School of Environment and Sustainability

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Novel statistical analysis illustrates the importance of flow source for extreme variation in dissolved organic carbon in a eutrophic reservoir in the Great Plains
(European Geosciences Union, 2025-03) Baron, Anthony; Baulch, Helen M.; Nazemi, Ali; Whitfield, Colin
Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) trends, predominantly showing long-term increases in concentration, have been observed across many regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Elevated DOC concentrations are a major concern for drinking water treatment plants, owing to the effects of disinfection byproduct formation, the risk of bacterial regrowth in water distribution systems, and treatment cost increases. Using a unique 30-year data set encompassing both extreme wet and dry conditions in a eutrophic drinking water reservoir in the Great Plains of North America, we investigate the effects of changing source-water and in-lake water chemistry on DOC. We employ novel wavelet coherence analyses to explore the coherence of changes in DOC with other environmental variables and apply a generalized additive model to understand predictor–DOC responses. We found that the DOC concentration was significantly coherent with (and lagging behind) flow from a large upstream mesotrophic reservoir at long (> 18-month) timescales. DOC was also coherent with (lagging behind) sulfate and in phase with total phosphorus, ammonium, and chlorophyll a concentrations at short (≤ 18-month) timescales across the 30-year record. These variables accounted for 56 % of the deviance in DOC from 1990 to 2019, suggesting that water-source and in-lake nutrient and solute chemistry are effective predictors of the DOC concentration. Clearly, climate and changes in water and catchment management will influence source-water quality in this already water-scarce region. Our results highlight the importance of flow management to shallow eutrophic reservoirs; wet periods can exacerbate water quality issues, and these effects can be compounded by reducing inflows from systems with lower DOC. These flow management decisions address water level and flood risk concerns but also have important impacts on drinking water treatability.
Short-term economic effects of the São Francisco Inter-basin Water Transfer on the low-income population in Brazil
(Regional Science Policy & Practice, 2025-03) de Melo Galindo de Lima, Vitoria Roberta Martins; Duarte, Gisleia; Zapata, Oscar
Exploring the short-term effects of water supply promoted by the São Francisco Inter-basin Water Transfer (PISF) on economic aspects in benefited municipalities in Brazil is relevant for three main reasons. First, water is crucial for local development. Second, there was a large volume of resources employed. Finally, many people were affected by the project. To fill the gap in the literature, this research proposes to verify the impacts on the low-income population living in municipalities that received water from PISF in 2017. To reach this purpose, we applied a Differences in Differences identification method using three different control groups, considering 2016 and 2018 as the before and after treatment periods. We investigated the effects on individual and family income per capita, whether individuals had a paid work, and whether they participated in the Bolsa Familia Program, a Brazilian income transfer program. The main results imply that the project has generally played a positive role in low-income population lives in the short term. However, the observed improvement in the analyzed variables does not necessarily mean a rise in family well-being.
Bioresource Waste Management and Circular Economy
(Sustainability, 2024-11) Jha, Shivangi; Nanda, Sonil; Zapata, Oscar; Acharya, Bishnu; Dalai, Ajay K.
A plethora of sustainability-related challenges plague the modern world, among which is residue management. The significant implications of waste management on local populations and the global climate system have propelled research efforts toward residue management. Improved understanding and predictions in biomass residue management can help identify opportunities to advance residue management to address these complex challenges. In recent years, sustainability science has gained momentum and is viewed as the most effective approach to addressing wicked problems. For instance, the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is a major contributor to climate change. This review examines how a greater knowledge of human–environment interaction and the value of ecological services could facilitate the recycling of agricultural and forestry wastes for their uses in bioenergy production and soil protection. In addition, it highlights the connection between biomass residual management and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, thereby strengthening the circular and ecological economy. Additionally, this review also discusses how interdisciplinary and systems thinking can contribute to the advancement of biomass residue management. This review aims to explore how the principles of sustainability science and systems thinking can help enhance the reutilization of agricultural and forest residues through biomass residue management. It also aims to assess their potential in reducing environmental and social impacts.
