A group of scientists is conducting research on mussels in the Grand River in Brantford, Ontario, to gain insights into the impact of various chemicals on the environment. Patty Gillis, a research scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, along with her team based at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington, studies aquatic contaminants. They utilize native freshwater mussels as indicators of water quality, investigating the distribution and effects of contaminants.
Mussels, being stationary creatures that filter water through their gills while buried in sediment, are exposed to contaminants from both the water and riverbed. Gillis explained that analyzing a piece of mussel tissue allows them to quantify exposure to substances like metals or pharmaceuticals that may affect their health negatively.
The team aims to comprehend how individual chemicals and chemical mixtures impact various mussel species by examining their population, assessing stresses they face, and testing their bodies for metals and chemicals. This initiative is part of a pilot project known as the Integrated Chemical Mixtures Project (ICMP), which focuses on studying sites in Brantford and Windsor, Ontario.
Mark Hewitt, a Burlington chemist involved in the ICMP project, emphasized the importance of understanding complex chemical mixtures and their potential effects on the environment and human health. The project’s inception stemmed from the recognition of the right to a healthy environment by the federal government, fostering a team-centered approach to comprehending these impacts.
By comparing their findings with other ICMP teams, Gillis’s team can evaluate the extent of chemical concentrations in mussel tissues. The project also extends to other species like snails, birds, and fish, with researchers in Sarnia investigating impacts near heavy industry, while Brantford serves as a representative site for various Canadian municipalities.
The team carries out extensive research activities, including measuring mussels, analyzing hemolymph and gills for stress levels, and dissecting mussels to study tissue contaminants. They also evaluate environmental factors like river flow and water acidity and analyze samples from the riverbed to identify invertebrates present.
Looking ahead, Gillis plans to deploy mussels upstream and downstream of the wastewater plant and an industrial area for further study on stress levels and chemical accumulation. The team’s ultimate aim is to gather information comprehensively, understand effects, and potentially replicate their studies in other regions across Canada.
