The development of a robust methodology for sulphide probe calibration

Description

Environmental monitoring of finfish aquaculture industries in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and British Columbia relies on the measurement of sediment sulphide concentrations to detect adverse environmental impacts from finfish farming over soft-sediment substrates. There are often, however, wide variations in sulphide values taken from samples at the same farm and even among triplicate subsamples taken under the same cage. Much of this variation may be due to the variability in sulphide probe calibrations.

This project aims to develop a methodology for consistent sulphide probe calibration by conducting studies on the parameters that may be contributing to the variability observed in probe calibration. It will also develop an appropriate method of sulphide collection, storage, and transportation aimed at minimizing post-collection changes in sulphide levels, and examine how best to perform sulphide probe calibrations and analysis in the field. The standardization of procedures developed through this project will help to ensure that the use of sulphide probes in environmental monitoring for the Canadian finfish aquaculture industry is as consistent, reliable and accurate as possible.

This project supports the optimal environmental performance objective of the Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP), pertaining to the 2013-14 national ACRDP priority to evaluate the environmental impact of aquaculture on the environment through the increase of the knowledge and understanding of how aquaculture finfish operations interact with the environment.

Program Name

Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP)

Year(s)

2013 - 2014

Ecoregion(s)

National

Principal Investigator(s)

Blythe Chang
Email: Blythe.Chang@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Collaborative Partner(s)

Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA)

Sweeney International Marine Corp. (SIMCORP)