Fish have started reappearing in the streams near the former tar ponds and coke ovens sites in Sydney, N.S., indicating a positive outcome following the extensive cleanup of the steel and coal industries in Cape Breton over a century. The $400-million remediation project was carried out by the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency, which later merged into Nova Scotia Lands and is now under the purview of Build Nova Scotia, responsible for overseeing water quality in the streams traversing the abandoned industrial areas.
Donnie Burke, a senior director at the agency, expressed satisfaction with the findings of an independent engineering firm, affirming that the remediation efforts have been effective. He noted that current observations show either stability or improvement in the environmental conditions, which is a promising development.
The former coke ovens area was reclaimed by covering it with slag rock remnants from the previous steel plant, while the once-infamous tar ponds, previously considered Canada’s most toxic waste site, were sealed off with concrete. Additionally, Coke Ovens Brook, Wash Brook, and Muggah Creek underwent cleanup processes, and the surrounding lands were landscaped to channel surface water into the streams. Groundwater from the coke ovens site is treated before being reintroduced into the streams, ensuring a comprehensive remediation approach.
Both sites were then landscaped with topsoil and grass. The former tar ponds have been transformed into Open Hearth Park, offering recreational amenities like football and soccer fields, playgrounds, walking paths, and open spaces. Conversely, the coke ovens site now serves as an open field used for activities such as cricket, walking, and snowmobiling during winter.
Water quality testing confirmed that the tar ponds’ containment cap is effectively preventing the release of toxins. Although occasional spikes in heavy metals or industrial chemicals occur at the coke ovens site after heavy rainfall, the monitoring system promptly detects these fluctuations, allowing for appropriate adjustments in the water treatment process.
Burke acknowledged the presence of minor anomalies but emphasized the overall stability or improvement in the environmental conditions since the implementation of the protective covers. Continuous monitoring through wells strategically placed around the sites ensures ongoing assessment of water quality.
Recent research conducted by Cape Breton University revealed the return of a small fish species to the streams, with trout eggs and fry sighted in Coke Ovens Brook. This unexpected resurgence of aquatic life signifies a positive ecological shift in the remediated areas, indicating progress in restoring the local ecosystem.
Dr. Katherine Jones, a biology professor at CBU, highlighted the improved health status of mummichog fish residing in the former tar ponds, contrasting their previous poor health conditions with the current healthier state post-remediation efforts. She emphasized the need for further studies to ascertain the long-term impacts on local fish populations and explore genetic relationships among the fish species inhabiting the remediated sites.
Under a commitment to monitor the sites for 25 years post-cleanup, the government regularly publishes monitoring results on Build Nova Scotia’s website. Burke confirmed that the monitoring process, halfway through completion, demonstrates positive trends, indicating successful environmental rehabilitation efforts.