Temporal trends in aluminum smelter-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in outmigrant juvenile Chinook salmon from Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

Aluminum smelter-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in outmigrant juvenile Chinook salmon were evaluated in Kitimat Arm, British Columbia, Canada from 2000 to 2004, and in 2015. Decades of continual smelter operations by Rio Tinto resulted in PAH contamination of marine sediments at levels associated with adverse effects in juvenile salmon. Recently, smelter operations have undergone process changes to reduce PAH input to the environment. The PAH concentrations in juvenile Chinook salmon observed in 2000 to 2004, at sites nearest the smelter were comparable to salmon in other urban areas where reduced disease resistance was observed; the levels were lower in 2015 than 2000–2004 suggesting that the recent process changes were effective. Further, these data establish a benchmark for assessing any future changes affecting PAH input and the potential risks to the receiving environment.