The following quotes were taken from:
'Review of the Water Quality issue in Port Alberni Harbor
by D. Stucchi, A. Colodey, I. Birthwell, M. Waldichuk, K. Hyatt, W. Knapp.
Produced on November 11th 1990.'

• "We have reviewed the factors affecting water quality in Port Alberni Harbor and its impact on fisheries resources.  We conclude that there has been a progressive deterioration in water quality since the pulp mill has been in operation.   Over this time, dissolved oxygen concentrations have decreased by 10% in the surface layer, and by 60% in the lower, subhalocline layer, despite actions taken by the mill to mitigate for the effects of the BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) and TSS (total suspended solids) discharged.  Although contentious, we concluded that the sediment oxygen demand (SOD) in the harbor has significantly increased owing to the discharge of solids from the pulp mill and log handling activities.  This is of particular concern because SOD plays a prominent role in reducing the dissolved oxygen content of the poorly flushed lower layer."
• "As a result of the review we recommend that immediate steps should be taken to stringently reduce BOD and TSS discharges from the pulp mill."
• "The importance of the SOD (Sediment Oxygen Demand) in the oxygen balance of the lower layer is a contentious point.  SOD measurements taken by the consultant to the pulp mill indicate that it is a minor factor in the lower layer oxygen budget, and leads them to conclude that the DO (Dissolved Oxygen) concentrations in the lower layer are almost totally governed by the flow of sub-halocline waters past Polly Point.  We disagree with these findings for a number of reasons:  non-standard SOD measurement techniques were employed by the consultant; the measured SOD ratios are much lower than those reported in the literature for similar substrates; waters of similar density from outside the harbor have greater oxygen concentration and would therefore be a source of oxygen not a sink.  We are convinced that the very low DO levels observed in the sub-halocline waters are produced inside the harbor, most probably from the elevated SOD created by the discharge of solids from the pulp mill and log booming activities.   However we do not have definite measurements of the rate of oxygen uptake by the sediments, and thus we can only infer the magnitude of this term indirectly from crude budget calculations."
• "It should be noted, that although the rate of recovery is an unknown, the recovery of the lower layer DO levels is anticipated to be a slow process.  In other words, we expect no immediate improvement in the lower layer water quality to result from strict TSS affluent regulations."
• "Fisheries Issues: Effect of low DO on fish.  Low levels of dissolved oxygen affect fish in a wide variety of ways depending on, for example: duration of exposure, state of activity, physiology and health, life cycle stage and species.   Low values (e.g. < 3 PPM) can lead to the rapid death of salmon (in hours), as demonstrated by caged fish studies in Alberni Inlet.  Somewhat higher levels of DO, though not initially lethal, can debilitate the fish and modify their behavior, and also affect their health."
• "Habitat is underutilized in the Somass estuary relative to unpolluted estuaries.  The duration and extent of salmonid use would be greater if DO levels were higher in the estuarine sub-halocline waters.  With the increased requirement of the estuary to support large numbers of fish (increased production of juveniles since 1975/76 study period) living space is a critical issue.  Any reduction in the water quality of surface water will further constrain the living area available for salmonids.   Our objective is to improve water quality and reclaim lost habitat."
• "salmonids. not only fisheries resource.  Although the above discussion focuses attention on the important salmonid resources which are supported by the inlet, it should be recognized that there are many other organisms which live in Alberni Inlet.  A variety of plankton and invertebrates support many kinds of fish including several kinds of sole and a nonmigratory population of Pacific Hake.   Prawns, shrimp and crab have also supported commercial and recreational fishing activities in this area.  However, prawns have apparently failed to exhibit population recoveries in recent years in Alberni Inlet even after relaxation of fishery exploitation rates there.  The relation between prawn population levels, habitat use and DO conditions in the Inlet is not known.  However it is clear that improvement of oxygen conditions within the harbor will benefit many species of fish and shellfish, in addition to salmon."
• "Oceanographic and Effluent Studies.  In order to develop a capability that would enable us to adequately predict the impact on water quality from changes to effluent discharges a number of oceanographic and effluent characterization studies are required.  Not only do we need to accurately characterize the oxygen demanding potential of the effluent in the receiving environment, but we need to identify and understand in a quantitative sense the important processes that influence dissolved oxygen levels in the harbor.  MacMillan Bloedel's oceanographic consultants have made significant progress towards the above objectives, but a number of crucial gaps in our knowledge still exist, new questions have been raised and some findings are contentious.   Consequently we recommend that:

