, analysis and filing. Relevant elements of this system include the following:

• pre-field meetings to discuss specific work instructions with field crews • field crew check-in with task managers every 24 to 48 hours to report work

completed during that period • designating one crew member responsible for:

• collecting all required samples • completing chain-of-custody and analytical request forms • labelling and documentation • delivering samples to analytical laboratories in a timely manner

• cross-checking chain-of-custody forms analysis confirmation forms by the task manager to ensure the correct analysis packages had been requested

• reviewing laboratory data as they are received from the analytical laboratory • comparing sample data entered in the project database with final laboratory reports to

ensure data accuracy • creating backup files before data analysis • completing appropriate logic checks to ensure the accuracy of calculations



B.2 Quality Control Quality control is a specific aspect of QA, and includes the techniques used to assess data quality and the remedial measures to be taken when the data quality objectives are not met. The field QC program included collection of a field blank and a duplicate sample to assess potential sample contamination, and within-site variation/sampling precision, respectively. QC samples were submitted to ALS Laboratory Group, Environmental Division and Alberta Research Council for analysis of the full list of parameters.

The field blank consisted of a sample prepared in the field using laboratory-provided deionized water to fill a set of sample bottles, which were then submitted to the appropriate laboratory for the same analyses as the field samples. Field blanks were used to detect potential sample contamination during collection, shipping and analysis. Although parameters should not be detected in the field blanks, their concentrations were considered notable if they were greater than five times the corresponding method detection limit (MDL). This threshold is based on the Practical Quantitation Limit defined by U.S. EPA (1985), which takes into account the potential for data accuracy error when parameter concentrations approach or are below MDLs.

Notable results observed in the field blank were evaluated relative to parameter concentrations observed in the field samples to determine whether sample contamination was limited to the QC sample or was apparent in other samples as well. If, based on this comparison, sample contamination was not an isolated occurrence, field data were flagged and interpreted with this limitation in mind.

Duplicate samples consisted of two samples collected from the same location at the same time, using the same sampling and sample handling procedures. They were labelled and preserved individually, and submitted separately to the analytical laboratories for identical analyses. Duplicate samples are used to check within-site variation and the precision of field sampling methods. Differences between parameter concentrations in the duplicate samples were considered notable if:

• they were greater than 20% • parameter concentrations were greater than five times the MDL

These criteria are consistent with those used by ALS for internal QC and take into account the potential for data accuracy error as parameter concentrations approach MDLs. Within-site variability and field sampling precision were rated as:

• low and high, respectively, if less than 10% of the parameters included in the duplicate sample analysis were notably different from one another, or

• moderate if 10 to 30% of the parameters included in the duplicate sample analysis were notably different from one another, or

• high and low, respectively, if more than 30% of the parameters included in the duplicate sample analysis were notably different from one another



B.3 Quality Control Results

B.3.1 Field Blank In the August 2007 field blank, parameter concentrations were either below the analytical detection limit, or were within five times of the relevant MDLs, with the exception of total zinc and two PAH compounds (see Table B-1). Total zinc concentration in the field blank was 0.006 µg/L, whereas the range of concentrations in samples collected from the North Saskatchewan River was 0.005 to 0.007 µg/L (see Appendix A, Table A-1).

Based on these results, contamination of one or more of the samples collected from the North Saskatchewan River and Astotin Creek cannot be ruled out. The acute zinc guideline for the protection of aquatic life is 0.193 mg/L and the chronic guideline is 0.03 mg/L. Because these values are 5 to 32 times greater than the concentration measured in the field blank, the potential contamination did not affect the overall assessment of water quality.

Concentrations of the two PAHs detected in the field blank at more than five times the detection limit were either less than the detection limit or very low in samples collected from the North Saskatchewan River and Astotin Creek. Concentrations of these compounds were several times lower in the North Saskatchewan River and Astotin Creek samples compared with the field blank. Therefore, the elevated concentrations measured in the field blank represent isolated occurrences of contamination and do not affect the interpretation of baseline study results.

One of the five samples collected from the North Saskatchewan River in August 2007 contained an unusually high concentration of total mercury (0.0015 mg/L; see Table A-1, Left-Centre sample). Typically, based on using ultralow sampling and analytical methods, total mercury concentrations are on the order of <0.000005 mg/L in Alberta surface waters, as also found for the other four North Saskatchewan River samples and the Astotin Creek sample. Total mercury concentrations in those samples were below the analytical detection limit of 0.0000006 mg/L. Therefore, the unusually high concentration of mercury measured in one North Saskatchewan River sample is assumed to represent an isolated occurrence of sample contamination in the field or laboratory, and a qualifying note was added to Appendix A, Table A-1.

