Geography Symposium
Geography students will be presenting the results of their thesis and research work at a Colloquium on Friday, March 27, 2020 from 1:00-4:00 pm in the University Club (4th Floor Wesley Hall).
All presentations are 20 minutes with 10 minutes for questions.
Catherine Goltz – 1:00–1:30
Michael Kvern – 1:30–2:00
Break – 2:00–2:30
Karla Sewell – 2:30–3:00
Catherine Goltz, Madelynn Perry, Izabella Robak – 3:00–3:30
A. Mann, H. Mhanni, S. Soussi – 3:30–4:00
Catherine Goltz
The effect of nutrients on algal growth and microcystin production in small urban lakes
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nora Casson
Abstract. Cyanobacterial blooms can occur naturally, however have worsened over recent years due to anthropogenic influences, increasing nutrient loading and exacerbating climate change. The magnitude of algal blooms is strongly related to temperature and nutrient concentrations, but the release of toxins from these blooms is a more complex process. Though cyanobacterial blooms rely on the influx of phosphorus into waterbodies, research suggests inorganic and organic forms of nitrogen play a role in the production of toxins within these blooms. The goal of this project is to understand how different forms of nitrogen (nitrate, ammonium and urea) influence the growth of algae and production of microcystin in small urban lakes. The results of this study will improve our understanding of the role nutrients play in toxin release enabling effective management of nutrient runoff.
Michael Kvern
The “joule” of Manitoba: Energy security and resilience in Churchill, Manitoba
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Patricia Fitzpatrick
Abstract. Energy systems in northern and remote communities are vulnerable to a variety of threats and have low resilience. Community energy plans (CEP) provide opportunities to increase resilience by identifying ways to increase sustainability and security. Modelling Churchill’s energy consumption and facilitating a vision for an alternative energy system will inform a CEP. Semi-structured interviews and a workshop explored energy usage, issues, alternatives, and priorities. Energy consumption data are organized and displayed using ArcGIS. Churchill’s energy is 75% fossil fuels and is imported by rail and transmission line. High cost and lack of local control are key challenge identified by participants. The desire for increased efficiency and sustainable, local generation was also identified. This process allows Churchill to reclaim its energy system and serves as an example for other communities.
Adam Dubinsky
Excess sulphate in Dead Horse Creek, Winkler, Manitoba
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bill Buhay
Abstract. Sulphate (SO42-) is an essential nutrient when growing many crops. However, excess SO42- runoff into rivers and streams can cause problems including acidification, heavy metal release, phosphorus remobilization, and methylmercury release in aquatic systems. The city of Winkler, Manitoba uses groundwater for its municipal needs. Some of the wells have a higher SO42- content which is stripped off and discarded into the municipal sewage lagoons which are biannually emptied into an adjacent creek (Dead Horse Creek, DHC). However, sewage lagoon effluent is not the only input source of SO42-. Culvert drainage and soil runoff from agricultural fields also contribute SO42- to DHC. During the summers of 2011, 2012, and 2018 lagoons, culverts, wells, precipitation, soil, and fertilizers were sampled from DHC near Winker, Manitoba. Isotopic compositions (sulfur and oxygen) for all potential SO42- inputs to DHC have been determined. In this study a dual-isotope approach was employed in combination with Stable Isotope Analysis in R (SIAR) Bayesian probability analysis to estimate the contributions of all potential SO42- sources to DHC. The Winkler sewage lagoons were found to be the primary SO42- contributor, an outcome which is directly related to the disposal of concentrated SO42- waste from the Winkler water treatment plant. In addition, runoff of sulphate-based fertilizers (through culverts) was also determined to be a significant contributor of SO42- to DHC. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the City of Winkler’s Waste Water treatment plant incorporate a process to remove the high SO42- concentrations from the lagoons prior to the release of sewage effluent into DHC.
Catherine Goltz, Madelynn Perry, Izabella Robek
Catch my Drift? The Geologic History of North America
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bill Buhay
Abstract. North America has a very complex geologic history due to many past processes influencing its physical structure. The geological evolution of many North American landscapes can be attributed to plate tectonic movements and the cycling of super-continent formations and breakups. These past super-continent cycles (Wilson Cycles) have resulted in a very diverse paleo-geographic and geological history of North America.
A. Mann, H. Mhanni, S. Soussi
How much cold is the Canadian Arctic losing?
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Danny Blair
Abstract. When data about climate change is presented, it is usually with reference to how much warmth is being gained. In the Arctic, where cold is the norm, a more appropriate way to present climate change is by showing how much cold is being lost. We present an analysis of this for several Arctic stations.