1. direct measurement of SOD rates be made in different sediment type zones identified by the consultant, and at different times of the year.  These measurements will allow a recalculation of the total sediment oxygen demand in Port Alberni Harbor, and a determination of the relative contribution from the mill effluent and log booming areas.   This proposal has been submitted to IOS for funding in FY 91/92.
2. the oxygen demand of the lower layer waters (i.e. water column BOD) be determined, as well as the BOD and TSS input from the Somass River.  These studies could be incorporated in the proposal described in 1.
3. sediment traps be deployed to determine the rate at which solids are accumulating on the harbor bottom, their composition and origin.
4. laboratory tests of oxygen uptake be conducted on "old" wood solids that have been "stabilized" in the harbor and on "fresh" sediments from the biobasin.  This should provide information on the persistence of oxygen uptake by the sediments.
5. DFO participate in and support the development and testing of the UBC numerical fjord circulation models for application in Alberni Inlet.  The development of the dissolved oxygen capability in the numerical model will depend upon results from the research proposed herein, as our ability to model the fjord's water quality will only be as good as our understanding and measurements of the processes that affect water quality.   The validation of the numerical model will entail detailed observations (in time and space) of water properties (temperature, salinity, DO) and currents at a number of locations, because we know that there is a high degree of both temporal and spatial variability.  This research proposal has been submitted for funding in FY 91/92, and it is expected that over the next 2 to 3 years the objectives will be realized.
6. the BOD exertion curve for the affluent be determined in conditions that resemble as closely as possible those of the receiving water of the fjord (i.e. temperature, salinity, dilutions and seed organisms from the fjord).  The standard BOD(5) bioassay is a regulatory test and not suitable for modeling purposes.  Newer more relevant techniques need to be developed to monitor the oxygen demanding potential of the pulp mill's effluent."

• "Fisheries and Biological Studies.  We have speculated above on potential links among behavioral, physiological and population responses of salmon to water quality changes associated with variations in climate (e.g. drought events) and industrial activities (e.g. water regulation and pulp mill effluent discharge).   However, our knowledge of critical interactions among these factors that led to salmon moralities is only rudimentary.  Accordingly, we recommend the following fisheries and biological studies to resolve key gaps in current knowledge:

d)  Initiate studies to define the impact of cumulative stress brought about by prolonged exposure of wild fish to non-optimal combinations of oxygen, temperature, salinity and "pathogens" on spawner vitality and viability.   Studies dealing with this topic should be pursued after studies suggested above provide better definition of the water quality space and time continuum occupied by the adult salmon in Alberni Inlet.

e)  Re-evaluate the inadequacy of water quality at different depths in the inlet to support salmonids. using juvenile Chinook for example.

f)  Examine fish utilization of Alberni Inlet and Somass estuary for comparison with other studies (1975/76)."

• "Integrated Approach to Pollution Problem.  It is becoming increasingly apparent to us that, the sediment oxygen demand in Port Alberni Harbor is a dominant factor contributing to the poor quality there.  The elevated oxygen demand has been created over the years by the deposition and accumulation of organic material from a number of sources, the pulp mill effluent (TSS) and wood solids from log booming activities being the largest.  Thus we recommend that a long term and integrated approach be adopted for the resolution of this problem.  An approach which stringently regulates not just the pulp mill TSS load, but also solids input from the log storage and handling activities in the harbor.  We further recommend that alternate options such as, but not limited to, benthic solids removal and capping be evaluated as a means to increase benthic recovery rate."
• "The necessity of implementing water management procedures to maintain timely passage by migrating adult sockeye salmon is likely to be especially critical in light of their reliance on holding at depths in Alberni Inlet where SOD is a resident and persistent process that will preclude improvement in water quality in the near future even if future releases of TSS are strictly regulated."
• "In order to bring together the varied interests and reconcile conflicting requirements for management of water, forest and fisheries resources, we recommend that a process be initiated to develop a strategy for integration of habitat and fisheries management for the Barkley Sound, Alberni Inlet and Somas River area.  This process should involve federal agencies, the company and of course, the provincial government given their responsibility for water management."