The Prince George Citizen - Friday, September 4,1992 - 29 Zebra mussels help clean up Great Lakes BRIDGEPORT, N.Y. (AP) — The menace of the Great Lakes and its tributaries, the zebra mussel, isn’t without a good side. In overrunning the Great Lakes, the zebra mussel has become a costly nuisance with its damaging habit of colonizing in water intake and drainage pipes. But the imported shellfish are also cleaning the water, researchers at Cornell University say. In a project that also involved the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, researchers studied the zebra mussel in three New York rivers and three lakes and found it quite adept at filtering toxic substances from water. The zebra mussel, about four centimetres in diameter, is dark-colored with white stripes. They spawn almost continuously; a female produces 30,000 to 40,000 eggs in each of its two or three years of life. “A single zebra mussel filters as much as two quarts of water a day,” said Edward Mills, a biologist at Cornell’s biological field station on Oneida Lake, north of Syracuse, N.Y. ’’Multiply that by all the zebra mussels in the lakes and rivers, and there’s a lot of water cleaning going on,” Still, many scientists agree — and Mills is among them — that there’s little chance the European invader’s reputation will improve. “The negatives associated with them certainly outweigh the positives,” said Mills, whose research is to be published in the journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. "But they’re here. . .So we might as well start asking how we can utilize them in a positive sense,” Mills said. Since zebra mussels were first detected in Michigan’s Lake St. Clair near Detroit in 1988, they have spread throughout the Great Lakes and connecting waterways, including the upper Mississippi River, by hitchhiking on boats. It’s believed they were carried to North America from eastern Europe in the ballast water of freighters. Experts estimate the inedible mollusk, if unchecked, could spread to two-thirds of North American waterways and cause $5 billion in damage by the end of the century. It also threatens to wreck fisheries wherever it is found. The zebra mussel prefers warmer, mineral-rich water, said Tun Sinnott, a fish and wildlife ecologist with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Their predilection to cluster in pipes comes from their need for flowing water, he said. One Canadian water plant on Lake Ontario removed 30 tonnes of mussels clogging a four-kilolometre-long intake pipe. Populations of up to 700,000 per square metre have been found in Lake Erie near Detroit. Scientists are searching for ways to control the zebra mussels’ spread. Knowing that mollusks strain plankton and algae from the water for their food. Mills and his colleagues focused on the zebra mussel’s ability to capture heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, and pesticides. They studied Lake Ontario and Onondaga and Oneida lakes and the Hudson, Niagara and Genesee rivers. Researchers found the zebra mussels removed and stored the compounds in their soft tissue, said Donald Lisk, a Cornell toxicologist, who analyzed both shells and freeze-dried meat from the mollusks for 20 elements and toxic or-ganics. Lisk found concentrations of cadmium and selenium in mussels from almost all the locations. Hudson River mussels had about 10 times more PCBs than others, which reflects the river’s contamination, he said. The zebra mussel is sensitive to parts per billions of certain contaminants, said biologist Dave MacNeill of New York Sea Grant, an educational program in Brock-port, near Lake Ontario. Sea Grant has sponsored two international conferences on the zebra mussel. “Europeans,use them to monitor downstream from industrial discharges,” said MacNeill. “The zebra mussel closes its shell in the presence of contaminants. By hooking an electronic sensor to a computer, you can learn as soon as something toxic has been introduced in the water.” In the Netherlands and in parts of the former Soviet Union, zebra mussels purposely are being used as a water quality management tool, said Sinnott “They lower them into the water on a slab or platform just to clear up the water.” There already has been noticeable improvement in the clarity of several afflicted lakes, said Phil Strobel, an environmental engineer with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes national program in Chicago. “There’s no doubt Lake Erie is a clearer body of water because of the zebra mussel,” said Strobel. But Randy Eshenroder, a senior scientist with the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission in Ann Arbor, Mich., says the zebra mussel has a great capacity to alter its environment. “It’s changing the cycling of or-ganics and changing the food web structure. It’s already had a profound impact on the Great Lakes fishery.” The zebra mussels rob fish of food, and then overload the bottom with organics in the form of feces, Eshenroder said. As the zebra mussels die, they decay and pass the toxins they’ve accumulated back into the ecosystem, leaving more of the contamination concentrated in the sediment, he said. Eshenroder also noted that having ultra-clear water is not necessarily desirable. It not only means less plankton and algae for the next rung of the food chain, but many fish species need murky water for spawning, he said. There’s another impact on the food chain from the zebra mussels’ toxic gathering activities, Lisk said. Such efficient