Distribution and condition of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in the historical goldmining region of Goldboro, Nova Scotia / by Bénédikte Vercaemer, John M. O’Brien, Javier Guijarro-Sabaniel and Melisa C. Wong.: Fs97-6/3513E-PDF
"Nearshore marine construction activities often involve projects conducted directly in or adjacent to eelgrass beds and can have detrimental effects on eelgrass health, through physical destruction of beds, smothering of plants by sediment, and light reduction from turbidity. A liquefied natural gas (LNG) marine terminal is proposed to be constructed near Goldboro in Isaacs Harbour on the Eastern shore of Nova Scotia in an area where sediments are contaminated with heavy metals from historical goldmining operations. We conducted a pre-impact assessment of the eelgrass beds in Isaacs Harbour and in adjacent contaminated and non-contaminated harbours. We used underwater video to precisely map the eelgrass bed in the direct construction footprint in Isaacs Harbour and to identify eelgrass presence or absence in the nearby region. The overall condition of eelgrass plants in the surveyed area fell within the range of healthy plant characteristics (morphometrics and carbohydrates reserves) seen elsewhere along the Atlantic coast. However, a few stations displayed high arsenic and mercury contamination in sediments, which translated in some cases to high contamination in eelgrass rhizomes and leaves. There would be significant risk of impact on benthic habitat and contamination of marine biota from resuspension of sediments during a construction and operation of a ship terminal in Isaacs Harbour. This pre-impact assessment will allow DFO to assess the LNG terminal construction proposal and develop appropriate mitigation and monitoring procedures. Collected data will also be used for habitat-forming species distribution modeling to inform marine spatial and conservation planning"--Abstract, page iv.
Permanent link to this Catalogue record:
publications.gc.ca/pub?id=9.917608&sl=0
| Department/Agency | Canada. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, issuing body. Bedford Institute of Oceanography, issuing body. |
|---|---|
| Title | Distribution and condition of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in the historical goldmining region of Goldboro, Nova Scotia / by Bénédikte Vercaemer, John M. O’Brien, Javier Guijarro-Sabaniel and Melisa C. Wong. |
| Series title | Canadian technical report of fisheries and aquatic sciences, 1488-5379 ; 3513 |
| Publication type | Series - View Master Record |
| Language | [English] |
| Format | Electronic |
| Electronic document | |
| Note(s) | The PDF copy has been replaced (2023-01-18) with an amended version as requested by the publisher. Includes bibliographical references (pages 39-43). Includes abstracts in English and French. |
| Publishing information | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia : Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2022. ©2022 |
| Author / Contributor | Vercaemer, B. (Bénédikte), 1966- author. |
| Description | 1 online resource (v, 67 pages) : illustrations (chiefly colour), colour maps. |
| ISBN | 9780660463797 |
| Catalogue number |
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| Subject terms | Zostera marina -- Nova Scotia -- Geographical distribution. Vegetation surveys -- Nova Scotia. Liquefied natural gas shipping terminals -- Environmental aspects -- Nova Scotia. Zostère marine -- Nouvelle-Écosse -- Distribution géographique. Inventaires de la végétation -- Nouvelle-Écosse. Terminaux de gaz naturel liquéfié -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Nouvelle-Écosse. |
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