Minas Basin

MARINE SUBSYSTEMS

CHARACTERISTICS

• Temperature: 0º - 12º C
• Salinity: 30 ppt
• Depth:  25 - 50 m 

WAVE & TIDE regimeS

• Waves are locally generated
• Highest tides in the world

Currents & sediment movement

• Currents are tidally controlled
• Abundant sediment movement

Marine habitat

FISHERIES

• 50 species of fish
• Salt marshes - important nursery areas

Oil & Gas

• Planning to produce diesel fuel

TOURISM & RECREATION

• Marine scenery
• Kayaking
• Rafting
• Fishing

Wastewater

• Description
• Treated and discharged
• Combined and delievered
• Approved and released

CHALLENGES

• Declining fisheries
• Oil spills

Water contamination

• Organic contaminants
• Inorganic contaminants
• Physical contaminants

COASTAL SUBSYSTEMS

Coastal Profile & Habitat

• Rocky and steep
• Mudflats and salt marches
• Fine-grained sand particles

Tourism

• Fossils
• Camping
• Hiking

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HARBOR

challenges

• Farming
• Coastal Erosion

Coastal water quality

• Environmental
• Economic
• Health

TERRESTRIAL SUBSYSTEMS

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Soil

• Bay mud
• Habitat to a diversity of shorebirds
• Tides

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Terrestrial resources

• Fishing
• Logging
• Farming
• Mining
• Boat & ship building

aquaculture

FARMING

• Mixed-cattle husbandry
• Vegetable growing
• Egg production
• Apple growing

settlement patterns

• Mi'kmaq
• French
• British

infrastructure facilities

• Paper mill & recycling
• Tidal power & force
• Wind power
• Diesel from plastics

challenges

• Coastal erosion
• Destruction of dykes
• Changes in distribution of plants & animals
• Biodiversity