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Baie des Chaleurs, New Brunswick, hosts a number of pollution sources which have historically adversely affected marine organisms (i.e. closure of the lobster fishery ca. 1980). A number of seasonally influenced physical processes disperse metals, suspended particulate, and other forms of airborne and aqueous effluent in the vicinity of the study area (Figure 1 and 2). The Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) has undertaken a project known as MITE (Metals in the Environment) to assess the magnitude of anthropogenic pollution related to natural sources (skarns, mineralized bedrock, etc.). This project involves similar goals with foraminifera utilized as tools to measure the impact of metals, both from anthropogenic sources (Belledune Harbour – Core 41) and natural sources (outer estuary – Core 22). It is possible, with the metal data already available (GSC), to determine time lines and hence the chronology of biostratigraphic events. Previous work in the area has outlined a framework for comparison between impacted and non-impacted sites. Species found in this study indicate a range of environmental conditions (e.g. Ammotium cassis – indicator of high suspended particulate). Some indigenous species (e.g. Eggerella advena and Elphidium exc. f. clavatum) can withstand polluted zones while others are more sensitive to change. Others (e.g. Miliammina fusca, Ammobaculites dilatatus) are possibly products of anthropogenic activity including elevated pollution and unknown ocean dumping sites. The effect of metals on foraminifera can only be analyzed on a qualitative basis due to other factors which may effect distribution (organic matter, suspended particulate, salinity and temperature variations, etc.). Concerning elevated metals in Belledune Harbour (1966-Present), increased deformities are observed in several species, most notably, Eggerella advena. The effect of natural levels of metals in the region is minimal and deformations are extremely sporadic and isolated (outer estuary – Core 22). With decreased metals in the Belledune Harbour system (Noranda remediation ca. 1988), deformations decrease as diversity and speciation increase.

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Supervisors: David Scott