Broadening the spectrum of conflict and coexistence: A case study example of human-wolf interactions in British Columbia, Canada
(PLoS One, 2025-02) Doney, Ethan; Frank, Beatrice; Clark, Douglas A
Coexistence has seen an explosive rise within conservation social science scholarship. While this represents an exciting shift in the field, many academics are still skeptical. Some scholars have expressed concerns around the omission of “conflict”, naïveté, and impracticality associated with coexistence literature. In this paper, we aim to demonstrate that critiques of coexistence often stem from reductionism and decontextualization, process inefficiencies and/or inequities, failure to address and prioritize human well-being as a goal, and a lack of tools to foster open, collaborative dialogue. We draw on a case study of human-wolf interactions in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Region, British Columbia, Canada, to illustrate how coexistence efforts can, and should, prioritize “conflict”, be attentive to the real challenges of sharing spaces with wildlife, and encourage collaborative, inclusive processes that work toward tangible, actionable outcomes. We conducted 32 semi-structured interviews with residents from diverse backgrounds and levels of experience with wolves in the region. From these interviews, we articulated novel, co-developed, contextual definitions of human-wolf conflict and coexistence in the region. We then developed a collaborative tool for visualizing behavioral and cognitive elements of human-wildlife interactions through open and inclusive dialogue, using real examples from these research interviews. The research findings highlight three main principles: (1) that conflict and coexistence are contextual and should be understood as such, (2) that coexistence requires collaborative processes that pay attention to equity and inclusivity, and (3) that there are frameworks or tools that can help facilitate discussions toward practical outcomes of coexistence projects. We believe that this paper helps to disambiguate coexistence and reinforce that coexistence requires focused attention to the well-being of people as much as wildlife.
A typology of transdisciplinary learning and capacity development in sustainability science: WHO IS DOING WHAT, WHERE, AND HOW?
(2024) Cockburn, Jessica; Reed, Maureen; Robson, James; Rosenberg, Eureta; Lotz-Sisitka, Heila; Mora-Sanchez, Constanza; Mvulane, Wandile
Impacts of graphene oxide contamination on a food web: Threats to somatic and reproductive health of organisms
(Elsevier, 2024-09-19) hashemi, ehsan; Giesy, John; Liang, Zhuobin; Akhavan, Omid; rahim tayefeh, aidin; Daliri joupari, Morteza; sanati, Mohammad Hossein; Shariati, Parvin; Shamsara, Mehdi; Farmany, Abbas
Contamination of aquatic food webs with nanomaterials poses a significant ecological and human health challenge. Ingestion of nanomaterials alongside food disrupts digestion and impairs physiological processes, with potential consequences for organism fitness and survival. Complex interactions between nanomaterials and biota further exacerbate the issue, influencing life-history strategies and ecosystem dynamics. Accumulation of nanomaterials within autotrophic and detritus-based food webs raises concerns about biomagnification, especially for top-level consumers and seafood-dependent human populations. Understanding the extent and impact of nanomaterial contamination on aquatic biota is crucial for effective mitigation strategies. To address this challenge, we conducted a comprehensive study evaluating the bioaccumulation effects of graphene oxide (GO), a commonly used nanomaterial, within an aquatic food chain. Using a gnotobiotic freshwater microcosm, we investigated the effects of micro- and nano-scale GO sheets on key organisms: green algae (Chlorella vulgaris), brine shrimp (Artemia salina), and zebrafish (Danio rerio). Two feeding regimes, direct ingestion and trophic transfer, were employed to assess GO uptake and transfer within the food web. Direct exposure involved individual organisms being exposed to either nano- or micro-scale GO sheets, while trophic transfer involved a sequential exposure pathway: algae exposed to GO sheets, artemias feeding on the algae, and zebrafish consuming the artemias. Our study provides critical insights into nanomaterial contamination in aquatic ecosystems. Physicochemical properties of GO sheets, including ζ-potential and dispersion, were influenced by salt culture media, resulting in aggregation under salt conditions. Microscopic imaging confirmed the bioaccumulation of GO sheets within organisms, indicating prolonged exposure and potential long-term effects. Notably, biodistribution analysis in zebrafish demonstrated the penetration of nano-sized GO into the intestinal wall, signifying direct interaction with vital organs. Exposure to GO resulted in increased zebrafish mortality and impaired reproductive performance, particularly through trophic transfer. These findings emphasize the urgent need to address nanomaterial contamination in aquatic food webs to protect ecosystem components and human consumers. Our study highlights the importance of developing effective mitigation strategies to preserve the integrity of aquatic ecosystems, ensure resource sustainability, and safeguard human well-being. In conclusion, our study provides crucial insights into the impact of nanomaterial pollution on aquatic biota. By recognizing the challenges posed by nanomaterial contamination and implementing targeted interventions, we can mitigate the adverse effects, preserving the integrity of aquatic ecosystems and safeguarding human health.
