Current Research Projects                                             

Effective Management Practices at St Lawrence River Beaches (funded by the
Ontario Trillium Foundation, the RBC Blue Water Project)

The River Institute is working with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, the Raisin Region Conservation Authority, and the St. Lawrence Parks Commission to improve current practices to assess and manage health risks at public beaches.  Sampling and data analysis
will determine the sources, management practices, and site characteristics that are related to fecal contamination at selected recreational bathing areas along the St. Lawrence River in Eastern Ontario.  A predictive model will be created and
management practices will be established to manage the sources of contamination and ultimately reduce beach posting rates.  The project will provide tools and guidelines that will enable the Health Unit and the beach managers to change current practices and become proactive managers of beach health.

In the St. Lawrence River, mercury concentrations in predator fish remain elevated, despite controls on industrial sources at Cornwall.  For this project, water, sediments, amphipods, and fish are analysed for mercury content, and stable isotopes are utilized as indicators of energy source and food web position. Initial results show that mercury levels in the sediments of the north shore of the St. Lawrence are elevated compared to the south shore, with the highest sediment concentrations found at Cornwall or immediately downstream.

Tributary sources of mercury

Lake St. Francis tributaries (i.e. Finney, Fraser, Gunn, Pattingale, Raisin, Sutherland, Westley and Wood) sampled for mercury discharge into the St. Lawrence River showed mercury levels 2-8 times higher than in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, with the Raisin, Sutherland and Fraser tributaries providing approximately 85% of the total mercury loadings into the St. Lawrence.  Estimates show that small yellow perch residing in the tributaries can accumulate methylmercury at levels that reach or exceed the provincial consumption guidelines for sensitive populations.  The high mercury levels in tributaries also contribute to elevated levels in larger predator fish that feed in the tributaries or at tributary mouths.

Microbial remediation of contaminated soil (in partnership with Lafleche LeBlanc Soil Recycling Inc.)

River Institute microbiologists are working under contract to evaluate several methods for determining the microbial activity of contaminant-composting bacteria in the soil decontamination process.  The goal of the project is to optimize the use of degrader bacteria for different soil types and different contaminants.

Status of Fish Contaminants in the Bay of Quinte (partnership with the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan)

The River Institute is working with the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan Restoration Council to develop criteria for delisting the Bay of Quinte Area of Concern.  The delisting criterion involves a fish sampling strategy near the historical sources of contamination and a long-term monitoring protocol.  

SOURCE WATER PROTECTION

Nutrient Loading and Algae

Nutrient outflow from tributaries is linked to an increased incidence of toxic and filamentous algae in nearshore areas. This algae can cause related effects such as depleted oxygen, toxicity, or taste and odour.  The River Institute has collaborated with partners on a water quality survey to assess nutrients and associated algal biomass in nearshore areas of 10 tributary outlets in Lake St. Francis.  The results will be used to develop a tributary monitoring program for our region similar to those applied in other locations of the Great Lakes.

Wastewater affluent and Muskellunge  

The Muskellunge population in Ontario is in decline.  In the Montreal region of the St. Lawrence River, there are three known populations of muskie, one of which is located at the sewage affluent release point for the city of Montreal.  Researchers from the Centre St. Laurent, Suny College at Potsdam, New York, and the River Institute are working together to identify the components of sewage water and determine whether the chemicals are entering the food chain.  

Environmental Change

Impacts of Flow Perturbation on Riverine Food Webs

The International Joint Commission is the governing body that regulates flow rates in the St. Lawrence River and provides direction to hydroelectric generating stations like the R.H. Saunders power dam in Cornwall.  Changes to natural flow regimes in rivers can impact the structure of the food web.  Dr. Jerome Marty is working on a project to measure the biological responses caused by changes to natural flow regimes in rivers.  By relating flow activity to the stable isotope composition of organisms (i.e. aquatic plants, invertebrates and fish) he can determine the effect of flow perturbations on the length of the food web and on the source of carbon fueling the food web.  Results of this work will be used to identify a threshold for hydro peaking activities in order to minimize effects on the food web.

Invasive species - Hemimysis anomala

Hemimysis anomala, the Bloody Red Shrimp, is a new species in North America, and one of the most aggressive invaders of freshwater systems.  Since 2006, the known distribution of Hemimysis anomala has greatly expanded in the Great Lakes ecosystem, with 45 sites of occurrence in four of the Great Lakes and the upper St. Lawrence River. Dr. Jerome Marty is working with collaborative partners to determine the impacts of Hemimysis on the food web in the Great Lakes/ St. Lawrence basin.  

Biodiversity

Cutlip Minnow

Cutlip Minnow (Exoglossum maxillingua) is a threatened species that has been identified in the Cornwall Lake St. Francis area.  River Institute biologists have conducted fish surveys to determine the existence of Cutlip minnows between Cornwall/Lake St. Francis and Ivy Lea.  The minnows have been identified in three of the historic locations, and two new sites have been located in the Cornwall area.  The surveys indicate that although this species is maintaining itself in the region, it is not very abundant in numbers. Future work will examine breeding biology to better understand population trends.

Northern Map Turtle     

The Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) is a Species of Concern that is heavily impacted by human activities.  Map Turtles are highly aquatic and spend time in bays and littoral zones of large lakes and rivers - this makes them especially susceptible to boat strikes.  The River Institute has built and deployed 10 turtle basking structures at or near sites where map turtles were previously located to assess the population status.  Movement and behaviour will be tracked using radio-telemetry, and boat strike injuries will be compared to existing data from other locations. If necessary, an education strategy will be developed to reduce the impact of boats on Map Turtles.      

Fish behaviour and Radio tracking

Under the supervision of Dr. Brian Hickey, fish radiotracking is integrated into many of the River Institute's research projects.  Radiotransmitters, are used to track and characterize the movement, feeding patterns, and habitats of predator fish such as pike and walleye. This information provides useful data on food web dynamics, biodiversity, and fish behaviour.  It also provides an exciting hands-on experience for school-age students during fish workshops and sampling expeditions.

Bats

The recent outbreak of White Nose Syndrome in bats is under investigation by researchers from The Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre at the University of Guelph.  Dr. Hickey is helping to guide scientists through caves in Eastern Ontario to determine whether the disease has reached Ontario.

If you require information about one of the these projects, please contact the River Institute at 613-936-6620 or
email info{@}riverinstitute.ca