accumulators of contaminants can pass the poisons along to anything that eats them, he said. It’s not an immediate problem for people. But Lisk said people who eat water-dwelling animals that eat zebra mussels — including some species of ducks and bottom-feeding fish — will amass their share of toxins. Scientists monitoring decline of songbirds WINNIPEG (CP) — Scientists are in the first year of a project to monitor the apparent decline of songbirds in Manitoba. In recent years, the public has been made aware of the drastic decline of tropical rain forests, especially those in South and Central America, said project head Keith Hobson. But they are not as familiar with the dangerous decrease in Canada’s forested regions, particularly the boreal forest. These areas serve as summer breeding grounds for many species of songbirds, as well as other types of wildlife. “The decrease in songbird numbers is a warning to us of the ecological problems on our planet,” said Hobson. “From an ethical viewpoint we should respect and be concerned with the non-human diversity of life.” Enid Cumming, a graduate student in biology from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, said songbirds like thrushes, warblers and vireos are caught, banded and then released for the study. “Most of the songbirds are on their way to Mexico or Central or South America now. We catch them as they are migrating.” Cumming and two fellow graduate students at the University of Manitoba are working with Hobson, a Saskatoon-based research scientist with the federally funded Canadian Wildlife Service. The three-year project will allow scientists to make comparisons with an earlier study begun by University of Manitoba zoologist Dr. Spencer Sealy. “In the early 1980s, Sealy had a student monitoring migrating songbird populations,” said Hobson, who has started a similar banding operation near Last Mountain Lake, Sask. “Since then 10 years have elapsed, and we want to know if they have declined in this part of the world because of loss of habitat We don’t know if the birds are endangered, but some of them like vireos are (considered) threatened.” Career OPPORTUNITIES HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT Cancer patients are not alone. The Canadian Cancer Society offers a variety of support and rehabilitation programs for patients after cancer treatment. Ask your local Unit of the CCS about programs like CanSur-mount. Help is available. CAN/ CAN< 4ACHAN I SOClETt kNICER I CANADtENNE SOCIETY I DU CANCER BRITISH COLUMBIA AND TUAOS DIVISION Supported by the Prince George Cituen INVESTIGATOR Rapidly growing Private Investigation Company urgently requires a part time and full time investigator to complement our existing investigators in Prince George and area. We require a mature individual, male or female who has dependable transportation and is free to travel to some extent. Some training will be provided but experience in statement taking would be an asset. Must have no criminal record and be bondable and anxious to learn. To arrange an interview reply with resume to Box D-482 this paper. “Quality childcare can make the difference for working parents” PRINCE GEORGE FAMILY DAYCARE SOCIETY Supported by the Prince George Citizen REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY: ••• TOWER OPERATOR •••• Have you considered an Automotive Service Career? Barnes Chev-Olds requires an organized, energetic and highly motivated individual to fulfill the position of a Tower Operator in the Service Department. Computer experience and some mechanical knowledge are desired but not necessary. -Barnes Apply in person with your resume to our Service Manager between CHEVROLET OLDSMOBIf CADILLAC LTD. [ the hours of 11am and 4pm. 2000 Victoria Street, Prince George, 564-4466 BOOKKEEPER The Prince George Metii Housing Society requires sn individusl to tske responsibility for the dsy lo dsy sccounting functions. The Job: • Preparing bank reconciliations • Maintain all sccounting records up to working trial balance • Maintain accounts receivable and accounts payable • Prepare adjusting journal entries and monthly financial statements • Assist in preparing annual operating budgets • Assist the office manager in daily operations of the society • Prepare reports for presentation to the Board of Directors The Penan: • Will report to the office manager • Will have hands on computer experience • Will have good written communication skills • Some knowledge of fund accounting would be beneficial Salary commensurate with experience Closing date: Sept. 11,1992 Interested applicants should submit a reaumd in confidence to: Murline Browning. Office Manager Prince George Metis Housing Society #201 • 2414 Queensway Street Prince George. B.C. V2L1M8 Are You Interested In Becoming A Corrections/Security Worker? The Corrections Academy, Justice Institute of B.C. is offering an EMPLOYMENT READINESS PROGRAM at several locations throughout B.C. November 16 - December 11,1992 (Prince George) Application Deadline: September 25,1992 January 4 - March 25,1993 (Vancouver) Application Deadline: November 6,1992 January 11 - February 5,1993 (Victoria) Application Deadline: November 13,1992 February 15 - March 12,1993 (Langley) Application Deadline: January 11,1993 Each Program will be offered to 24 carefully screened applicants. Plan to attend one of the following information sessions to be held at Prince George: COLLEGE OF 7:00 p.m. Sept. NEW CALEDONIA Monday 14/92 Room 1-306 3330-22nd Avenue 10:00 