Bridging the Gap: Advancing Ecological Risk Assessment from Laboratory Predictions to Ecosystem Reality
(ACS Publications, 2024-10-07) 廖, 伟; Hou, Lin; Liu, Na; Xu, Jian; Zhang, Xiaowei; Hollert, Henner; Johnson, Andrew; Giesy, John; Wu, Fengchang
The evolution of ecological risk assessment (ERA) for contaminants has been a topic that has continued to evolve over the past 30 years, but it is important to ask ourselves whether it remains up to date. Initially, the process focused on sub-individual end points; ERA has since expanded to encompass landscape-level analyses. After focusing entirely on single substances, we now recognize the reality of exposure to contaminant mixtures. Assessment techniques have progressed from a simplistic risk quotient method to more sophisticated probabilistic approaches as the library of chemical monitoring and toxicity test data has expanded. The probabilistic approaches, where they can be applied, have reduced uncertainty, yet the link to real outcomes in the field is rarely established.
Chronic radium-226 bioaccumulation and toxicity in the aquatic invertebrate Daphnia magna
(Springer, 2025-01-06) Lacroix-Durand, Charlotte; Janz, David; Liber, Karsten
Mining operations in Canada, including uranium mining and milling, generate by-products containing radionuclides, including radium-226 (226Ra), a long-lived, bioaccumulative calcium (Ca2+) analog. Despite strict discharge regulations, there is limited evidence to suggest that current thresholds for 226Ra adequately protect aquatic organisms. Furthermore, Canada lacks a federal water quality guideline for 226Ra, underscoring the need for protective limits to safeguard aquatic ecosystems. Hence, this research aimed to generate data on 226Ra toxicity to the model aquatic invertebrate Daphnia magna. For this purpose, two 21-day chronic toxicity tests with D. magna were conducted, with survival and reproduction as the endpoints, as well as a reduced water hardness experiment, a multigenerational study, and a bioaccumulation assay. These experiments demonstrated that a high activity concentration (nominal 50 Bq/L) of 226Ra can significantly impact the survival of D. magna. 226Ra was also found to bioaccumulate in D. magna with a BAF of 72.8. Since the Canadian Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (MDMER) monthly mean effluent limit is currently set at 0.37 Bq 226Ra /L, the limit for composite samples at 0.74 Bq/L 226Ra, and the limit for grab samples at 1.11 Bq/L 226Ra, it is unlikely that toxic effects to aquatic cladocerans like D. magna from 226Ra will be observed downstream of Canadian mines and mills.
Chronic Radium-226 Toxicity to and Oxidative Stress in the Aquatic Invertebrate Chironomus dilutus
(Oxford University Press, 2025-01-12) Lacroix-Durand, Charlotte; Janz, David; Liber, Karsten
The mining industry, including uranium mining and milling, is of high importance in Canada. It is, however, important to consider that ore processing can result in the creation of by-products that contain radionuclides such as radium-226 (226Ra). Even with the strict discharge regulations in place, there is limited evidence to suggest that the current Canadian regulatory thresholds for 226Ra are protective for aquatic life. This concern underscores the importance of generating toxicity data for 226Ra, as no federal Canadian water quality guidelines for 226Ra currently exist to safeguard aquatic ecosystems. The potential ecological risks of 226Ra are significant due to its high mobility under typical environmental conditions, long half-life (t1/2 ~ 1,600 years), bioaccumulative properties, and similarity to calcium (Ca2+). Considering this, the primary objective of this research was to gather data on the toxicity of 226Ra to the aquatic invertebrate Chironomus dilutus. For this purpose, a partial life cycle experiment was conducted, with larval growth, survival and pupation, and emergence and sex ratio of emerged adults, as the experimental endpoints. In addition, an assessment of oxidative stress as a potential cause of toxicity was performed. These experiments revealed that elevated activity concentrations of 226Ra (25.5 Bq/L) can significantly impact the growth of C. dilutus. However, none of the other nonlethal endpoints were significantly affected by 226Ra exposure, and there was no evidence of oxidative stress in exposed C. dilutus. Finally, 226Ra was shown to adsorb onto the silica sand used as a substrate for all experiments and desorbed following acid extraction.
Enhancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Canadian Forest Sector
(Free to Grow in Forestry, 2023-07) Boakye-Danquah, John; Reed, Maureen; Egunyu, Felicitas; Machado, Natasha; Addy, Sarita Naa Akuye; Wyatt, Stephen
A report on the experiences of underrepresented groups in Canada’s Forest Sector: focus on opportunities, barriers, challenges & recommendations for action
Trophic magnification rates of eighteen trace elements in freshwater food webs
(Science of The Total Environment, 2024-12) Pelletier, Alexander R.; Villamarin, Francisco; Campos-Silva, João V.; Scabin, Andressa B.; Doig, Lorne E.; Jardine, Timothy D.
Trace elements play diverse roles in animal physiology ranging from essential micronutrients to potent toxicants. Despite animals accumulating many trace elements through their diets, relationships between trophic positions and biological concentrations of most trace elements remain poorly described. We report trophic transfer rates of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V, and Zn from 31 freshwaters located in distinct biogeographic regions. Elemental concentrations and stable nitrogen isotope ratios (proxies for trophic position) were determined in zooplankton, molluscs, insects, and fishes from all sites. Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) were calculated as the mean fraction of each element that transferred from prey to predators at each site. TMFs >1 indicate biomagnification and TMFs <1 indicate biodilution. Mercury was the only biomagnifying element (median TMF = 3.77), and selenium neither biomagnified nor biodiluted (median TMF = 1.01). All 16 remaining elements biodiluted, with median TMFs ranging from 0.07 (uranium) to 0.60 (thallium). We used a model selection procedure to determine whether intrinsic physical and chemical elemental properties explained differences in TMFs among elements. Elements with high covalent bonding indices (Q) had marginally greater TMFs than elements with low Q values. Based on their high Q values, we recommend investigation into the trophic transfer rates of ten additional trace elements, some of which may biomagnify through some aquatic food webs. The high variability in TMFs within elements suggests that ecological factors are likely more important than intrinsic elemental properties at determining elemental TMFs.
Assessing the Readiness and Capacity of Biosphere Regions to Implement Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - A Desktop Review
(2024-09) Boakye-Danquah, John; Marfo, Crenda O
This report present the findings of a desktop review sponsored by the TRANSECTS to examine the readiness and capacity of Biosphere Regions (BR) in Canada and other conservation organizations to implement Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). The search was limited to broad EDI considerations focusing on terms such as “equity”, “diversity”, “equality”, “inclusion”, “accessibility”, “justice”, “minority”, “reconciliation”, “SDG 5” and “SDG 10”. The findings revealed that majority of BRs and similar conservation organizations are actively engaging in reconciliation efforts. These efforts include collaborative planning with Indigenous communities, acknowledging traditional territories, providing services for Indigenous youth, and incorporating Indigenous knowledge into conservation and sustainability initiatives. The integration of EDI varies across BRs. Twelve BR websites included at least one reference to an EDI term, while five did not mention EDI terms. Key findings include: 66% of BRs referenced "diversity," primarily highlighting the inclusion of cultural knowledge in work practices and ensuring diverse representation among staff, board members, and volunteers. 28% of BRs mentioned "inclusion" as a core value, particularly in hiring practices, community engagement, and knowledge creation. 22% of BRs integrated "equity" into mission and vision statements, focusing on improving recruitment, promoting economic fairness, and ensuring justice for diverse community needs. Some also emphasized internal equity initiatives for staff. Only 6% of BRs referenced "accessibility," acknowledging the need for accommodations for people with disabilities in hiring practices. 22% of BRs referenced SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). BRs primarily emphasized Indigenous Peoples and Youth in their equity efforts. Other equity groups, including women, people with disabilities, racialized/visible minorities, older adults, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, received comparatively less focus from BRs.
