Author: Québec (Province)Publisher:
ISBN: 9780660066684
Category : Aquatic organisms
Languages : en
Pages : 66
Book Description
"The St. Lawrence River is a complex ecosystem whose properties change from its headwaters to its outlet. Opened in 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway allows ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, a distance of more than 3200 km. To ensure safe navigation conditions, roughly 450 000 m3 of sediment are dredged annually in the St. Lawrence. One of the major concerns associated with dredging is the temporary increase in suspended solid (SS) concentrations, which can pose a threat to aquatic life. The surface water quality criteria adopted by the MDDELCC help protect aquatic life from the harmful effects of suspended solids. These quality criteria are used, in particular, to limit SS concentrations in wastewater effluents discharged into the environment. SS management criteria specific to dredging activities have now been identified, taking into account ambient SS concentrations observed in the St. Lawrence and SS concentrations measured in dredging situations"--Abstract, p. vi.