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Using a fish-based metric to track remediation and restoration effectiveness in Pickle Ponds and Ponds Behind Erie Pier
Citation:
Gordon, M., G. Ankley, A. Balz, G. Beaubien, J. Hoffman, D. Krabbenhoft, S. Janssen, Jim Lazorchak, T. Luxton, M. Mills, T. Newcomer-Johnson, M. Pearson, G. Peterson, D. White, AND R. Yeardley. Using a fish-based metric to track remediation and restoration effectiveness in Pickle Ponds and Ponds Behind Erie Pier. St. Louis River Summit, Duluth, MN, March 07 - 09, 2022. https://doi.org/10.23645/epacomptox.19379903
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation will cover fish-based metrics to assess remedy and restoration effectiveness, study designs being implemented at the PBEP and Pickle Pond sites, and analytical tools that can be leveraged at contaminated sites.
Description:
In the St. Louis River estuary historical sediment contamination from mercury, dioxins, PCBs, and PAHs, has resulted in several beneficial use impairments (BUIs) including increased incidence of fish consumption advisory, fish tumors and other abnormalities (removed in 2019), and loss of fish and wildlife habitat. As a result of the BUIs, the St. Louis River estuary is currently the second largest area of concern (AOC) in the United States. Remedy and restoration effectiveness research initiatives are working to develop useful metrics to measure both progress and success of AOC projects. Examples of remedy and restoration effectiveness research projects include the Ponds behind Erie Pier (PBEP) and Pickle Ponds, which are small embayments with historical contamination receiving mostly stormwater through hydrological connections on the the Minnesota side and Wisconsin side of the estuary, respectively. PBEP is a priority remediation site due to a wide array of contaminants of concern, including both organic and metal contaminants whereas Pickle Pond is a remediation and restoration site that is both contaminated and ecologically degraded. Both sites are sheltered coastal wetlands of ecological importance, making it a priority for local agencies to improve environmental conditions and ecological health. To measure remedy and restoration effectiveness, it is necessary to document both baseline and reference conditions prior to the start of the project, these data include contaminant bioaccumulation, industrial mercury contribution indices of biotic integrity based on fish, and other indicators. Once PBEP and Pickle Pond undergo cleanup work and if future environmental monitoring indicates environmental status improvements, BUIs can be removed and delisting the St. Louis River estuary as an AOC can begin. This presentation will cover fish-based metrics to assess remedy and restoration effectiveness, study designs being implemented at the PBEP and Pickle Pond sites, and analytical tools that can be leveraged at contaminated sites.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Using a fish-based metric to track remediation and restoration effectiveness in Pickle Ponds and Ponds Behind Erie Pier
USING A FISH BASED METRIC TO MEASURE REMEDY EFFECTIVENESS IN PICKLE PONDS AND PONDS BEHIND ERIE PIER.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 1749.49 KB, about PDF)