a.m. Sept. Prince George, B.C. Tuesday 15/92 For an INFORMATION PACKAGE please call: 222-7293 or 222-7196 This is an equal opportunity program. Women, Minority Groups and First Nations people are encouraged to seek further information. TIMBERLINE FOREST INVENTORY CONSULTANTS LTD. Has a permanent opening in our Prince George office for a draughtsperson. The successful candidate must demonstrate capability in ink-on-mytar and Leroy lettering draughting tor forestry application. Experience with office administration and filing is an asset. Tlmberline is a progressive, fully integrated consultancy firm specializing In forest inventory. The position otters a competitive salary and benefits package. Resumes will be accepted up to and including September 15,1992. Please send resumes in confidence to: TIMBERLINE FOREST INVENTORY CONSULTANTS LTD. 1533 - 8th Avenue Prince George, B.C. V2L 3R3 Attention: John Fuller... CERTIFIED ^ MILLWRIGHT GROUP Slocan Forest Products, Quesnel Division has a permanent opening for a Millwright. IWA wages and benefits will apply. An ability to weld is required. Quesnel Division is a modern plant producing mainly stock 2x4 stock. Please contact: Slocan Forest Products Quesnel Division Box 8000 Quesnel, B.C. V2J 3J5 PH: 604-992-5581 FAX: 992-8520 MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEE The Prince George Metis Housing Society requires an individual to perform maintenance repairs to all units of the Society. THE JOB: * Maintain and repair all individual units as required. * Perform move-out inspections of vacant units. * Schedule all necessary move out procedures (repairs, painting, etc.) * Schedule jobs by priority. * Ensure maintenance in reasonable time. * Recommend a qualified tradesman when necessary to General Manager. * Execute other duties as required by the General Manager THE PERSON: * Will report to General Manager * Have own tools and transportation (truck) * Will have good writing and communication skills * Valid BC drivers licences * Bondable Wages commensurate with experience. Closing date: September 11,1992 Interested applicants should submit a resume in confidence to: Ken Browning, General Manager Prince George Metis Housing Society 201-2414 Queensway Street Prince George, B.C. V2L 1M8 Paper Mill Shift Supervisor The Pulp & Paper operations of Repap Manitoba has an immediate need for a Supervisor to assume on-shift responsibility for the Production of pulp and paper including the finishing line and paper warehouse. Supervising a crew of 20 employees on shift, the successful candidate will be responsible for the production of kraft paper from digesters to finished product. Candidates for this position will have previous supervisory experience in a pulping and/or papermaking environment (preferably Kraft paper). Consideration will be given for applicants having a good combination of industry experience and education. The Pas, "Gateway to the North", is a progressive modern community located in an area renowned for hunting, fishing and camping. Excellent school systems, medical facilities, shopping malls and varied transportation systems are available local- •y- The Company offers competitive salaries, relocation assistance and a comprehensive benefit package. Qualified applicants should reply in writing prior to September 11,1992 to: Personnel Assistant • Employment Repap Manitoba P.O. Box 1590, The Pas Manitoba R9A1L4 THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA The University of Northern British Columbia invites applications for the following positions: RESEARCH OFFICER / ANNUAL DONATIONS OFFICER This is a staff position in the newly-formed Development Office. Reporting to the Director, the successful candidate will identify potential donors, research their donations history, their budget/allocations cycle and procedures. The Officer will also be responsible for co-ordinating annual donations pledged by organizations and individuals. The Research Officer/Annual Donations Officer will have substantial institutional fundraising and/or donor survey and research experience in BC. The individual will also possess excellent communication skills and demonstrated competence in word processing, spreadsheet, data base and statistical computer applications. FINANCIAL SYSTEMS ANALYST Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Financial Systems Analyst will assist Finance Department managers in the identifications, selection, tasting and implementation of the department's computer hardware and software systems, and will be responsible for their ongoing operations, security and staff training. The Financial Systems Analyst will also assist in the development of policies and procedures and act as a financial systems resource person throughout the University. The successful candidate will have a keen knowledge of various mainframe and PC based financial packages and thoroughly understand networking and integration. A Bachelors degree and three to five years work experience in a technologically • advanced financial environment is highly desirable. Varying combinations of work and education will be considered. Letter of application, along with a curriculum vitae and the names of at least three referees, will be received until September 18,1992. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The University is committed to the principle of equity in employmenl Director of Human Resources University of Northern British Columbia P.O. Bag 1950, Station A Prince George, B.C. V2L5P2 UftbC