FRASER RIVER AT MARGUERITE (BC08MC0001)
British Columbia and Canada operate a network of water quality monitoring stations that measure concentrations of specific parameters in river water. These include metals, major ions, nutrients, physical properties and bacteria. Data was evaluated for trends between 2005 and 2014.
Station Summary of Trends in Water Quality (2005-2014)
A total of 25 parameters were analysed at this station. One parameter shows a decreasing trend and there were two parameters with increasing trends. The graph below shows the direction and size of the trend for each parameter.
Estimated Annual Percent Trend is expressed as percent of the median of the first two years of data and it is only shown for significant trends with sufficient data. If more than five percent of values are below the laboratory detection limit then the graph shows “Not enough data to estimate trend size”.
Trend categories are based on statistical significance (p-value < 0.1) and the direction of the trend.
- Increasing Trend: the trend is significantly different from zero with an increasing trend.
- No evidence of trend: there is not enough evidence to conclude if an increasing or decreasing trend is present.
- Decreasing Trend: the trend is significantly different from zero with a declining trend.
| Group | Parameter | Range | No. years | n | %BDL | min | mean | median | max | Slope | %Slope | pval | dir | Trend Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | Dissolved Organic Carbon (mg/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 101 | 0.0 | 1.10 | 4.57 | 4.00 | 10.80 | -0.022 | -0.6 | 0.687 | ↔ | No evidence of trend |
| General Variables | Specific Conductance (uS/cm) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 101 | 0.0 | 108.0 | 149.3 | 140.0 | 307.0 | -0.00 | 0.0 | 0.891 | ↔ | No evidence of trend |
| Turbidity (NTU) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 101 | 0.0 | 2.74 | 45.53 | 22.00 | 317.00 | 1.161 | 6.1 | 0.141 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Major Ions & Other Inorganics | Chloride (mg/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 101 | 3.0 | <0.50 | 1.80 | 1.50 | 11.00 | 0.062 | 6.2 | 0.018 | ↑ | Increasing trend |
| Hardness (mg/L as CaCO3) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 101 | 0.0 | 48.60 | 70.15 | 68.20 | 129.00 | -0.704 | -1.0 | 0.068 | ↓ | Decreasing trend | |
| Metals-Total | Total Aluminum (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 70.8 | 1625.8 | 648.5 | 18500.0 | -6.46 | -0.8 | 0.732 | ↔ | No evidence of trend |
| Total Antimony (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 0.032 | 0.073 | 0.057 | 0.361 | 0.0009 | 1.8 | 0.271 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Arsenic (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 0.30 | 0.80 | 0.54 | 3.81 | 0.010 | 2.0 | 0.153 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Barium (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 16.5 | 36.8 | 24.0 | 206.0 | 0.28 | 1.3 | 0.231 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Beryllium (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 0.004 | 0.054 | 0.022 | 0.444 | 0.0004 | 1.8 | 0.521 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Boron (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 3.9 | <0.5 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 8.2 | -0.04 | -1.5 | 0.341 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Cadmium (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 0.015 | 0.057 | 0.030 | 0.387 | 0.0006 | 2.5 | 0.187 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Chromium (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 0.360 | 3.529 | 1.525 | 36.500 | 0.0105 | 0.8 | 0.764 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Cobalt (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 0.084 | 1.614 | 0.649 | 13.500 | 0.0225 | 3.9 | 0.163 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Copper (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 0.87 | 4.93 | 2.79 | 36.80 | 0.084 | 2.9 | 0.110 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Iron (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 179.0 | 2639.4 | 1100.0 | 24500.0 | 10.11 | 1.0 | 0.790 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Lead (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 0.082 | 1.212 | 0.608 | 10.800 | 0.0283 | 6.6 | 0.149 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Manganese (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 11.30 | 90.66 | 41.75 | 707.00 | 1.448 | 4.0 | 0.174 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Molybdenum (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 0.29 | 0.64 | 0.59 | 1.14 | 0.006 | 1.1 | 0.395 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Nickel (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 0.75 | 5.75 | 2.78 | 44.30 | 0.073 | 3.3 | 0.248 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Selenium (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 2.0 | <0.05 | 0.10 | 0.08 | 0.68 | 0.000 | 0.0 | 0.513 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Silver (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 2.9 | <0.001 | 0.020 | 0.010 | 0.133 | 0.0000 | 0.0 | 0.938 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Thallium (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 101 | 0.0 | 0.001 | 0.019 | 0.012 | 0.124 | 0.0003 | 4.8 | 0.165 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Uranium (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 102 | 0.0 | 0.212 | 0.345 | 0.307 | 0.960 | 0.0039 | 1.4 | 0.137 | ↔ | No evidence of trend | |
| Total Zinc (ug/L) | 2005-2014 | 10 | 100 | 0.0 | 1.23 | 8.76 | 5.09 | 64.90 | 0.104 | 3.3 | 0.082 | ↑ | Increasing trend | |
| Note: | ||||||||||||||
| No. years = number of years, min = minimum, max = maximum, n = number of samples, BDL = below (highest) detection limit, pval = p-value of trend test | ||||||||||||||
| Slope = slope in units/year, %Slope = slope expressed as a percent of the median of the first two years | ||||||||||||||
| ++ = upward trend, not enough data to estimate trend size (%BDL > 5%) | ||||||||||||||
| –– = downward trend, not enough data to estimate trend size (%BDL > 5%) | ||||||||||||||
| ** = no evidence of trend, not enough data to estimate trend size (%BDL > 5%) | ||||||||||||||
| The test for trend was performed using Seasonal Kendall test with a 90% confidence level (alpha = 0.1) |
Water Quality Trends by Parameter (2005-2014)
- Click on a tab below to explore trends for individual parameters for the 2005-2014 period.
- Note that trends are now expressed as concentration per year.
Carbon
Dissolved Organic Carbon
Long-term Chronic: median DOC within 20% of background median
Dissolved organic carbon is a measure of the natural organic matter dissolved in the water. Natural organic matter is typically from plant litter, microbial biomass and soil humus. Human sources of dissolved organic carbon include municipal wastewater, septic systems, agricultural runoff and industrial discharges (Health Canada, 2019). Organic carbon has the ability to bind to some fractions of metals thereby reducing their toxicity (CCME, 2003).
General
Specific Conductance
Specific Conductance is the measure of waters ability to conduct electricity at a specific temperature. Water conducts electricity because of the salts that have dissolved in it. In the natural environment, water bodies tend to have a relatively constant range of conductivity. However, human activity can increase the amount of dissolved salts in the water resulting in decreased health of aquatic ecosystems (USEPA, 2016).
Turbidity
Long-term Chronic: Dependent on turbidity range
Short-term Acute: Dependent on turbidity range
Turbidity is a measure of the lack of clarity in water. Clay, silt, organic and inorganic matter, plankton and microorganisms can all cause water to be turbid. In aquatic ecosystems, high turbidity can affect light penetration through the water, reducing plant growth, and smothering benthic habitats (BC ENV, 1997).
Major Ions & Other Inorganics
Chloride
Long-term Chronic: 150 mg/L (upper limit)
Short-term Acute: 600 mg/L (upper limit)
Chloride is widely distributed in nature; mostly in the form of sodium and potassium salts. The greatest amount of chloride is found in oceans. Chloride is an essential element for aquatic life; however, it is detrimental to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. The application of road salt is the primary source of chloride to the environment in BC (Nagpal, 2003).