B.3.2 Duplicate Samples Relative differences in parameter concentrations ranged from 0 to 17% between duplicate samples, for parameters detected at concentrations greater than five times the MDL (see Table B-1). Therefore, within-site variability was rated as low and field sampling precision was rated as high for the August 2007 field sampling program.



Table B-1 Quality Control Data for Water Quality Samples Collected During the August 2, 2007 Field Program

Parameter

Units

Detection Limit

Astotin Creek

Duplicate 1

Astotin Creek

Duplicate 2

Relative Difference

(%)

Field Blank

Conventional Parameters

Colour TCU 5 40 40 0.0% <2

Specific conductivity µS/cm 0.2 1160 1160 0.0% 0.4

Dissolved organic carbon mg/L 1 14 14 0.0% <1

Hardness mg/L 1 398 399 0.3% <1

pH – – 8.4 8.4 0.0% 6

Total alkalinity mg/L 5 139 144 3.6% <5

Total dissolved solids mg/L 1 563 565 0.4% <1

Total organic carbon mg/L 1 15 15 0.0% <1

Total suspended solids mg/L 3 4 4 – <3

Biochemical oxygen demand mg/L 2 4 5 – <2

Major Ions

Bicarbonate mg/L 5 163 168 3.1% <5

Calcium mg/L 0.5 88.4 89.2 0.9% <0.5

Carbonate mg/L 5 <5 <5 – <5

Chloride mg/L 1 241 240 0.4% <1

Magnesium mg/L 0.1 43.1 42.9 0.5% <0.1

Potassium mg/L 0.5 4.7 4.6 2.2% <0.5

Sodium mg/L 1 70 69 1.5% <1

Sulphate mg/L 0.5 32.8 32.6 0.6% <0.5

Sulphide mg/L 0.003 0.005 0.005 – <0.003

Nutrients

Nitrate + nitrite mg/L 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 – <0.1

Nitrogen – ammonia mg/L 0.05 <0.05 <0.05 – <0.05

Nitrogen – Kjeldahl mg/L 0.2 1.1 1.1 0.0% <0.2

Phosphorus – total mg/L 0.001 0.234 0.258 10.3% <0.001

Phosphorus – dissolved mg/L 0.001 0.155 0.156 0.7% <0.001

General Organics

Naphthenic acids mg/L 1 <1 <1 – <1

Total phenolics mg/L 0.001 0.012 0.013 8.3% <0.001

Total recoverable hydrocarbons mg/L 0.5 <0.5 <0.5 – <0.5

Metals (Total)

Aluminum (Al) mg/L 0.01 0.07 0.06 16.7% <0.01

Antimony (Sb) mg/L 0.0004 0.0008 0.0007 – 0.0005

Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.0004 0.003 0.0031 3.3% <0.0004

Barium (Ba) mg/L 0.003 0.132 0.134 1.5% <0.003

Beryllium (Be) mg/L 0.002 <0.002 <0.002 – <0.002



Table B-1 Quality Control Data for Water Quality Samples Collected During the August 2, 2007 Field Program (cont’d)

Parameter

Units

Detection Limit

Astotin Creek

Duplicate 1

Astotin Creek

Duplicate 2

Relative Difference

(%)

Field Blank

Boron (B) mg/L 0.05 <0.05 <0.05 – <0.05

Cadmium (Cd) mg/L 0.001 <0.001 <0.001 – <0.001

Chromium (Cr) mg/L 0.005 0.008 0.008 – <0.005

Cobalt (Co) mg/L 0.002 <0.002 <0.002 – <0.002

Copper (Cu) mg/L 0.001 <0.001 <0.001 – <0.001

Iron (Fe) mg/L 0.005 0.308 0.318 3.3% <0.005

Lead (Pb) mg/L 0.005 <0.005 <0.005 – <0.005

Lithium (Li) mg/L 0.01 0.04 0.03 2.9% <0.01

Manganese (Mn) mg/L 0.001 0.147 0.149 1.4% <0.001

Mercury (Hg) mg/L 0.0000006 <0.0000006 0.0000011 – 0.0000018

Molybdenum (Mo) mg/L 0.005 <0.005 <0.005 – <0.005

Nickel (Ni) mg/L 0.002 0.004 0.004 – <0.002

Selenium (Se) mg/L 0.0004 0.0007 0.0005 – <0.0004

Silver (Ag) mg/L 0.005 <0.005 <0.005 – <0.005

Strontium (Sr) mg/L 0.002 0.439 0.442 0.7% <0.002

Thallium (Tl) mg/L 0.05 <0.05 <0.05 – <0.05

Titanium (Ti) mg/L 0.001 0.003 0.003 – <0.001

Uranium (U) mg/L 0.005 <0.05 <0.05 – <0.05

Vanadium (V) mg/L 0.001 0.003 0.003 – <0.001

Zinc (Zn) mg/L 0.001 0.007 0.007 0.0% 0.006 Metals (Dissolved)