Behind the scenes with genomics researchers
(Frontiers in Genetics, 2024-12) Mont'Alverne, Renata; Bradford, Lori; Buckmaster, Cheryl; Strickert, Graham; MacLean, Jason; Dupont, Diane
Although lab-coat genomics scientists are highly skilled and involved in pioneering work, few studies have examined their perceptions on what they do, and how they relate with others in interdisciplinary work. Recognizing that gap, we were curious to talk with scientists about their current work and positionalities related to the use of genomics for bioremediation. Using unstructured open-ended interviews and thematic analysis, we interviewed researchers with diverse genomics-related expertise. Emerging topics were grouped into two broad categories akin to Bronfenbrenner’s nested developmental model: microsystem matters, comprising technical advances, barriers, and localized concerns; and macrosystem matters, exploring wider reflections and the philosophies of genomics and society. At the microsystem level, findings revealed differences of opinion about methodological steps, but there was agreement about the incompleteness of databases and the absence of established reference values. These two problems may not only impact a project’s progress but also the ability to gauge success, affecting budgeting, human resource needs, and overall stress. At the macrosystem level, scientists voiced concerns about how different social groups perceive and accept genomics applications, as those tend to be viewed by lay persons as genetic interventions. Another focus was on how academic publication slows progress because it is orientated toward positive results while gaps in knowledge could be filled by publishing negative results or methodological barriers. This study underscores scientists’ self-awareness within the genomics discipline, acknowledging how their beliefs and biases shape research outcomes. It illuminates critical reflections essential for navigating societal and scientific landscapes in genomics research.
Exploring energy transition narratives through mayoral insights using artificial intelligence
(Elsevier, 2024-12-21) Ahmed, Fatma; Ahmed, Rwan; Poelzer, Greg; Poelzer, Gregory; Söderberg, Charlotta; Zapata, Oscar; Guilmette, Elaina
This paper explores energy transition dynamics in three Arctic cities: Luleå (Sweden), Fairbanks (Alaska), and Yellowknife (Canada), with a focus on sustainable urban development. Semi-structured interviews with the mayors of these cities provide insights into their decision-making processes and strategies regarding energy transitions. Using Natural Language Processing (NLP) for semantic analysis, the study uncovers implicit priorities, challenges, and aspirations from the qualitative data. The analysis is guided by the theory of planned behavior, which helps to explain the underlying motivations, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control that influence policy decisions. Results reveal common themes such as balancing environmental goals with economic and social concerns, while also highlighting context-specific challenges in each city. This research contributes to the understanding the role of municipal leadership in energy transitions and demonstrates the effectiveness of NLP techniques in extracting meaningful insights from interviews. The findings aim to inform policymakers and urban planners on fostering sustainable energy transitions in Arctic regions.
“Are you prepared or not?”: An intersectional analysis of a community-engaged climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning process with Tsáá? Ché Ne Dane
(Environmental Science and Policy, 2024-12-30) Sidloski, Michaela; Reed, Maureen; Andrews-Key, Sheri
Intersectional analyses of climate hazards have demonstrated that social dimensions play important roles in how people experience and respond to climate change and extreme weather events. Despite these insights, inter- sectional scholarship has faced criticism around its theoretical orientation and the resulting challenges of doing applied intersectional research to understand social dimensions of climate change. This article demonstrates the value of an intersectional feminist lens to community-level planning for climate change. Working with an Indigenous community in northern British Columbia, Canada, the research revealed that social dimensions including culture, age, gender, and spirituality combined in distinct and various ways to influence how the community framed the problem of climate change, expressed agency, understood impacts and vulnerability, and proposed responses. Attending to these dimensions throughout a community-engaged climate change vulnera- bility assessment and adaptation planning process illuminated differences among groups, while also exposing shared goals and areas of overlap among diverse perspectives and worldviews. Beyond exposing commonalities, consistent consideration of social dimensions also enhanced local adaptive capacity and shaped the planning and decision-making process by informing project framing and design, methods selection and participant recruit- ment, and developing meaningful outputs. We use this evidence to demonstrate the practical application of an intersectional lens and to explain how embedding consideration of social dimensions within climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning processes can produce better contextualization, greater buy-in, and more meaningful outcomes for communities across Canada and beyond.
