Some of the first studies to examine the impacts of diluted bitumen on migrating wild salmon reveal even tiny amounts of the oil product weakens their chances of making it back to rivers and streams to spawn.
University of Guelph researcher Sarah Alderman says the studies shows diluted bitumen hinders the swimming performance of salmon and damages major organs, including their hearts.
Diluted bitumen is the main product being shipped through Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline and the company is expanding its pipeline from Alberta to B-C.
The pipeline crosses the Fraser River watershed, Canada's largest freshwater salmon-bearing area.
Alderman says their work, along with studies from Simon Fraser University and the University of B-C, shows year-old salmon exposed to diluted bitumen were found to be less fit, with a 15-per-cent reduction in swimming capacity and signs of cardiac fibrosis.
A statement from Trans Mountain says it hasn't seen the reports, but the company is committed to ensuring pipeline safety.
Alderman says the study will help them know what to expect and how to react in the event of a spill.