Student Research

Engaging residents in the source separation of organic household waste

Itzeck, Helene (2021-03-05)

This research used a multi-case study design to explore approaches used by seven Canadian municipalities to engage residents in the source separation of organic (SSO) household waste. The data is based exclusively on the ...

Assessment of a constructed wetland pilot of mine impacted water at the closed Nickel Plate Mine, British Columbia, Canada

Bell, Vanessa Tara (2021-01-26)

The use of a water treatment plant for treating thiocyanate, nitrates, weak acid dissociable cyanide, and ammonia at the Nickel Plate Mine has been ongoing since mine closure in 1996. This process, although effective, ...

Young women’s relationship to media representations of girls and women in STEM

Bemrose, Madeline Rebecca (2021-01-05)

A body of research has examined some of the reasons why there are fewer women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) related careers than men. Research shows that young boys and girls start off having similar ...

An appreciative inquiry of youths’ experiences in the national service-learning program Ocean Bridge

Straughan, Nicole Ann (2020-12-22)

Human actions may compromise the health and the social, ecological, and economic value of the ocean. In response, Ocean Wise, an ocean conservation organization, launched a national service-learning program, Ocean Bridge, ...

An aesthetics of consumption : how trash becomes transformative through participatory arts-based research

Gill, Véronica (2020-12-15)

At a time where the scale of our environmental challenges is becoming increasingly evident and our fate is at risk, human beings’ collective ability to effect the changes that could mitigate consumptive behaviour is still ...

Sustainability analysis of the VOCs abatement solution proposed by SunHub Inc. for small and medium enterprises in the furniture industry in China

Zhao, Joan (2020-12-11)

China’s rapid economic growth in the past four decades has led to serious negative impacts on ambient air quality. Studies identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as the major cause of smog, which harms both human health ...

Determination of the most effective technologies in methane emissions reduction for oil sands operations in Alberta, Canada

Doan-Prévost, Julie (2020-12-03)

Several regulatory policies have been implemented in the past five years on methane mitigation and oil sands industry emission in Alberta, Canada; however, most effective technologies in methane reduction remain to be ...

Anaerobic digestion enhancement : impact on the volatile solids reduction and biogas production within municipal anaerobic digestion systems via routine bioaugmentation with a biocatalytic microbial and enzyme consortium

Lee, Jonathan Raymond (2020-12-02)

Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) frequently use anaerobic digestion (AD) to break down organics to reduce the total volume of biosolids produced. As population increases, cost of biosolids disposal increases while ...

Restoring anthropogenic fires to Garry oak ecosystems : a case study from Tumbo Island North

Botica, Tony (2020-11-27)

This research is focused at the sites of Tumbo Island North and Tumbo Cliff (both on Tumbo Island within the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve [GINPR]), with supplemental data from Rocky Point Department of National Defense ...

Issues and challenges associated with tidal power as a greenhouse gas reduction strategy for remote diesel-dependent communities along British Columbia’s West Coast

Dahlquist-Axe, Hannah (2020-11-18)

In British Columbia (BC), Canada, a majority of electricity is produced and distributed by the crown corporation BC Hydro, which sources 90% of their power from hydroelectric generation. However, many remote areas around ...

Emotionally supportive environmental education in practice : the meaning of workshop experiences

Waddell, Roberta (2020-11-03)

Threats to life on Earth, such as climate change and loss of biodiversity, are putting the long-term survival of many species in question, including humans. Unfortunately, individuals and communities can experience ...

Biosurfactant enhanced bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in weathered drilling waste

Keller, Troy Brendan, Hugh (2020-10-20)

Mismanagement of hydrocarbon-based drilling waste from oil and gas operations is a concern in Alberta and around the world. Their disposal in landfills is a commonly used practice which represents an unsustainable risk ...

Testing infrared technology to locate active migratory bird nests

Gustafson, Brian Allen (2020-10-05)

The Migratory Birds Convention Act of 1994 prohibits the destruction of migratory bird nests (incidental take), requiring industry to avoid activities that may put nesting birds at risk. Active nest surveys currently used ...

Urban forest values and willingness to volunteer : a case study of New Westminster, Canada

Peerless, Sarah Joanne (2020-09-26)

Many urban forests across North America are experiencing a rapid decline in canopy cover due to development, disease and climate change. Municipalities are developing management strategies to protect and grow existing ...

Landfill leachate : an alternative water source for Alberta oil and gas development

Robertson-Baldwin, Kerry (2020-09-25)

The Alberta oil and gas industry continually seeks ways to reuse wastewaters within the context of environmental regulations. This thesis examines the use of landfill leachate as an alternative source to freshwater in the ...

Mechanical treatment of sandy clay soils in winter conditions for the reduction of hydrocarbon contaminant concentrations

Keyes, Hayley (2020-09-05)

The remediation of soils returns contaminated land to productive use and protects the environment and human health. As many as 60% of contaminated sites in Canada are impacted by Petroleum Hydrocarbons (PHCs) and many ...