Aluminum (Al) mg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

Antimony (Sb) mg/L 0.0004 0.0005 0.0005 – 0.0005

Arsenic (As) mg/L 0.0004 0.0032 0.0032 0.0% <0.0004

Barium (Ba) mg/L 0.003 0.12 0.121 0.8% <0.003

Beryllium (Be) mg/L 0.001 <0.001 <0.001 – <0.001

Boron (B) mg/L 0.05 <0.05 <0.05 – <0.05

Cadmium (Cd) mg/L 0.001 <0.001 <0.001 – <0.001

Chromium (Cr) mg/L 0.005 0.005 <0.005 – <0.005

Cobalt (Co) mg/L 0.002 <0.002 <0.002 – <0.002

Copper (Cu) mg/L 0.001 <0.001 <0.001 – <0.001

Iron (Fe) mg/L 0.005 0.019 0.021 – <0.005

Lead (Pb) mg/L 0.005 <0.005 <0.005 – <0.005

Lithium (Li) mg/L 0.003 0.034 0.035 2.9% <0.003

Manganese (Mn) mg/L 0.001 0.035 0.035 0.0% 0.001

Mercury (Hg) mg/L 0.0000006 – – – –




Parameter

Units

Detection Limit

Astotin Creek

Duplicate 1

Astotin Creek

Duplicate 2

Relative Difference

(%)

Field Blank

Molybdenum (Mo) mg/L 0.005 <0.005 <0.005 – <0.005

Nickel (Ni) mg/L 0.002 0.004 0.004 – <0.002

Selenium (Se) mg/L 0.0004 <0.0004 0.0004 – <0.0004

Silver (Ag) mg/L 0.005 <0.005 <0.005 – <0.005

Strontium (Sr) mg/L 0.005 0.447 0.46 2.9% <0.005

Thallium (Tl) mg/L 0.05 <0.05 <0.05 – <0.05

Titanium (Ti) mg/L 0.001 <0.001 <0.001 – <0.001

Uranium (U) mg/L 0.05 <0.05 <0.05 – <0.05

Vanadium (V) mg/L 0.001 0.002 0.002 – <0.001

Zinc (Zn) mg/L 0.001 0.004 <0.001 – 0.003

Target PAHs and Alkylated PAHs

Naphthalene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – 0.2 C1 subst'd naphthalenes µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – 0.14 C2 subst'd naphthalenes µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

C3 subst'd naphthalenes µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

C4 subst'd naphthalenes µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

Acenaphthene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

C1 subst'd acenaphthene µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

Acenaphthylene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

Anthracene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

Dibenzo(a,h) anthracene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

Benzo(a)Anthracene / Chrysene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

C1 subst'd benzo(a) anthracene / chrysene µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

C2 subst'd benzo(a) anthracene / chrysene µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

Benzo(a)pyrene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

C1 subst'd benzo(b&k) fluoranthene / benzo(a)pyrene

µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

C2 subst'd benzo(b&k) fluoranthene / benzo(a)pyrene

µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

Benzo(b&k)fluoranthene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

Biphenyl µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

C1 subst'd biphenyl µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

C2 subst'd biphenyl µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

Dibenzothiophene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

C1 subst'd dibenzothiophene µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04





Parameter

Units

Detection Limit

Astotin Creek

Duplicate 1

Astotin Creek

Duplicate 2

Relative Difference

(%)

Field Blank



Fluoranthene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

C1 subst'd fluoranthene / pyrene µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

Fluorene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

C1 subst'd fluorene µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

C2 subst'd fluorene µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04

Indeno(c,d-123)pyrene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

Phenanthrene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

C1 subst'd phenanthrene / anthracene µg/L 0.04 <0.04 <0.04 – <0.04




Pyrene µg/L 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 – <0.01

Volatile organics

Benzene µg/L 0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 – <0.0005

Ethylbenzene µg/L 0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 – <0.0005

Toluene µg/L 0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 – <0.0005

Xylenes µg/L 0.0005 <0.0005 <0.0005 – <0.0005

BTEX µg/L 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 – <0.1

NOTES: – no data or not applicable Bolding indicates exceedance of QC assessment criterion.

B.4 References APHA (American Public Health Association). 1992. Standard Methods for the Examination of Waste and

Wastewater. 18th Edition. American Public Health Association. Washington, D.C.

Environment Canada. 1993. Quality Assurance in Water Quality Monitoring. Ecosystem Sciences and Evaluation Directorate Conservation and Protection. Ottawa, Ontario.

U.S. EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). 1985. National Primary Drinking Water Regulations; Volatile Synthetic Organic Chemicals; Proposed Rule; Recommendations for and Documentation of Biological Values for Use in Risk Assessment. U.S. EPA, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office. Federal Register: 50. EPA/600/6-87/008.



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