Aquatic Biomonitoring at Red Dog Mine, 2015

143 Pages·2016·5.72 MB·English

Technical Report No. 16-01

Aquatic Biomonitoring at Red Dog Mine, 2015
Alaska Pollution Discharge Elimination System
Permit No. AK00038652 (Modification #1)

by Alvin G. Ott, Heather L. Scannell, and Parker T. Bradley

North Fork Red Dog Creek Fyke Net, June 2015
Photograph by Parker T. Bradley

March 2016

Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Division of Habitat
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and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
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facility please write:
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Arlington, VA 22203
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NW MS 5230, Washington DC 20240
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For information on alternative formats and questions on this publication, please
contact the following:
●ADF&G, Division of Habitat, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701
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Aquatic Biomonitoring at Red Dog Mine, 2015
Alaska Pollution Discharge Elimination System
Permit No. AK00038652 (Modification #1)

Technical Report No. 16-01

By

Alvin G. Ott, Parker T. Bradley, and Heather L. Scannell

David E. Rogers
Director
Division of Habitat
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Symbols and Abbreviations
The following symbols and abbreviations, and others approved for the Système International d'Unités (SI),
are used without definition in reports by the Divisions of Habitat, Sport Fish and of Commercial Fisheries.
All others, including deviations from definitions listed below, are noted in the text at first mention, as well
as in the titles or footnotes of tables, and in figure or figure captions.
Weights and measures (metric) General Measures (fisheries)
centimeter cm Alaska Administrative fork length FL
deciliter dL Code AAC mideye-to-fork MEF
gram g all commonly accepted mideye-to-tail-fork METF
hectare ha abbreviations e.g., Mr., Mrs., standard length SL
kilogram kg AM, PM, etc. total length TL
kilometer km all commonly accepted
liter L professional titles e.g., Dr., Ph.D., Mathematics, statistics
meter m R.N., etc. all standard mathematical
milliliter mL at @ signs, symbols and
millimeter mm compass directions: abbreviations
east E alternate hypothesis HA
Weights and measures (English) north N base of natural logarithm e
cubic feet per second ft3/s south S catch per unit effort CPUE
foot ft west W coefficient of variation CV
gallon gal copyright  common test statistics (F, t, χ2, etc.)
inch in corporate suffixes: confidence interval CI
mile mi Company Co. correlation coefficient
nautical mile nmi Corporation Corp. (multiple) R
ounce oz Incorporated Inc. correlation coefficient
pound lb Limited Ltd. (simple) r
quart qt District of Columbia D.C. covariance cov
yard yd et alii (and others) et al. degree (angular ) °
et cetera (and so forth) etc. degrees of freedom df
Time and temperature exempli gratia expected value E
day d (for example) e.g. greater than >
degrees Celsius °C Federal Information greater than or equal to ≥
degrees Fahrenheit °F Code FIC harvest per unit effort HPUE
degrees kelvin K id est (that is) i.e. less than <
hour h latitude or longitude lat. or long. less than or equal to ≤
minute min monetary symbols logarithm (natural) ln
second s (U.S.) $, ¢ logarithm (base 10) log
months (tables and logarithm (specify base) log2, etc.
Physics and chemistry figures): first three minute (angular) '
all atomic symbols letters Jan,...,Dec not significant NS
alternating current AC registered trademark  null hypothesis HO
ampere A trademark  percent %
calorie cal United States probability P
direct current DC (adjective) U.S. probability of a type I error
hertz Hz United States of (rejection of the null
horsepower hp America (noun) USA hypothesis when true) α
hydrogen ion activity pH U.S.C. United States probability of a type II error
(negative log of) Code (acceptance of the null
parts per million ppm U.S. state use two-letter hypothesis when false) β
parts per thousand ppt, abbreviations second (angular) "
(e.g., AK, WA)
‰ standard deviation SD
volts V standard error SE
watts W variance
population Var
sample var
Table of Contents

Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. i
List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... ii
List of Figures .................................................................................................................... iii
Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................................v
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................... vi
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1
Structure of Report ...............................................................................................................5
Location of Sample Sites .....................................................................................................5
Description of Streams .........................................................................................................7
Methods ..........................................................................................................................8
Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................9
Water Quality .................................................................................................................. 9
Periphyton Standing Crop ............................................................................................. 21
Aquatic Invertebrates .................................................................................................... 25
Metal Concentrations in Juvenile Arctic Grayling and Dolly Varden.......................... 30
Selenium Concentrations in Adult Arctic Grayling ...................................................... 39
Metal Concentrations in Adult Dolly Varden ............................................................... 42
Dolly Varden, Overwintering ....................................................................................... 47
Chum Salmon, Spawning ............................................................................................. 50
Dolly Varden, Juveniles ................................................................................................ 53
Arctic Grayling, Red Dog Creek Drainage ................................................................... 59
Arctic Grayling, Bons Pond .......................................................................................... 67
Slimy Sculpin ................................................................................................................ 74
Literature Cited ..................................................................................................................77
Appendix 1. Summary of Mine Development and Operations.........................................82
Appendix 2. Periphyton Standing Crop ..........................................................................105
Appendix 3. Aquatic Invertebrate Drift Samples ...........................................................107
Appendix 4. Juvenile Arctic Grayling from Bons Creek, Whole Body Element ...........116
Appendix 5. Juvenile Dolly Varden from Anxiety Ridge, Buddy ..................................117
Appendix 6. Arctic Grayling Females, Selenium ...........................................................118
Appendix 7. Dolly Varden Element Data, Wulik River 2015 ........................................120
Appendix 8. Dolly Varden Aerial Surveys .....................................................................122
Appendix 9. Dolly Varden and Chum Salmon Survey Areas ........................................123
Appendix 10. Juvenile Dolly Varden Sampling Sites ....................................................124
Appendix 11. Juvenile Dolly Varden Catches ................................................................125
Appendix 12. Arctic Grayling, Mainstem Red Dog Creek .............................................126
Appendix 13. Arctic Grayling Fry, North Fork Red Dog Creek ....................................130
List of Tables

1. Location of APDES Sample Sites and Factors Measured. ............................................ 1
2. Location of Sample Sites and Factors Measured. .......................................................... 3
3. Location of sample sites for Red Dog aquatic biomonitoring study. ............................ 4
4. Estimated number of Dolly Varden in the Wulik River. ............................................. 49
5. Number of chum salmon adults in Ikalukrok Creek. ................................................... 51
6. Location of juvenile Dolly Varden sample sites. ......................................................... 53
7. Summary of Arctic grayling spawning in Mainstem Red Dog Creek. ........................ 62

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List of Figures

1. Location of the Red Dog Mine in northwestern Alaska. ............................................... 2
2. Location of sample sites (some have a Station #) in the Ikalukrok ............................... 6
3. Downstream end of mixing zone in Mainstem Red Dog Creek .................................... 9
4. Clean water bypass system at the Red Dog Mine. The Red Dog Creek diversion ..... 10
5. Median, maximum, and minimum Pb concentrations at Station 151/10 ..................... 11
6. Median, maximum, and minimum Zn concentrations at Station 151/10 ..................... 11
7. Median Pb concentrations in 2015 from upstream (Station 145) ................................ 12
8. Median, maximum, and minimum Al concentrations at Station 151/10 ..................... 13
9. Median, maximum, and minimum Cd concentrations at Station 151/10 .................... 13
10. Median, maximum, and minimum Se concentrations at Station 151/10 ................... 14
11. Median, maximum, and minimum Ni concentrations at Station 151/10 ................... 14
12. Median, maximum, and minimum pH values at Station 151/10 ............................... 15
13. Median, maximum, and minimum TDS concentrations at Station 151/10................ 16
14. Median Cd concentrations in Mainstem Red Dog (MSRD), North Fork Red Dog ... 17
15. Median Pb concentrations in Mainstem Red Dog (MSRD), North Fork Red Dog. .. 18
16. Median Zn concentrations in Mainstem Red Dog (MSRD), North Fork Red Dog ... 19
17. Median Se concentrations in Mainstem Red Dog (MSRD), North Fork Red Dog ... 20
18. Average concentration of chlorophyll-a (+ 1SD). ..................................................... 21
19. Average concentration of chlorophyll-a. ................................................................... 22
20. Average chlorophyll-a concentrations versus Zn in Ikalukrok Creek ....................... 23
21. Average chlorophyll-a concentrations versus Cd in Ikalukrok Creek ....................... 23
22. Ikalukrok Creek at the Cub Creek seep about 10 km upstream of the mouth ........... 24
23. Average aquatic invertebrate densities (+ 1SD) in all sample sites ........................... 25
24. The average aquatic invertebrate density (± 1SD) in Buddy Creek .......................... 26
25. Average aquatic invertebrate densities in North Fork Red Dog and Mainstem ........ 26
26. Percent EPT and Chironomidae in the aquatic invertebrate samples ........................ 27
27. Percent EPT and Chironomidae in North Fork Red Dog Creek. ............................... 28
28. Percent EPT and Chironomidae in Mainstem Red Dog Creek. ................................. 28
29. Percent EPT and Chironomidae in Buddy Creek ...................................................... 28
30. Aquatic invertebrate taxa richness in North Fork Red Dog, Mainstem Red Dog ..... 29
31. Average Cd concentrations (+ 1SD) in juvenile Arctic grayling ............................... 31
32. Average Pb concentrations (+ 1SD) in juvenile Arctic grayling ............................... 32
33. Average Se concentrations (+ 1SD) in juvenile Arctic grayling ............................... 32
34. Average Zn concentrations (+ 1SD) in juvenile Arctic grayling ............................... 33
35. Average Hg concentrations (+ 1SD) in juvenile Arctic grayling .............................. 33
36 Median Cd whole body concentrations in juvenile Dolly Varden .............................. 34
37. Median whole body Cd concentrations and median Cd water quality data ............... 35
38. Median Pb whole body concentrations in juvenile Dolly Varden ............................. 35
39. Median whole body Pb concentrations and median Pb water quality data ................ 36
40. Median Se whole body concentrations in juvenile Dolly Varden ............................. 36
41. Median whole body Se concentrations and median Se water quality data ................ 37

