Water Quality

brownWater

See also asterisked items listed under Fish & Fish Habitat

“Water Quality” refers to physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water, referenced against the needs of organisms that live in it &/or consume it. In an environmental context, we generally consider the highest water quality to be that found in pristine environments. For the waters of the Woodens River system, such water is typically somewhat acidic, nutrient poor, and has a high content of humic acids which colour it brown.

Information on Water Quality

in the Woodens River system

  • HRM Naturally Green: Lakes and Rivers
    Reports of lake water quality over the last several years and other aspects of lake and river management in HRM. Lakes sampled in the Woodens River system include Black Point Lake, Hubley Big Lake, Sheldrake Lake.

Other Pertinent HRM and Provincial Websites and Documents

Other Relevant Documents and Websites

  • Acid Rain
    A set of pages on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.
    Under Effects of Acid Rain pH tolerances are given for trout (5.0 lower limit), bass (5.5), perch (4.5), frogs (4.0), salamanders (5.0), clams (6.0), crayfish 5.5), snails (6.0), mayfly (5.5). (Note that pH tolerances might be somewhat lower or higher for particular populations and sites, however.)

Selected Papers from the Scientific Literature

Acidification of Surface Waters in Nova Scotia

      • Jeziorskil, A. et al. 2014.The jellification of north temperate lakes. Proc. R. Soc. B 282: 20142449. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2014.2449. Based on studies of lakes in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
      • Korosi, J.B. and Smol, J.P. 2012.A comparison of present-day and pre-industrial cladoceran assemblages from softwater Nova Scotia (Canada) lakes with different regional acidification histories. J Paleolimnol (2012) 47:43–54. Abstract
      • Jeziorski, A. et al. 2008. The widespread threat of calcium
        decline in fresh waters
        . Science 322 (5906): 1374-1377. Abstract
      • Clair, T.A. et al. 2007. Freshwater acidification research in Atlantic Canada: a review of results and predictions for the future.Environmental Reviews 15:153-167Abstract
      • Acidification of Organic Waters in Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia
        Water, Air, & Soil Pollution46, Numbers 1-4 (1989) View List of 36 Papers, with Abstracts
      • Kerekes, J., et al. 1986. Organic versus anthropogenic acidity in tributaries of the Kejimkujik watersheds in Western Nova Scotia. Water, Air & Soil Pollution 31(1-2): 165-173 Abstract

Paleolimnological Investigations of Historical Conditions and Trends

      • Jeziorski1, A. et al. 2014.The jellification of north temperate lakes.Proc. R. Soc. B 282: 20142449. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2014.2449. Based on studies of lakes in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
      • Korosi, J.B. and Smol, J.P. 2012.A comparison of present-day and pre-industrial cladoceran assemblages from softwater Nova Scotia (Canada) lakes with different regional acidification histories. J Paleolimnol (2012) 47:43–54. Abstract
      • Ginn, B.K. et al. 2007. Assessing pH changes since pre-industrial times
        in 51 low-alkalinity lakes in Nova Scotia, Canada

        Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 64: 1043-1054
        Abstract
      • Thienpont, J.R. et al. 2008. Assessment of Environmental Changes in Three Lakes from King’s County (Nova Scotia, Canada) Using Diatom-Based Paleolimnological Techniques Water Quality Research Journal of Canada 43(2-3): 85-98. 2008 Full Article WQRJC
      • Lawlor, L.L. 2006. Chironomidae (Order Diptera) as hypolimnetic oxygen indicators in brook trout lakes in Nova Scotia: a paleolimnological investigation. MSc Thesis. Department of Biology, Queen’s University. 100p. Abstract
      • Ginn, P.K. et al. 2009. Ecological distribution of scaled-chrysophyte assemblages
        from the sediments of 54 lakes in Nova Scotia and southern
        New Brunswick, Canada
        . Journal of Paleolimnology 43(2): 293-308. Abstract (There is evidence for more seasonal stratification of lakes, possibly associated with climatic warming.)
      • TEAM – Trends in Eutrophication and Acidification in the Maritimes (Queens University Project):
        List of Publications, Theses, and Conference Presentations

        https://www.queensu.ca/pearl/publications.php

Phosphorus

    • Hupfer, M & Lewandowski, J. 2008. Oxygen controls the phosphorus release from lake sediments –
      a long-lasting paradigm in limnology
      . International Review of Hydrobiology 93 (4-5):415-432.
      Abstract
    • Canada: Playing catch-up on phosphorus policy
      Jessica Zane Rossa and Sidney Omelona
      Article