BC Business
Where the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre gathered oil samples following a leak from the MV Marathassa in April. Stars match samples of Marathassa oil; dots represent mixed signaturesWhere the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre gathered oil samples following a leak from the MV Marathassa in April. Stars match samples of Marathassa oil; dots represent mixed signatures
Oil and water It’s confirmed: forensic analysis of oil samples collected after the MV Marathassa leaked bunker fuel on April 8 conclusively shows that it spread throughout Vancouver’s harbour and Burrard Inlet. The oil signature from the ship and affected areas is different from other hydrocarbons frequently encountered in coastal B.C., say scientists from the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. Several samples exceeded current Canadian environmental quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. “We’re very concerned about the release, accidental or otherwise, of harmful pollutants into our coastal waters as hydrocarbons present a risk to all manner of ocean life,” said Peter Ross, director of Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Pollution Research Program, in a release. “This incident highlighted the importance of having baseline data against which to compare these and other results.” The researchers plan to do further analysis and publish the results in an international scientific publication.
Oil about the environment After energetic disagreement over the relative importance of oil and the environment, Canada’s premiers have resolved their differences and released their Canadian Energy Strategy (PDF), noting in a joint statement that “provincial and territorial governments will collaborate in different ways to pursue initiatives and address energy issues in line with their unique strengths, challenges and priorities.” B.C. is asking residents to help the government form its next phase of climate action by reviewing and giving feedback on the Climate Leadership Discussion Paper through an online survey between July 17 and August 17.
Drop in the bucket The Vancouver Sun reports that since 2004 water consumption has dropped in most Lower Mainland municipalities, especially West Vancouver (down 40.5 per cent overall, 40.6 per cent per capita) and Pitt Meadows (down 26.5 per cent overall, 39 per cent per capita). In North Vancouver, not so much: North Van District increased consumption 2.7 per cent overall and 1.8 per cent per capita; North Van City was up 16 per cent overall and 3.9 per cent per capita. The only other increase was in Langley Township where overall usage increased 16 per cent while per capita usage decreased 9.4 per cent. Muddying the waters, the numbers do not include water from private wells and West Vancouver’s Eagle Reservoir.