The latest study results will help us chart a path to final site development.
We have received the results of some recent environmental studies we’ve been conducting at the sanctuary site in Nova Scotia. The last of these studies, an Environmental Site Assessment III (ESA III), was completed in July, when a team of divers took samples of soil from the seabed so that we could send them for laboratory analysis.
The ESA series is important because it relates to historical gold mining that took place across Nova Scotia from the 1880s through the 1930s. We understood, when we selected Port Hilford Bay as our location-of-choice for a whale sanctuary in North America, that there were remnants of gold mine tailings on the 30 acres of sanctuary lands. This meant we needed to study soil and water samples to see what mitigation measures might be necessary regarding heavy metals – specifically mercury and arsenic – that are routinely found in those tailings.
Prior to the ESA III study of submerged soils, we had already studied sanctuary lands along the shore, and we had tested samples of water, both in the ocean and in the freshwater streams around the bay. Here is what we’ve learned from all of this work:
Sanctuary waters: The water column – meaning all water throughout the bay – is clean and has no detected contaminants. Laboratory analyses have shown no traces of any heavy metals or other contamination.
Sanctuary lands onshore: Samples taken by our consultants have found no concerning level of mercury. There is an area around an old stamp mill on land that has levels of arsenic that will require us to cap any areas that are likely to be disturbed by construction.
Submerged soils in the seabed: Laboratory analyses found levels of arsenic sequestered in the soils, but no concerning levels of mercury.
The concern about submerged soils is whether people or whales would be potentially harmed by the presence of the level of arsenic in the submerged soil, primarily through ingesting invertebrates that inhabit the ocean floor. So, we conducted studies for three species of invertebrates: clams, mussels and rock crabs. We did not find clams in any areas of Port Hilford Bay where whales could contact them. Mussels tested acceptable for human consumption. Levels of arsenic in rock crabs tested above Nova Scotia guidelines for human consumption. So, we are continuing to research how this may apply to whales since different species of mammals metabolize minerals in different ways.
Next steps: We are engaging a Site Professional to develop our site plan, including any mitigation. On sanctuary lands, recommended mitigation procedure will be to cap any area that may be disturbed by construction work for buildings, parking, etc. with a layer of soil, gravel or paving. Regarding submerged soils and the possibility of whales ingesting an animal that has elevated levels of any metal of concern, we will be engaging toxicologists to investigate whether there is any risk that the whales could ingest a level that could be harmful and if so, what mitigation may be needed in submerged soil.
We’ll continue to update you as we finalize plans for any required mitigation work and as we press ahead toward final site development.
# # #