GLEC was contracted to determine the feasibility of restoring a retired pulp and paper mill wastewater treatment lagoon into a sustainable habitat. An ecological survey was conducted to determine the ecological health of the system and to determine if water, sediment, or fish tissue contained bioconcentratable contaminants. All levels of the food chain were sampled from the treatment lagoon and nearby unimpacted lake to determine if the system was functioning as a healthy system. Biota collected included phyto/zooplankton, benthic macroinvertbrates, and fish. Observations were made of the available physical habitat, type and abundance of aquatic vegetation, and other aquatic wildlife (i.e. waterfowl, amphibians, etc.) Water samples were collected and tested for toxicity to Daphnia magna and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). A hydrolab unit was used to measure temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, and conductivity. Fish samples were also collected and analyzed to determine the levels of bioconcentratable compounds. Sediment samples were also collected and analyzed for similar compounds, because this was a suspected source of contamination.
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