Sediment Dynamics and Implications for Sediment-associated Contaminants in the Peace, Athabasca and Slave River Basins
Description:... This report examines the mechanisms of natural riverine sediment production in the Northern River Basins Study area, together with the routine data for suspended sediment in these rivers collected by Water Survey of Canada, as a background for the examination of sediment-associated contaminants in the NRBS area. The treatment of natural sediments is presented in Chapters 2 (study area description), 3 (data analysis), 4 (time trends) and 5 (sources, pathways and fate of sediments). The issue of sediment quality is dealt with in Chapter 6 which examines, in general terms, the contaminants associated with industrial activity in the NRBS area and the degree to which these contaminants are adsorbed onto natural river sediment. With this background information on natural sediments and on industrial contaminants, Chapter 7, the kernel of the report, then examines the interaction between industrial contaminants and natural sediment in the NRBS area, based on previous studies of river water quality and specific projects organized as part of the NRBS investigation. A synthesis of Conclusions is given in Chapter 8. Recommendations for future monitoring and assessment are provided in Chapter 9.
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