Hardness
Hardness is the amount of ions in the water - primarily calcium and magnesium ions. Natural sources of hardness are sedimentary rocks and runoff from soils. While hardness does not directly affect aquatic life, it influences the toxicity of many metals and some ions. Certain metals and ions such as lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel and sulphate become more toxic at lower concentrations of water hardness. (CCME, 2003)
Metals-Total
Aluminum
Long-term Chronic: Guideline is for dissolved Aluminum
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Antimony
Long-term Chronic: 9 ug/L (upper limit)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Arsenic
Short-term Acute: 5 ug/L (upper limit)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Barium
Long-term Chronic: 1000 ug/L (upper limit)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Beryllium
Long-term Chronic: 0.13 ug/L (upper limit)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Boron
Long-term Chronic: 1200 ug/L (upper limit)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Cadmium
Long-term Chronic: Guideline is for dissolved Cadmium
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Chromium
Long-term Chronic: 8.9 ug/L (upper limit)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Cobalt
Long-term Chronic: 4 ug/L (upper limit)
Short-term Acute: 110 ug/L (upper limit)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Copper
Long-term Chronic: Guideline is for dissolved Copper
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Iron
Short-term Acute: 1000 ug/L (upper limit)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Lead
Long-term Chronic: Dependent on hardness
Short-term Acute: Dependent on hardness
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Manganese
Long-term Chronic: Dependent on hardness
Short-term Acute: Dependent on hardness
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Molybdenum
Long-term Chronic: 1000 ug/L (upper limit)
Short-term Acute: 2000 ug/L (upper limit)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Nickel
Long-term Chronic: Dependent on hardness
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Selenium
Long-term Chronic: 2 ug/L (upper limit, with alert at 1 ug/L)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Silver
Long-term Chronic: Dependent on hardness
Short-term Acute: Dependent on hardness
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Thallium
Long-term Chronic: 0.8 ug/L (upper limit)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Uranium
Long-term Chronic: 8.5 ug/L (upper limit)
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
Zinc
Long-term Chronic: Dependent on hardness
Short-term Acute: Dependent on hardness
Metals occur naturally in the environment, leaching into water from rocks and soil. Living organisms need varying amounts of metals such as iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc to survive. However, these metals and others become toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations. Other sources of metals in water include wastewater, mining and industrial activity. The toxicity and bioavailability of many metals depends on their oxidation state and form. Generally, dissolved metals are more bioavailable than metals bound to sediment or in complexes with other molecules (CCME, 2003).
End of individual parameter tabs
The graph above displays the concentrations for a single water quality parameter over time (2005-2014). We used a single concentration value from each month to analyse for trends. Raw data for the station is here.
We collect water samples from the river and send them to a laboratory to be analysed for specific water quality parameters. The solid circles ( ● ) on the graph represent concentration values above the laboratory detection limit. The detection limit is the lowest concentration that the laboratory can report for a given parameter. The value of an open circle ( ○ ) on the graph is not the true concentration of a parameter in the water but half of the detection limit because the actual concentration is below what the laboratory can measure. We call this a “value too low to detect”. The detection limit can change over time as laboratories improve their instruments or methods leading to multiple detection limits for a single parameter in the dataset. In this case, the “value too low to detect” will be graphed as half of the highest detection limit.
The estimated trend is shown as a straight orange line. The slope estimate may be unreliable if there are too many values in the dataset below the detection limit. We only show a trend line if the trend is statistically significant and the dataset has less than 5% of values below the highest detection limit.
The trend box above the graph shows the direction and slope of the trend in concentration units per year. If the box says “no evidence of trend” this means that there is not enough evidence to determine if there is an increasing or decreasing trend; it does not mean that there is “no trend”. We estimate the slope of the trend using a separate step so it is possible for a trend to be increasing/decreasing and have a slope estimate of zero.
The box above the graph shows the direction and slope of the trend in concentration units per year. The slope of the trend is estimated using a different analysis so it is possible for a trend to be classified as increasing/decreasing and have a slope estimate of zero. The graph may also show “no evidence of trend”. This means that there is not enough evidence to determine if there is an increasing or decreasing trend; it does not mean that there is “no trend.
B.C. has developed guidelines to protect water quality. The guideline value for the protection of aquatic life is beside the trend box. Although a trend is statistically significant, it may not be of environmental concern. The Guideline provides a point of reference and helps determine if a trend may be a risk to fish and other aquatic life.
References and Other Useful Links
- The methods used to calculate the water quality trends are available upon request.
- List of water quality parameter descriptions .
- Visit the More Information webpage.
- Access the B.C. water quality guidelines or use the online application to look-up specific B.C. water quality guidelines for various uses.
For more information about the Canada-B.C. Water Quality Monitoring Program email the water quality scientists at msqeoperationswqmoperations@ec.gc.ca .
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