080121-08MN006-Sabina Hackett River Project Proposal ... - NIRB

Description of the Existing EnvironmentHackett at the upstream sampling location and the inflow of a number of tributaries uninfluencedby the Hackett Camp mineral deposits between the upstream sampling location and that of thedownstream sampling location. Somewhat counter-intuitively, in both the Mara and the Hackettthe increase in metals and nutrients was correlated with an increase in gravel and decrease insand.6.1.11 Marine WaterThree baseline studies have been completed in Bathurst Inlet; one in 2001, a small survey in2002, and one in 2007 (Rescan 2002, 2008b). All studies focused on the area immediatelyaround the proposed BIPR port site, and all studies were conducted in August.In 2001, the following components were sampled: physical structure of the water column, waterquality, sediment quality, phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthos (1 station only), fish community,and fish habitat. In 2002, benthos samples and a single sediment quality sample were collected.In 2007, the following components were sampled: bathymetry around port site area, physicalstructure of the water column, water quality, sediment quality, phytoplankton, zooplankton,benthos, and fish habitat.6.1.11.1 Marine Physical ProcessesDetailed nearshore bathymetric data were collected at the proposed BIPR port site in August2007 (Rescan 2008b). A shallow water shelf extends at the slope of approximately 8% to adepth of 10 m and a distance of 120 m from the shoreline. Beyond this distance, the seabedslopes steeply at about 30% to depths greater than 40 m. Canadian Hydrographic Servicebathymetric charts are available for the navigable areas with Bathurst Inlet and along theproposed BIPR shipping route.There are no data available on tides within Bathurst Inlet near the proposed BIPR port site. Thenearest government tidal monitoring point is at Omingmaktok (Baychimo, Station # 6250),which is located on the northeast edge of Bathurst Inlet near the mouth of the fjord, more than120 km ‘upstream’ of the proposed port location.For the period of July 1, 2007 to October 1, 2007, tides at Omingmaktok could be described asdiurnal, or very weak semidiurnal. There was typically one maximum and one minimum tide perday. The maximum tidal height during this period was ~0.6 m, and the minimum tidal heightduring this period was ~0.07 m. The typical change in water height due to the tides ranged fromabout 0.2 to 0.4 m per cycle (GC tides website).Marine currents within Bathurst Inlet are not well documented. CHS (1994) notes that tides withinBathurst Inlet are generally 0.3 m or less and contribute little to the currents in the inlet, and thatseveral rivers flow into Bathurst Inlet (e.g., the Western River at the southern end of Bathurst;Amagok Creek and No Name Creeks entering the bay to the west of the proposed port site).River flow into the long fjord of Bathurst Inlet likely creates an estuarine circulation, and wouldtherefore produce a predominately northward setting current near the surface in the port area, anda week south flowing return current at depth. A northward setting current has also been reportedJanuary 2008 Hackett River Project – Project Proposal Sabina Silver CorporationReport Version B.1 6–23 Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #833-2)