Assessing metal mine effects using benthic invertebrates for Canada's environmental effects program

摘要

In Canada, the Metal Mining Effluent Regulation is a mechanism developed from the Fisheries Act(R.S., c. F-14, s.1)under which the effects of mine efflu- ent on fish and fish habitat(i.e., benthic invertebrate communities)is deter- mined by Environmental Effects Monitoring(EEM)studies. The Meal Mining EEM(MM EEM)program proceeds in a tiered manner, commencing with deter- Mining whether an effect is present and continuing with determining extent, Magnitude and cause of the effect. The benthic invertebrate monitoring com- Ponent of the MM EEM program includes consideration of study design ele- Ments such as confounding factors, monitoring frequency, statistical study Design, appropriate community endpoints and standardized approaches to site Descriptions, field and laboratory methods and data interpretation.