Identifying and Mitigating Hot Spots of Salmon Exposure to Toxic Road Runoff in Metro Vancouver
Recent research has revealed that N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine-quinone (6PPD-quinone), a transformation product of the rubber antiozonant 6PPD, which is present at high levels in car tires, is acutely toxic to several species of salmonids. In particular, 6PPD-quinone has been linked to mass mortality events for Coho salmon in streams heavily impacted by road runoff.
Our project, Salmonid Toxic Runoff Exposure and Mitigation (STREAM), investigates the transport and fate of 6PPD-quinone and other toxic road runoff compounds (TRRCs) to water courses used by salmonids, its impacts, and potential mitigation measures to reduce levels in streams. Our objectives are to:
1) Identify hot spots of salmon exposure to TRRCs,
2) Assess the removal of TRRCs from stormwater by green infrastructure (GI), and
3) Improve the design of green infrastructure for TRRC removal.
With DFO and our other partners we are conducting an extensive field survey of 6PPD-quinone concentrations in salmonid-bearing streams across the Vancouver, a large urban area with significant populations of salmon impacted by road runoff.
We will also assess the efficacy of stormwater retention ponds in reducing loadings of TRRCs to receiving bodies, revealing preliminary information on whether they act as secondary sources of 6PPD-quinone to streams. Finally, we will suggest design, operation, and management interventions to improve the ability of GI systems to reduce loadings of TRRCs to salmon-bearing streams while maintaining their ability to meet water-quantity objectives. Together, the results of our project will help storm water managers, urban planners, and engaged community members to protect salmonids across the Metro Vancouver area and beyond.
Contacts:-
Principal Investigator:- Rachel Scholes rachel.scholes@ubc.ca
Post Doc:- Tim Rogers Tim.Rodgers@ubc.ca
Research Manager:- Simon Drew sdrew02@mail.ubc.ca
Scholes Lab @ UBC
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Scholes Lab @ UBC 