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List of Figures (concluded)

42. Median Zn whole body concentrations in juvenile Dolly Varden ............................. 37
43. Median whole body Zn concentrations and median Zn water quality data ............... 38
44. Median Hg whole body concentrations in juvenile Dolly Varden ............................ 38
45. Average Se concentrations in Arctic grayling ovaries (dry weight) .......................... 40
46. Average Cd concentration (dry weight + 1SD) in Dolly Varden (1999-2015). ........ 43
47. Average Cu concentration (dry weight + 1SD) in Dolly Varden (1999-2015). ........ 43
48. Average Pb concentration (dry weight + 1SD) in Dolly Varden (1999-2015). ......... 44
49. Average Se concentration (dry weight + 1SD) in Dolly Varden (1999-2015). ......... 44
50. Average Zn concentration (dry weight + 1SD) in Dolly Varden (1999-2015).......... 45
51. Average Hg concentration (dry weight + 1SD) in Dolly Varden (1999-2015). ........ 45
52. Average Cd (± 1SD) concentration in Dolly Varden kidney tissue ........................... 46
53. Average Se (± 1SD) concentration (mg/kg dry weight) in Dolly Varden ovaries ..... 46
54. Aerial survey estimate of the number of Dolly Varden in the Wulik River .............. 47
55. Peak estimates of the number of chum salmon in Ikalukrok Creek .......................... 52
56. CPUE for juvenile Dolly Varden in the Red Dog Mine sample reaches in 2015. ..... 54
57. CPUE of juvenile Dolly Varden in Anxiety Ridge Creek. ........................................ 55
58. CPUE of juvenile Dolly Varden in Buddy Creek. ..................................................... 55
59. CPUE for juvenile Dolly Varden in lower Mainstem Red Dog Creek. ..................... 56
60. Length frequency distribution of Dolly Varden in the Ikalukrok Creek drainage ..... 57
61. Dolly Varden caught in fyke nets fished in North Fork Red Dog Creek ................... 58
62. Looking upstream at the fyke net in North Fork Red Dog Creek. ............................. 60
63. Peak daily water temperatures in North Fork Red Dog Creek .................................. 61
64. Length frequency distribution of Arctic grayling in spring 2015. ............................. 63
65. Average CPUE (fish/day) of immature Arctic grayling in North Fork ..................... 63
66. Average CPUE (fish/day) of mature Arctic grayling in North Fork ......................... 64
67. Percent of marked fish caught in North Fork Red Dog Creek ................................... 65
68. Average, maximum, and minimum annual growth of Arctic grayling ...................... 65
69. The estimated Arctic grayling population (95% CI).................................................. 66
70. Outlet of Bons Pond – Arctic grayling leaving Bons Pond ....................................... 67
71. Looking downstream at drift nets in Bons Creek upstream of Bons Pond ................ 69
72. Number of Arctic grayling fry caught in drift nets. ................................................... 69
73. CPUE for all Arctic grayling in Bons Creek. ............................................................ 70
74. CPUE for Arctic grayling < 200 mm in Bons Creek. ................................................ 70
75. Length frequency distribution of Arctic grayling in Bons Pond in spring 2015. ...... 71
76. Average annual growth (+ 1SD) of Arctic grayling < 250 mm ................................. 72
77. Average annual growth (+ 1SD) of Arctic grayling > 250 mm ................................. 72
78. Estimated Arctic grayling population (95% CI) in Bons Pond for fish > 200 mm ... 73
79. Slimy sculpin caught in fyke net in North Fork Red Dog Creek in spring 2015. ...... 74
80. CPUE of slimy sculpin caught in Mainstem Red Dog Creek .................................... 75
81. CPUE of slimy sculpin caught in Ikalukrok Creek at Station 7 (1997 to 2009) ........ 76

