SALT-WATER SYSTEM AT THE 



ST. ANDREWS BIOLOGICAL STATION OF THE 



FISHERIES RESEARCH BOARD OF CANADA 



By D. S. Mann, D. W. McLecse, and L. R. Day 



Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Biological Station, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada 



Abstract. — Submerged stainless-steel and aluminum-alloy pumps supply salt water 

 through nontoxic plastic piping and fittings to laboratory facilities, and to a 30,000- 

 gallon header tank through a partially effective antisurge unit. Straight runs and 

 T-joints in piping facilitate cleaning. Hot salt water for blending in temperature ex- 

 periments is protluced in a stainless-steel heat exchanger in an oil-fired fresh-water 

 boiler. Expansion valves at compressed-air pumps prevent toxic ions from passing 

 through the copper air-distribution system. 



The salt-water system at St. Andrews, 

 New Brunswick, is used to meet various 

 requirements of fishery research, ranging 

 from the culture of planktonic forms to 

 studies of the growth and behaviour of 

 commercial-sized species (fish, crusta- 

 ceans, mollusks) in controlled environ- 

 ments. 



THE SALT-WATER SUPPLY 



The station is located where the estuary 

 of the St. Croix River empties into Pas- 

 samaquoddy Bay and has unlimited access 

 to natural sea water. Each year, the level 

 of diurnal high tides ranges above normal 

 low water from 19 feet during neap tides 

 to 28 feet during spring tides. Water 

 temperatures range from about 32° F. 

 (0° C.) in winter to a maximum of 55° F. 

 (13° C.) in summer. Salinity normally 

 ranges around 28 to 31 parts per thousand 

 although it may fall to 25 parts per thou- 

 sand during spring runoff. The oxygen 

 content of the sea water is normal. 



THE SALT-WATER SYSTEM 



The salt-water intake is on the outer 

 face of the station's wharf, approximately 



18 feet above the sea bed and 4 feet below 

 the lowest low-tide level. Unfiltered salt 

 water is pumped to a 30,000-gallon con- 

 crete reservoir tank about 40 feet above 

 the main laboratories. This elevation pro- 

 vides a constant pressure head for the sys- 

 tem. From the reservoir tank, water is 

 distributed to the laboratory buildings 

 (fig. 1). There are facilities to heat part 

 of the supply but no facilities for refrig- 

 eration (fig. 2). 



Pumps 



Two intake pumps, each of 100 gallons 

 per minute capacity, are in use. They are 

 submersible, "Flygt" model B-80L pumps, 

 manufactured by the Stenburg Corpora- 

 tion, Stockholm, Sweden. These pumps 

 are constructed of a salt-water-resistant 

 aluminum alloy with a stainless-steel im- 

 peller. Experience has shown that stain- 

 less steel is less subject to corrosion and 

 breakage than cast iron. Because the 

 pumps are submerged, leaks at the suction 

 end, which can cause the water to be super- 

 saturated with gases, are avoided. The 

 two pumps have been in use since 1958 — 

 one pump in use while the other was being 



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