This dataset provides marine bacteriological water quality data for bivalve shellfish harvest areas in Canada (British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec). Shellfish harvest area water temperature and salinity data are also provided as adjuncts to the interpretation of fecal coliform density data. The latter is the indicator of fecal matter contamination monitored annually by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) within the framework of the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP). The geospatial positions of the sampling sites are also provided. These data are collected by ECCC for the purpose of making recommendations on the classification of shellfish harvest area waters. ECCC recommendations are reviewed and adopted by Regional Interdepartmental Shellfish Committees prior to regulatory implementation by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

The Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program provides data and information to track Canada's performance on key environmental sustainability issues. The indicator assesses the recovery trends of species at risk for which final recovery documents and trend information are available. Results should not be interpreted as a measure of recovery success until sufficient time has passed to allow species to recover and to allow enough information to be collected to assess that recovery. The indicator provides a preliminary assessment of whether recovery strategies are working. Information is provided to Canadians in a number of formats including: static and interactive maps, charts and graphs, HTML and CSV data tables and downloadable reports. See the supplementary documentation for the data sources and details on how the data were collected and how the indicator was calculated.

As part of a scientific assessment of critical habitat for boreal woodland caribou (Environment Canada 2011, see full reference in accompanying documentation), Environment Canada's Landscape Science and Technology Division was tasked with providing detailed anthropogenic disturbance mapping, across known caribou ranges, as of 2015. This data comprises a 5-year update to the mapping of 2008-2010 disturbances, and allows researchers to better understand the attributes that have a known effect on caribou population persistence. The original disturbance mapping was based on 30-metre resolution Landsat-5 imagery from 2008 -2010. The mapping process used in 2010 was repeated using 2015 Landsat imagery to create a nationally consistent, reliable and repeatable geospatial dataset that followed a common methodology. The methods developed were focused on mapping disturbances at a specific point of time, and were not designed to identify the age of disturbances, which can be of particular interest for disturbances that can be considered non-permanent, for example cutblocks. The resultant datasets were used for a caribou resource selection function (habitat modeling) and to assess overall disturbance levels on each caribou ranges. Anthropogenic disturbances within 51 caribou ranges across Canada were mapped. The ranges were defined by individual provinces and territories across Canada. Disturbances were remapped across these ranges using 2015 Landsat-8 satellite imagery to provide the most up-to-date data possible. As with the 2010 mapping project, anthropogenic disturbance was defined as any human-caused disturbance to the natural landscape that could be visually identified from Landsat imagery with 30-metre multi-band imagery at a viewing scale of 1:50,000. A minimum mapping unit MMU of 2 ha (approximately 22 contiguous 30-metre pixels) was selected. Each disturbance feature type was represented in the database by a line or polygon depending on their geometric description. Polygonal disturbances included: cutblocks, mines, reservoirs, built-up areas, well sites, agriculture, oil and gas facilities, as well as unknown features. Linear disturbances included: roads, railways, powerlines, seismic exploration lines, pipelines, dams, air strips, as well as unknown features. For each type of anthropogenic disturbance, a clear description was established (see Appendix 7.2 of the science assessment) to maintain consistency in identifying the various disturbances in the imagery by the different interpreters. Features were only digitized if they were visible in the Landsat imagery at the prescribed viewing scale. A 2nd interpreter quality-control phase was carried out to ensure high quality, complete and consistent data collection. For this 2015 update an additional, separate higher-resolution database was created by repeating the process using 15-metre panchromatic imagery. For the 30-metre database only, the line and poly data were buffered by a 500-metre radius, representing their extended zone of impact upon boreal caribou herds. Additionally, forest fire polygons were merged into the anthropogenic footprint in order to create an overall disturbance footprint. These buffered datasets were used in the calculation of range disturbance levels and for integrated risk assessment analysis.

