As an investigation into a train derailment near Banff continues, one of the world’s leading aquatics scientists says the accident should serve as a big wakeup call that a bigger spill with more toxic material could happen.
“Obviously, transporting toxic materials in any way has some risk,” said David Schindler, a scientist based out of the University of Alberta, who has led efforts to protect fresh water resources in Canada and around the world.
“Imagine dilbit (bitumen diluted with petroleum products) spilled directly into the Bow, or into the upstream reach of a river, where it would be carried downstream under ice with no removal possible for months.”
Fifteen Canadian Pacific cars left the tracks while crossing a bridge over 40 Mile Creek on Dec. 26, with eight falling into the creek. One car contained soybeans and seven contained fly ash – a fine grey powder byproduct from the combustion of coal.
Concerns have been raised about the effects of fly ash on aquatic life in the creek, which is home to four fish species, including bull trout.
A document provided by Parks Canada says fly ash, which may have trace amounts of various elements including arsenic, lead, nickel, mercury and uranium as a result of their presence in coal “may cause long-term adverse affects in the aquatic environment.”
Schindler said because much of the spilled material went under ice, the effects on the environment may never been fully known, but he said he could make some intelligent guesses.
“Because the spill was in the lowest 200 metres or so of 40 Mile, that downstream stretch would be all that would be affected. Fly ash is alkaline, so there would be some increase in pH, which could affect organisms. Also, toxic trace metals, but most of those would be bound to particles, not in solution,” he said.
“Once the effluent reached the Bow River, it would be quickly diluted, and I would expect damage there to be minimal as well. Hopefully when spring arrives someone will be able to assess whether or not fly ash has contaminated the sediments in these small areas.”
The investigation continues, and a spokesperson for the Transportation Safety Board said the investigation could take up to a year to conclude, maybe even longer depending on the complexities.
TSB spokesman Chris Krepski said investigators will look at track infrastructure, training of the crew, the locomotive event recorder, condition of the locomotive and cars, the weather at the time and environmental conditions, among other things.
“We will look at everything relevant to the accident,” he said.