Connecting hydrological modelling and forecasting from global to local scales: Perspectives from an international joint virtual workshop
(Journal of Flood Risk Management, 2023) Dasgupta, Antara; Arnal, Louise; Emerton, Rebecca; Harrigan, Shaun; Matthews, Gwyneth; Muhammad, Ameer; O'Regan, Karen; Pérez-Ciria, Teresa; Valdez, Emixi; van Osnabrugge, Bart; Werner, Micha; Buontempo, Carlo; Cloke, Hannah; Pappenberger, Florian; Pechlivanidis, Ilias G; Prudhomme, Christel; Maria-Helena, Ramos; Salamon, Peter
The unprecedented progress in ensemble hydro-meteorological modelling and forecasting on a range of temporal and spatial scales, raises a variety of new challenges which formed the theme of the Joint Virtual Workshop, ‘Connecting global to local hydrological modelling and forecasting: challenges and scientific advances’. Held from 29 June to 1 July 2021, this workshop was co-organised by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the Copernicus Emergency Management (CEMS) and Climate Change (C3S) Services, the Hydrological Ensemble Prediction EXperiment (HEPEX), and the Global Flood Partnership (GFP). This article aims to summarise the state-of-the-art presented at the workshop and provide an early career perspective. Recent advances in hydrological modelling and forecasting, reflections on the use of forecasts for decision-making across scales, and means to minimise new barriers to communication in the virtual format are also discussed. Thematic foci of the workshop included hydrological model development and skill assessment, uncertainty communication, forecasts for early action, co-production of services and incorporation of local knowledge, Earth observation, and data assimilation. Connecting hydrological services to societal needs and local decision-making through effective communication, capacity-building and co-production was identified as critical. Multidisciplinary collaborations emerged as crucial to effectively bring newly developed tools to practice.
FROSTBYTE: a reproducible data-driven workflow for probabilistic seasonal streamflow forecasting in snow-fed river basins across North America
(Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 2024-09) Arnal, Louise; Clark, Martyn P.; Pietroniro, Alain; Vionnet, Vincent; Casson, David R; Whitfield, Paul; Fortin, Vincent; Wood, Andrew; Knoben, Wouter; Newton, Brandi W; Walford, Colleen
Seasonal streamflow forecasts provide key information for decision-making in fields such as water supply management, hydropower generation, and irrigation scheduling. The predictability of streamflow on seasonal timescales relies heavily on initial hydrological conditions, such as the presence of snow and the availability of soil moisture. In high-latitude and high-altitude headwater basins in North America, snowmelt serves as the primary source of runoff generation. This study presents and evaluates a data-driven workflow for probabilistic seasonal streamflow forecasting in snow-fed river basins across North America (Canada and the USA). The workflow employs snow water equivalent (SWE) measurements as predictors and streamflow observations as predictands. Gap-filling of SWE datasets is accomplished using quantile mapping from neighboring SWE and precipitation stations, and principal component analysis is used to identify independent predictor components. These components are then utilized in a regression model to generate ensemble hindcasts of streamflow volumes for 75 nival basins with limited regulation from 1979 to 2021, encompassing diverse geographies and climates. Using a hindcast evaluation approach that is user-oriented provides key insights for snow-monitoring experts, forecasters, decision-makers, and workflow developers. The analysis presented here unveils a wide spectrum of predictability and offers a glimpse into potential future changes in predictability. Late-season snowpack emerges as a key factor in predicting spring and summer volumes, while high precipitation during the target period presents challenges to forecast skill and streamflow predictability. Notably, we can predict lower-than-normal and higher-than-normal streamflows during spring to early summer with lead times of up to 5 months in some basins. Our workflow is available on GitHub as a collection of Jupyter Notebooks, facilitating broader applications in cold regions and contributing to the ongoing advancement of methodologies.
