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Use of industrial equipment

The use of mechanical equipment for the purpose of construction, maintenance, and/or transportation and generally any activity where machinery is working on land or in water.

NOTE:

Pathways of Effects diagrams have been developed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada as a tool to communicate potential effects of development proposals on fish and fish habitat and were developed through extensive consultation. It is expected that these diagrams will be updated to describe new activities and stressors as required.

Land-Based and In-Water Activity: Use of industrial equipment

Effects

Potential mortality of fish/eggs/ova from equipment: Direct injury or mortality of fish (eggs, larvae, invertebrates, etc.) from physical disruption from equipment or livestock.

Change in sediment concentrations: Increased erosion of stream bank soils and rocks result in an excess of fragmented organic and inorganic material which is transported by water, wind, ice, and gravity. These sediments, which contain nutrifying elements and can capture or absorb contaminants, are suspended or else settle and collect in waterways affecting physical processes, structural attributes, and ecological conditions such as water clarity (by reducing visibility and sunlight and damaging fish gills) and reducing the availability and quality of spawning/ rearing habitat (through infilling).

Change in contaminant concentrations: An increase in concentrations of toxins and pollutants in sediments and waters can breach the range of chemical parameters that support healthy aquatic communities, seriousy affecting fish and fish habitat. The ecological effects can range from direct fatality to organisims, alteration of the ecosystem structure through changes in the abundance, composition, and diversity of communities and habitats, and persistence and progressive accumulation in sediments or biological tissues (bioaccumulation, biomagnification). Deformities, alterations in growth, reproductive success, and competitive abilities can result.

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