Hydrocarbon-derived compounds (anthropogenic and natural) in water bodies in the Sahtú

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are a geographically widespread group of hydrocarbon chemicals, present in the environment as complex mixtures. During the past 25 years, levels of PACs in some northern ecosystems have been increasing, particularly in water, sediments, and lower trophic level organisms. However, relatively little information is publicly available to evaluate PACs in aquatic systems in the Sahtú Settlement Area. To help fill this knowledge gap, this project has two purposes: (i) to evaluate levels, composition, and potential biological impacts of PACs in water bodies in the Northwest Territories and (ii) to help make associated data more accessible to Indigenous communities, as well as to regulators who make decisions about water permits. Preliminary findings suggest that levels of PACs in the Mackenzie basin are elevated near areas of industrial development, but that the composition of PACs mixtures is relatively homogenous across a broad spatial scale. There is also some indication that particular PACs are elevated in areas with natural hydrocarbon seepage, but these investigations are ongoing. Next steps will include using existing data and sediment cores to evaluate how forest fires and snowpack levels affect PACs in water. Together, these findings will help inform future research and long-term monitoring needs for the Sahtú and the Mackenzie basin.

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Metadata Record Information

File Identifier
1b2c1534-e873-44fa-9b8b-437ebd457ae3 XML
Date Stamp
2022-09-18T20:52:17
Metadata language

eng; CAN
Character set
UTF8
Hierarchy Level
Series
Distributor
  Government of Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada; Science and Technology Branch / Wildlife and Landscape Science
Custodian
  Government of Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada; Science and Technology Branch / Wildlife and Landscape Science - Pauli, Bruce ( Chief, Ecosytem Health Research )
Principal investigator
  Government of Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada; Science and Technology Branch / Wildlife and Landscape Science - Gurney, Kirsty ( Research scientist )
Saskatchewan , S7N 0X4 ,
 

Data identification

Date (Publication)
2022-09-14
Date (Creation)
2022-09-13
Status
On going
Metadata language

eng; CAN
Character set
utf8
Topic category
  • Biota
  • Environment
  • Inland waters
Maintenance and Update Frequency
As needed
Point of contact
  Government of Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada
Fontaine Building 12th floor, 200 Sacré-Coeur Blvd , Gatineau , Quebec , K1A 0H3 ,

Keywords

Government of Canada Core Subject Thesaurus

  • Aquatic ecosystems

  • Applied research

  • Aquatic wildlife

  • Aquatic animals

Business Functions

  • Expand Scientific Knowledge/Develop New Methodologies for Identifying, Monitoring and Managing Hazardous Substances and Waste

  • Assess Environmental Impacts of Projects, Facilities or Disposal of Waste (on a Site)

  • Designate and Manage Priority Habitat

  • Develop Risk Management Strategies for Substances of Concern

  • Assess Toxicity, Manage and Monitor for Environmental Presence of Hazardous Substances and Waste

  • Engagement and Partnership with External Regulators and Governing Bodies

  • Conduct public education / outreach / training on Substances and Waste
 
Use Limitation

Open Government Licence - Canada ( http://open.canada.ca/en/open-government-licence-canada )

Access Constraints
License
Use Constraints
License
Begin Date
2016-06-15

Extent

N
S
E
W
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Ref. system Reference Systems

Reference system identifier
http://www.epsg-registry.org / EPSG:3978 /
 

Distribution

Distribution Formats

Distribution format
  • XLSX ( unknown )

 
Distributor
  Government of Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada
 
 

Overviews

N
S
E
W
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Keywords

Business Functions
Assess Environmental Impacts of Projects, Facilities or Disposal of Waste (on a Site) Assess Toxicity, Manage and Monitor for Environmental Presence of Hazardous Substances and Waste Conduct public education / outreach / training on Substances and Waste Designate and Manage Priority Habitat Develop Risk Management Strategies for Substances of Concern Engagement and Partnership with External Regulators and Governing Bodies Expand Scientific Knowledge/Develop New Methodologies for Identifying, Monitoring and Managing Hazardous Substances and Waste
Government of Canada Core Subject Thesaurus
Applied research Aquatic animals Aquatic ecosystems Aquatic wildlife

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