The objective of this experiment was to expose plants to a mixture of the three most common and widely used Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in soils: lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd) and cerium (Ce). It was hypothesized that plant sensitivity to La, Nd and Ce would be additive, and would increase with overall soil REE concentration. In addition, it was hypothesized that REE uptake would be similar for all three REEs (measured concentrations in plants would be equal) if REE soil concentrations were equal (La = Nd = Ce). Deviations in uptake would indicate potential higher risks of one REE over the others. Ny, Ce, and La were tested in soil mixture with doses based on the previously identified IC25 and IC50 values for native plant species (see Experiments 1 and 2). Doses were equal for all REEs in a given dose (i.e. 100 mg/kg Nd, Ce, and La), and followed a geometric progression. Due to the presumed influence of pH and calcium (Ca) on bioavailability and uptake, two soil pH levels (one acidic, one closer to neutral) and two Ca levels were also be tested. Two species were tested: the native common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca as well as the crop tomato, Solanum lycopersicum var. Beefsteak. The full experimental set-up was: 2 soil pH levels x 2 Ca concentrations x 4 REE doses (including controls) x 2 plant species x 6 replicates = 192 pots. The experiment was conducted in NWRC greenhouses of Environment and Climate Canada with plants tested individually in pots. Measured endpoints included germination percent and rates, aboveground and below ground biomass. In addition, to address plant accumulation rates, tissue concentrations (roots and shoots) of the REEs, as well as calcium, were measured. There was no obvious effect of treatment on the overall number of germinating seeds of A. syriaca or S. lycopersicum. Speed of germination of both species was found to be significantly affected by the soil treatments. For A. syriaca, a marginally significant main effect of soil REE dose was found but no main effects for soil pH or soil Ca; however, there was a significant soil pH x soil Ca interaction. Speed of germination of S. lycopersicum was found to be significantly affected by both soil pH and soil total REE concentration but there was no main effect of soil Ca levels, and no significant interactions were identified. Effects of soil parameters (pH, Ca, and REE) on A. syriaca and S. lycopersicum root and shoot biomass were complex. In general, a reduction in biomass was observed at high REE doses but there were multiple interactions with soil pH and Ca. The measured concentrations of each individual REE in plant tissues (both roots and shoots) were found to consistently increase with increasing soil REE dose within a given soil pH, soil Ca treatment. For all treatments, the measured concentration of a given REE was always greater in the roots than in the corresponding shoots. Measured REE soil concentrations tended to follow a consistent pattern of [Ce] > [Nd] > [La] for all soil treatment levels (soil pH, soil Ca, soil REE). However, results for the REE-dosed soils across all soil pH x soil Ca treatments consistently followed a pattern of [La] > [Ce] > [Nd] for both tissues in both species with the only exceptions found for the roots of both A. syriaca and S. lycopersicum in the high soil pH, low Ca, 150 mg REE kg-1 treatment ([Ce] > [La] > [Nd]). The overall result for REE-dosed soils appears to indicate that La may be more readily taken up by plants, followed by Ce and then Nd. All REE control soils were found to contain background levels of the three tested REEs: La (3.16 ± 0.01 mg kg-1 dry soil), Ce 6.94 ± 0.21 mg kg-1 dry soil), and Nd (3.91 ± 0.10 mg kg-1 dry soil). REE recovery rates, calculated as: (measured REE soil concentration – background level concentration)/nominal REE soil concentration, spanned from 93-117%, 98-124%, and 96-127% for La, Ce, and Nd respectively.

Venlafaxine is an antidepressant and anti-anxiety drug that has been detected in municipal wastewater at low concentrations. To assess the potential of this compound to affect the survival, development and reproductive capacity of fish, we exposed Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) over a full lifecycle in a flow-through system to nominal venlafaxine concentrations. During the 167–168 day exposure, no significant changes were observed in survival, or the weights and lengths of Fathead minnows. At maturity, there were no significant differences relative to controls in condition factor, liver-somatic index, or secondary sex characteristics in the venlafaxine exposed male or female fish. Venlafaxine exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations caused no adverse effects in Fathead minnows. This study is the first to assess the potential for effects in fish exposed to the antidepressant venlafaxine over a full lifecycle.

