Development of subcellular distribution methods to identify indirect or direct effects of metals on aquatic organisms

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In Canada, strict regulations control the composition of discharges from mining and smelting operations into aquatic environments. Mining companies are currently required to conduct environmental effects monitoring (EEM), which involves conducting biological studies in the aquatic environment to assess and monitor effects potentially caused by their effluent. Stantec Consulting Ltd. is engaged in the EEM studies required as part of the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER). Its investigations on various client mining sites, conducted downstream from the mine effluent and in reference areas unaffected by the effluent, have revealed that the aquatic communities in the receiving environment often differ from the communities present at the reference sites. Our proposed study is designed to provide a tool to determine if the observed effects are in fact due to waterborne/diet-borne metal exposure or rather to habitat differences.