iv
Acknowledgements
We thank Teck for their financial and logistical support for the 2015 aquatic
biomonitoring work. We specifically acknowledge the assistance provided by Mr. Jeff
Clark, Mr. Wayne Hall, Mr. Chris Eckert, Mr. Darren Jones, Mr. Joseph Diehl III, Mr.
Dennis Sheldon, Ms. Karen Conitz, and Mr. Robert Napier.
Ms. Laura Jacobs and Mr. Brad Wendling with the Division of Habitat, Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and Mr. Brendan Scanlon with Sport Fish
Division (ADF&G) provided assistance with laboratory work. Mr. Fred DeCicco
(Fisheries Services and Supplies) conducted the fall Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma)
and chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) aerial surveys and collected the fall sample of
adult Dolly Varden from the Wulik River. Mr. Brad Wendling participated in 2015 field
sampling events.
Ms. Laura Jacobs and Ms. Nora Foster (NRF Taxonomic Services) were responsible for
sorting and identification of aquatic invertebrates. Mr. Robert Napier provided
constructive review of our report.

v
Executive Summary
●Median metals concentrations (Pb, Zn, Al, Cd) in Mainstem Red Dog Creek are
consistently lower when compared with pre-mining data. The pH and total dissolved
solids (TDS) in Mainstem Red Dog Creek are higher than pre-mining. Median
concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn are consistently higher in Mainstem Red Dog Creek as
compared with Buddy and North Fork Red Dog creeks and Bons Pond. Teck continued
to maintain the clean water bypass system. Median Pb concentrations in Mainstem Red
Dog Creek, which had increased from 2011 to 2013, decreased in 2014 and 2015.
●Algal biomass, as estimated by chlorophyll-a concentration, is determined each year at
Red Dog. Chlorophyll-a concentrations in 2015 were highest in Bons and Buddy creeks
below the falls and lowest in Middle Fork Red Dog Creek. Generally, average
chlorophyll-a concentrations are higher in Mainstem Red Dog and North Fork Red Dog
creeks as compared with Middle Fork Red Dog Creek. In 13 of 17 years, average
chlorophyll-a concentrations in North Fork Red Dog Creek were equal to or higher than
in Mainstem Red Dog Creek. Chlorphyll-a concentration continues to track closely with
elevated Zn and Cd in Ikalukrok Creek at Station 9. The major source of Cd and Zn at
Station 9 is the Cub Creek natural seep.
●Aquatic invertebrate densities are used as an index of stream productivity and health. In
2015, nine sites were sampled and the aquatic invertebrate density was highest in Buddy
Creek above the road and in North Fork Red Dog Creek at Station 12. Most sites
contained a higher percentage of Chironomidae than EPT (Ephemoptera Plecoptera
Tricoptera) and that is consistent with previous sample years. Taxa richness was highest
in 2014 and was the lowest in 2010. Taxa richness is similar in North Fork Red Dog,
Mainstem Red Dog, and Buddy creeks.
●Juvenile Arctic grayling from Bons Pond have been analyzed for selected whole body
metals in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2014, and 2015. Cadmium concentrations in Arctic grayling
are significantly different among the sample years and were the lowest in the spring 2015
sample. The average Pb whole body concentration in 2015 was significantly higher than
the Pb concentrations found in 2004 and 2007. Zinc concentrations in Arctic grayling are
significantly different among the sample years. All of the Hg concentrations are either at
or very near the detection limit (.02 or .04 mg/kg).
●Juvenile Dolly Varden median whole body concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn are
consistently higher in Mainstem Red Dog Creek than in Buddy and Anxiety Ridge
creeks. Cadmium and Zn water quality data track with whole body concentrations, but
Pb does not. Median whole body Se concentrations in juvenile Dolly Varden generally
are lowest in fish from Anxiety Ridge Creek, but Hg concentrations are higher. Each of
our sample sites seems to have its own unique relationship with whole body
concentrations of Cd, Pb, Se, Zn, and Hg.
●Selenium concentrations in Arctic grayling ovaries were highest in fish from Bons Pond
and lowest in Fish Creek at Ft. Knox Mine near Fairbanks. Selenium concentrations in
fish ovaries from 1999 and 2015 from North Fork Red Dog and Fish creeks have not
changed.

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