Metals, including some PGEs and REEs, seem to greatly affect pollen formation, viability and germination. Exposure to PGEs occurs largely via aerial deposition along roadsides as well as in long range transport. Plant pollen is thus extremely likely to come into contact with PGEs, including palladium (Pd) and platinum (Pt), as well as cerium (Ce), via aerial emissions. The aim of this study was to determine whether Pd, Pt and Ce affect pollen growth and development in terrestrial plants. It was hypothesized that malformations and inhibitory effects (reduced viability) on pollen would occur if pollen was exposed to these metals. Four species were selected which belonged to four different plant families: Trifolium pratense L. (Fabaceae), Brassica juncea (L.) Czernajew (Brassicaceae), Centaurea cyanus L. (Asteraceae) and Viola arvensis Murray (Violaceae). The experiment was conducted in NWRC greenhouses of Environment and Climate Change Canada. Seeds of each species were sown in a soil mixture and pollen grains were collected at maturity. The medium used for pollen germination differed between species. The basic medium comprised sucrose, boric acid and calcium nitrate in various concentrations as well as polyethylene glycol. Other compounds were added depending on the species: yeast extract, magnesium sulfate, potassium nitrate and/or iron sulfate. Pollen grains freshly collected were mixed with the medium on glass slides. In total, seven doses x six replicates were assessed. After four hour incubation, pollen grains were rated as germinated or not germinated. Pollen germination and tube length were measured on a minimum of 20 pollen grains per drop (replicate). Results showed that all species were affected by Ce exposure to different degrees. Percent germination was observed to decrease in a dose-response manner with increasing Ce concentrations. Consistent effects were observed in all trials with T. pratense and in three trials with V. arvensis. These two species germinated readily when exposed to their respective medium in control replicates. Pollen germination of C. cyanus appeared to also be a sensitive endpoint although large variability in the results was detected in all trials. As observed for C. cyanus, effect on pollen germination was only recorded in one trial for B. juncea, with the effect only present at the highest evaluated dose (24.3 mg Ce L-1). Effects on overall pollen germination in C. cyanus and B. juncea, however, remain difficult to interpret due to the overall low germination rates observed for these species. In contrast, pollen tube length provided more consistent results, and, with the exception for T. pratense, proved to be a more sensitive endpoint for several species tested with Ce. In contrast, Pd only affected T. pratense. Pd exposure did not inhibit pollen germination in any of the species tested. However, Pd did have a negative effect on pollen tube length in T. pratense in two trials. Although only EC10 and EC25 could be determined, Pd appeared to be quite toxic to the species. With regards to Pt, significant effects were found to be erratic in all experiments.

The Bay of Quinte is a long and narrow "Z" shaped inlet located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario. The bay and the surrounding drainage basin were listed as an Area of Concern in 1987 under the GLWQA as 10 of the 14 beneficial use indicators of ecosystem health were deemed impaired. Excess nutrient runoff from agricultural lands, wastewater treatment plants and storm water contributed to extensive algae growth; one of the biggest challenges of the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan was the management of phosphorus loads into the watershed. The goal of this project is to determine the effect of extreme rain events versus base flow on the nutrient levels for two tributaries flowing into the Bay of Quinte. Water quality data and water movement data collected from 2015 to 2018 will contribute towards a knowledge base for evaluating the status of and delisting Bay of Quinte as an Area of Concern, as well as provide a measure of the ecological response to remedial efforts. The dataset consists of phosphorus, nitrogen, & carbon concentrations at the Bay of Quinte for 2 stations for August 26, 2015.

Statistically downscaled multi-model ensembles of projected change (also known as anomalies) in maximum temperature (°C) are available at a 10km spatial resolution for 1951-2100. Statistically downscaled ensembles are based on output from twenty-four Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) global climate models (GCM). Daily maximum temperature from GCM outputs were downscaled using the Bias Correction/Constructed Analogues with Quantile mapping version 2 (BCCAQv2). A historical gridded maximum temperature dataset of Canada (ANUSPLIN) was used as the downscaling target. Projected change in maximum temperature (°C) is with respect to the reference period of 1986-2005. Seasonal and annual averages of projected maximum temperature change to 1986-2005 are provided. Specifically, the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th percentiles of the downscaled ensembles of maximum temperature change are available for the historical time period, 1901-2005, and for emission scenarios, RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, for 2006-2100. Twenty-year average changes in statistically downscaled maximum temperature (°C) for four time periods (2021-2040; 2041-2060; 2061-2080; 2081-2100), with respect to the reference period of 1986-2005, for RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 are also available in a range of formats. The median projected change across the ensemble of downscaled CMIP5 climate models is provided. Note: Projections among climate models can vary because of differences in their underlying representation of earth system processes. Thus, the use of a multi-model ensemble approach has been demonstrated in recent scientific literature to likely provide better projected climate change information.