Community Governance for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Development: Lessons from Northern and Indigenous Energy Projects
(The Northern Review, 2024) Iakovleva, Mariia
Remote Indigenous communities in northern Canada often suffer from energy insecurity and energy poverty. In developing local clean energy production, there is an obvious benefit for government and industry partnering with these communities. However, the record of these partnerships is poor, with some failing to produce the expected benefits and others failing to get off the ground at all. This article is based on a study of four case studies of renewable energy projects in Indigenous communities in northern Saskatchewan and Alberta, in which I interviewed community project leaders to understand why these communities were interested in energy projects, what they hoped to achieve, and their experience with their partners. I also interviewed government and industry partners. While the results underline the importance of Indigenous intermediaries who can move easily between the communities and the larger energy production context, they also reveal a fundamental misalignment of expectations between Indigenous communities and their partners. Recent discussions about the potential for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in remote communities have generally focused on features of the technology rather than on aspects of the social context of Indigenous communities. I argue that, for communities to fully understand the advantages and drawbacks of this technology, much more attention needs to be paid to the construction of a safe space where communities can frame the discussion within Indigenous world views and lived experience. I offer some policy suggestions for how this space can be constructed and protected.
Remote Sensing of Chlorophyll-a in Clear vs. Turbid Waters in Lakes
(Remote Sensing, 2024-09) Fendereski, Forough; Creed, Irena; Trick, Charles G
Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), a proxy for phytoplankton biomass, is one of the few biological water quality indices detectable using satellite observations. However, models for estimating Chl-a from satellite signals are currently unavailable for many lakes. The application of Chl-a prediction algorithms may be affected by the variance in optical complexity within lakes. Using Lake Winnipeg in Canada as a case study, we demonstrated that separating models by the lake’s basins [north basin (NB) and south basin (SB)] can improve Chl-a predictions. By calibrating more than 40 commonly used Chl-a estimation models using Landsat data for Lake Winnipeg, we achieved higher correlations between in situ and predicted Chl-a when building models with separate Landsat-to-in situ matchups from NB and SB (R2 = 0.85 and 0.76, respectively; p < 0.05), compared to using matchups from the entire lake (R2 = 0.38, p < 0.05). In the deeper, more transparent waters of the NB, a green-to-blue band ratio provided better Chl-a predictions, while in the shallower, highly turbid SB, a red-to-green band ratio was more effective. Our approach can be used for rapid Chl-a modeling in large lakes using cloud-based platforms like Google Earth Engine with any available satellite or time series length.
Continental-scale nutrient and contaminant delivery by Pacific salmon
(Nature, 2024-10-09) Brandt, Jessica E.; Wesner, Jeff F.; Ruggerone, Gregory; Jardine, Timothy D; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.; Ruso, Gabrielle E.; Stricker, Craig A.; Voss, Kristofor A.; Walters, David M.
The movement of large amounts of nutrients by migrating animals has ecological benefits for recipient food webs that may be offset by co-transported contaminants. Salmon spawning migrations are archetypal of this process, carrying marine-derived materials to inland ecosystems where they stimulate local productivity but also enhance contaminant exposure. Pacific salmon abundance and biomass are higher now than in the last century, reflecting substantial shifts in community structure8 that probably altered nutrient versus contaminant delivery. Here we combined nutrient and contaminant concentrations with 40 years of annual Pacific salmon returns to quantify how changes in community structure influenced marine to freshwater inputs to western North America. Salmon transported tonnes of nutrients and kilograms of contaminants to freshwaters annually. Higher salmon returns (1976–2015) increased salmon-derived nutrient and contaminant inputs by 30% and 20%, respectively. These increases were dominated by pink salmon, which are short-lived, feed lower in marine food webs than other salmon species, and had the highest nutrient-to-contaminant ratios. As a result, the delivery of nutrients increased at a greater rate than the delivery of contaminants, and salmon inputs became more ecologically beneficial over time. Even still, contaminant loadings may represent exposure concerns for some salmon predators. The Pacific salmon example demonstrates how long-term environmental changes interact with nutrient and contaminant movement across large spatial scales and provides a model for exploring similar patterns with other migratory species.

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