Fish populations are making a comeback in the streams surrounding the former tar ponds and coke ovens in Sydney, N.S., and local officials are calling this a promising development following the extensive cleanup of over a century’s worth of industrial waste from Cape Breton’s steel and coal sectors.
The cleanup, which cost $400 million, was carried out by the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency, which has since merged into Nova Scotia Lands and is now managed by Build Nova Scotia, the agency responsible for overseeing the water quality in the streams flowing through these former industrial areas.
Donnie Burke, a senior director at the agency, stated that findings from an independent engineering firm indicate that the remediation efforts are yielding positive results.
“Everything we have observed so far is either stable or showing improvement, which is fantastic news,” he remarked during a recent site visit.
The site of the coke ovens was covered with leftover slag from the previous steel plant, while the infamous tar ponds, located adjacent to the coke ovens and once deemed Canada’s most polluted site, have been sealed with concrete.
The streams of Coke Ovens Brook, Wash Brook, and Muggah Creek have also undergone cleanup, and the surrounding areas have been landscaped to channel surface water into these brooks, while groundwater from the coke ovens area is treated at a facility before being released back into the streams.
One of several well heads is seen on the former coke ovens site, providing access to test for industrial toxins in groundwater. (Tom Ayers/CBC)
Both locations were then topped with soil and grass.
The former tar ponds are now referred to as Open Hearth Park, which features football and soccer fields, a playground, walking trails, and open green spaces.
The coke ovens site is now an open area that is utilized for cricket, walking, and snowmobiling activities during the winter months.
Burke mentioned that water testing indicates the cap over the former tar ponds is not releasing toxins.
The former coke ovens site can occasionally see an increase in heavy metals or industrial chemicals, particularly after significant rainfall, but the monitoring system is designed to detect these changes, allowing for adjustments in the water treatment process, he explained.
The Build Nova Scotia office in Sydney is located in Harbourside Industrial Park on reclaimed land situated between the former coke ovens and tar ponds sites. (Tom Ayers/CBC)
“We do encounter various anomalies,” Burke remarked. “There are fluctuations, but overall, this situation has been stable or improving since the covering was applied.”
Water samples are collected from the brooks and beneath the cap of the former coke ovens via wells distributed throughout the sites.
A recent investigation conducted by Cape Breton University revealed that a small fish species has reappeared in the brooks, and Burke noted that provincial staff have recently spotted trout eggs and fry in Coke Ovens Brook.
“Who would have imagined that trout could thrive here 20 years ago?” he said.
Dr. Katherine Jones, a CBU biologist, says mummichog fish living in the former tar ponds displayed bone and fin abnormalities, but lately, their health has improved. (Tom Ayers/CBC)
Katherine Jones, a biology professor at CBU, conducted research on mummichogs with health issues in the tar ponds prior to the cleanup.
Last year, she oversaw a pilot study by fourth-year student Hannah MacKinnon to assess whether the fish’s health has improved. Jones reported that MacKinnon found the previous health issues had resolved.
“We did not observe fin rot, fin erosion, or bone deformities, indicating that the overall health of these fish appears significantly better compared to before the remediation,” she stated.
‘Trending in the right direction’ — Burke
Jones expressed that further studies are necessary to understand if local fish are still affected by the remediated industrial sites, and she aims to analyze their DNA to determine if they are descendants of the fish that previously inhabited the area or if they have migrated from other locations.
Burke mentioned that the government has pledged to monitor the sites for 25 years following the cleanup, with results being regularly updated on Build Nova Scotia’s website.
With monitoring currently halfway through, he noted, “everything seems to be trending in the right direction.”
MORE TOP STORIES
-
Druhan releases campaign document that could be ‘foundation’ for election platform
-
New N.S. chief medical officer of health named as Dr. Robert Strang to retire
-
Former Halifax Alehouse building recommended for heritage status
-
Nova Scotia university enrolment continues to drop, new statistics show
-
Scam targeting minor hockey teams with fake invite for real tournaments, group warns