July 14, 2009
Sarnia (Ontario) -- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in collaboration with research partners in Canada and the United States, will begin an experiment in the upper St. Clair River system near Sarnia, Ontario, on July 16, 2009, that will provide scientific information about ballast water flow and dispersal.
As part of the experiment, a red dye (rhodamine WT) routinely used by environmental and health professionals to safely check the integrity of water supply and sewage systems, will be released a maximum of six times during July and August 2009, in the St. Clair River, near the Suncor dock. Several releases will involve the discharge of ballast water from a ship and a few releases will occur from the side of a motor boat. The dye will be visible upon release, but is expected to dissipate quickly due to fast-flowing river water.
The experiment will be monitored by scientists and poses no risk to public health and safety. Anyone in or near the area at the time of release should not be alarmed by the presence of a reddish-pink colour in the water. Members of the public do not need to report these events. Local, municipal, state and provincial agencies, as well as businesses and industries, have been informed about this initiative. Appropriate approvals for this experiment have been obtained by both Canadian and American authorities.
This research project is the result of a partnership between Canadian and American federal agencies and universities, and will provide important information about ballast water treatment standards, help guard against the spread and establishment of new aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes and provide data for hydrodynamic models, which will support decision-making related to drinking water intakes, search and rescue and pollution/spill response in the St. Clair River.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sarah Bailey
Research Scientist
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Principal Researcher
Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN)
(519) 253-3000 ext. 4843
Jennifer Read
Executive Director
Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS)
(734) 769-8898
Communications contact:
Rachelle Smith
Communications Manager
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(204) 983-4197
Christine Manninen
Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) Coordinator / Communications Director
Great Lakes Commission
(734) 971-9135
