Discussion: Seasonal salinity changes in the Fraser River Estuary

1977 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-124
Author(s):  
A. J. Tamburi
Keyword(s):  
River Estuary ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Salinity Changes

Seasonal salinity changes in the Fraser River Estuary

1976 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 342-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter R. B. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Fresh Water ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Water Discharge ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Velocity Shear ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Salinity Changes ◽  
Fresh Water Discharge ◽  
Fresh Surface

The Fraser Estuary in British Columbia is characterized by a salt water wedge, which underlies the fresh surface water. The stage of the tide and the fresh water discharge in the Fraser River are the two primary factors influencing the maximum intrusion of the salt water wedge.A systematic set of measurements are presented, documenting the change in the position of the tip of the salt water wedge as a function of fresh water discharge. Tidal conditions did not affect the measurements, since all measurements were made at times when the stage of the tide was the same. The tip of the salt water wedge is shown to be displaced a distance of 22 km (13.8 mi) seawards, as the fresh water discharge increased from 850 to 9000 m3/s (30 000 to 317 000 ft3/s).Vigorous surface to bottom mixing was observed during large ebb flows. The mixing was sufficiently strong to break up the wedge over a large part of the estuary. A calculation is presented showing that this was due to the existence of a strong velocity shear between the saline bottom water and the fresh water surface flow.

Sources of Chlorophenolic Compounds to the Fraser River Estuary

1988 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Carey ◽  
J. H. Hart
Keyword(s):  
River Flow ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Pulp Mills ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Downstream Site ◽  
Upstream Site ◽  
The North ◽  
Main River

Abstract The identity and concentrations of chlorophenolic compounds in the Fraser River estuary were determined under conditions of high and low river flow at three sites: a site upstream from the trifurcation and at downstream sites for each main river arm. Major chlorophenolics present under both flow regimes were 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,6-TeCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), tetrachloroguaiacol (TeCG) and a compound tentatively identified as 3,4,5-trichloroguaiacol (3,4,5-TCG). Under high flow conditions, concentrations of the guaiacols were higher than any of the Chlorophenols and concentrations of all five chlorophenolics appeared to correlate. Under low flow conditions, concentrations of chloroguaiacols were higher than Chlorophenols at the upstream site and at the downstream site on the Main Arm, whereas at the downstream site on the North Arm, concentrations of 2,3,4,6-TeCP and PCP were higher than the chloroguaiacols in some samples. Overall, the results indicate that pulp mills upstream from the estuary are important sources of chlorophenolics to the estuary under all flow conditions. Additional episodic inputs of 2,3,4,6-TeCP and PCP from lumber mills occur along the North Arm. When these inputs occur, they can cause the concentrations of Chlorophenols in the North Arm to exceed provisional objectives. If chloroguaiacols are included as part of the objective, concentrations of total chlorophenolics in water entering the estuary can approach and exceed these objectives, especially under low flow conditions.

scholarly journals SITE FIDELITY AND LOCAL MOVEMENTS OF MIGRATING WESTERN SANDPIPERS ON THE FRASER RIVER ESTUARY

2002 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT W. BUTLER ◽  
PHILIPPA C. F. SHEPHERD ◽  
MOIRA J. F. LEMON
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Western Sandpipers

Pollution in the Strait of Georgia: a Review

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 1142-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Waldichuk
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Oxygen Depletion ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Pulp Mills ◽  
Strait Of Georgia ◽  
Spring Freshet

The Strait of Georgia, when considered as a whole, is still comparatively free of major pollution problems. Local environmental degradation has taken place, however, in waters on the periphery of the Strait, adjacent to urban communities and industries, such as pulp mills. The Fraser River, which is the major source of freshwater to the Strait, introduces natural and man-made materials that can adversely affect its estuary and the marine environment. The Strait of Georgia is flushed regularly, with deep waters being replaced about annually and waters in the upper layer having a considerably shorter residence time. Buildup of pollutants or their effects, e.g. oxygen depletion, are prevented in this way. However, there is refluxing of surface waters into the deep zone from the mixing region at the southern entrance to the Strait, and this means that surface pollutants such as oil could pollute the deep water and be retained there for up to a year. Problems affecting fisheries have been identified at the Fraser River Estuary arising from discharge of sewage treatment plant effluent. The major problem of pollution affecting fisheries in the Strait of Georgia has been bacteriological contamination from sewage, which has necessitated the closure of shellfish beds. The quality of oysters, as represented by condition factor and flavor, has deteriorated in the vicinity of some pulp mills. Evidence so far indicates that the "critical pollutants," e.g. petroleum hydrocarbons, organochlorines, and metals, which are persistent, toxic, and can be bioaccumulated by marine organisms, are present in low concentrations in the water, sediments, and biota away from the Fraser River Estuary. Wood wastes in the Strait of Georgia create a menace to navigation, especially during the spring freshet of the Fraser River.

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