MSc Environment and Management Theses
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Developing a conceptual framework to assess the social-ecological resilience of the Canadian agroecosystem
(2022-08-09)There is a pressing need to develop a coherent and appropriate conceptualization of ‘resilience’ in the context of agricultural production as well as a tool for its practical assessment. Here I do both. I use a systematic ... -
An investigation of carbon sequestration, storage capacity, and air pollution removal by trees in the Resort Municipality of Whistler
(2022-08-05)Trees have a considerable ability to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide and improve air quality, including many other valuable ecosystem services. Beyond timber value, trees contribute to other economic benefits that are ... -
Predicting hydrocarbon nuisance odours from petroleum storage tank emissions
(2022-05-05)This study focused on predicting hydrocarbon emissions that may lead to nuisance odour complaints, specifically in Alberta’s Peace River Oil Sands areas. These emissions were calculated from monthly gas production flow ... -
Ecological, social, and economic factors influencing the suitability of a waterbody for walleye stocking with a focus on Alberta, Canada
(2022-04-07)This research provides a framework to evaluate waterbodies in Alberta to determine if walleye stocking will be ecologically appropriate and socially and economically beneficial. Data on ecological requirements and limitations ... -
Methods for fire severity assessments with remotely piloted aircraft systems
(2022-03-12)Fire severity assessments reveal fire’s lasting damage to grassland soil. New methods in remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) and structure-from-motion processing allow for high-resolution models capable of characterising ... -
Distribution and bioaccessibility of metals in soils in public parks in peri-urban Calgary
(2021-12-03)The concentrations and bioaccessibility of metals in peri-urban area of Calgary, Alberta, were assessed. Soil sampling was performed at 48 locations in public parks and playgrounds in peri-urban areas around the City of ... -
A comparison of permafrost landslides in previously glaciated and unglaciated terrain along the Dempster Highway; Eagle Plains, Yukon, and Peel Plateau and Interior Plain, Northwest Territories
(2021-11-17)This thesis examines the areal distribution of retrogressive thaw slumps (RTS) and active layer detachment slides (ALDS) in three areas of the Dempster Highway adjacent to the Richardson Mountains, in Canada’s Northwest ... -
Predicting the ecotoxicological impacts of microplastics in the Northern Salish Sea - a novel approach to marine risk assessment using GIS
(2021-11-16)Microplastics are ubiquitous in the world's oceans and have negatively impacted marine biota and ecosystem health. The Salish Sea, an inland sea ranging from Vancouver to Puget Sound, is an ecologically significant ecosystem. ... -
A comparative life cycle assessment of hydrogen production in British Columbia
(2021-08-27)Hydrogen can play a key role in decarbonizing energy systems and the transition to a low carbon economy. While scaling up hydrogen production plays a critical role in initiating a hydrogen economy, it is also important ... -
Overcoming adversity : promise of recovery of native plants in a temperate wetland community following removal of yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus L.) using benthic barriers
(2021-07-01)Global declines in biodiversity and ecosystem function in wetlands is exacerbated by invasions of invasive plants such as yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus L.). Benthic barrier treatments were recently introduced as a ... -
Assessment of a constructed wetland pilot of mine impacted water at the closed Nickel Plate Mine, British Columbia, Canada
(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, ... -
Determination of the most effective technologies in methane emissions reduction for oil sands operations in Alberta, Canada
(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
(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
(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 ... -
Biosurfactant enhanced bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in weathered drilling waste
(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
(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 ... -
Landfill leachate : an alternative water source for Alberta oil and gas development
(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
(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 ... -
Coral reefs old nemesis- anthropogenic runoff
(2020-08-19)South Coast Marine Park (SCMP) is a marine conservation area with extensive coral reefs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). My study evaluated the land-use changes adjacent the SCMP and the impacts of pollution and ... -
Assessment of spawning platforms constructed to remediate flood damage and Kokanee habitat : the case study of the Powers Creek flood recovery project, West Kelowna, British Columbia
(2020-06-05)Powers Creek, located within West Kelowna, British Columbia (BC) experienced high flows and in channel deposition in the spring of 2017, resulting in damage to public infrastructure and degradation of kokanee salmon ...
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