Effects of industrial effluent on wetland macroinvertebrate community structures near a wastewater treatment facility. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quanz, Meaghan E.; Walker, Tony R.; Oakes, Ken; Willis, Rob
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 127(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Biotic indices -- Macroinvertebrates -- Industrial effluent -- Wetland monitoring and assessment; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107709
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Wetlands by a wastewater treatment facility were exposed to effluent from 1967 to 2020. Macroinvertebrate communities were examined to assess impacts from effluent inputs. Sampling followed Environment and Climate Change Canada's new monitoring protocol. Wetlands near site were not significantly different compared to reference sites. Communities near the facility were relatively unimpacted by past effluent inputs. Abstract: Macroinvertebrate communities and environmental variables were examined in wetlands near an industrial wastewater treatment facility to assess impacts from exposure to historical effluents. Baseline wetland assessments were required prior to cleanup of contaminated sediments at the facility. The study included wetlands historically exposed to direct effluent discharge, wetlands exposed to current effluent discharge (at the time of sampling), and reference wetlands. Wetlands were sampled in June, July, and September 2018 using a new macroinvertebrate community monitoring protocol ("Wetland CABIN") developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Macroinvertebrates were counted and identified to Family level. Data were qualitatively analyzed using pie charts and nonmetric multidimensional scaling, as well as quantitatively with the Shannon-Weiner diversity index, the Berger-Parker index and using pollution sensitivity values. Correlations using Spearman rho were also calculated between indices and measured environmental variables. Wetlands near the treatment facility were not significantly different compared to reference sites. Macroinvertebrate communities near the treatment facility appeared to be relatively unimpacted by historical effluent inputs. The Wetland CABIN protocol may be a useful monitoring tool for assessing wetland macroinvertebrate community structure because it allows for standardized approaches to be used to compare temporal changes at contaminated sites or spatially between sites.