From 1 - 5 / 5
  • Categories  

    Three hybrid vehicles equipped with AMMOS units were deployed during the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games as part of the high-resolution atmospheric monitoring network, the Mesonet, built by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in support of the Games. AMMOS vehicles travelled prescribed routes (often simultaneously) between the Lake Ontario shore in Toronto and suburban/rural areas to the north and west. These three mobile stations collected data in locations where fixed stations cannot, such as along roadways surrounded by large buildings in downtown Toronto known as “urban canyons.” The AMMOS units collected temperature and humidity (aspirated), pressure, wind speed and direction, GPS location and vehicle speed, insolation, and black globe temperature at one-second intervals. The AMMOS vehicles also carried fine particulate air quality sensors, and one AMMOS vehicle carried a prototype AirSENCE air quality sampling system. Note that the Legacy Archive dataset only provides quality-controlled meteorological data averaged at 1-minute intervals. Other data may be obtained by contacting the lead scientist. The AMMOS mobile observations complemented those from the Mesonet, helped monitor weather and air quality conditions during the Games, and thoroughly sampled lake-breeze fronts for study post-Games. Three summer students and 6 ECCC scientists operated the 3 vehicles, mostly in pairs (1 student with 1 scientist). Nearly 10 000 km were travelled over 22 intensive observation days.

  • Categories  

    The Alberta foothills are a primary source of spring runoff into the prairie regions to the east. For this reason, precipitation accumulations in the foothills are vital to prairie water resources. The Foothills Orographic Precipitation Experiment (FOPEX) was initiated in 2002 to study the dynamics of precipitation and its relationship to elevation in the lee of the Rocky Mountains, including the quantification of processes such as the influence of up-slope (easterly) atmospheric flow on precipitation. Six surface meteorological sites were installed in the Alberta Rocky Mountain foothills between Limestone Mountain and Caroline. Data collection began in the fall of 2002 and several sites remained in operation until the spring of 2008. Each surface meteorological site measured accumulating precipitation, snow depth, surface pressure (at 3 sites), temperature, humidity, and wind speed and wind direction. The sites were installed at strategic locations to obtain a transect through various elevations between 1000 and 2200 masl. The meteorological data was collected at a frequency of 30 minutes. Manual snow surveys were completed monthly during the snow accumulation and ablation periods during much of the project (2002 through 2006). Information on FOPEX results can be found in Smith C.D. (2008) The Relationship between Monthly Precipitation and Elevation in the Alberta Foothills during the Foothills Orographic Precipitation Experiment. In: Woo M. (eds) Cold Region Atmospheric and Hydrologic Studies. The Mackenzie GEWEX Experience. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73936-4_10

  • Categories  

    The Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) requires information for risk evaluation of novel CMP3-Priority flame retardants (FRs), whose occurrence and potential toxic effects on birds is unknown. Research will determine concentrations of CMP-priority FRs in terrestrial birds (e.g., peregrine falcons) and evaluate in vivo effects of ≤ 4 Priority FRs utilizing captive quail (McGill). Thus, pending the extent of funding, we will conduct research in the context of an avian AOP that supports CMP3’s current themes: exposure and toxicity, provide novel avian exposure and toxicity data for substances to inform CEPA risk assessment, and support the development of future environmental scientists and risk assessors (e.g., post-doctoral fellow, Melanie Guigueno; graduate student).

  • Categories  

    The present study will address CMP3 priority organic flame retardants (OFRs) in the biotic environment, and the role of photolytic degradation and exposure, and metabolism in the fate of OFRs in model birds, mammals and fish from lab-based and field (e.g. Great Lakes and Arctic) perspectives. Scientists and risk assessors/managers will benefit from this research as to OFR sources, bioavailability and ecosystem behaviour (e.g., fate, food web bioaccumulation/biomagnification and biotic persistence). The characterization the fate and metabolism of CMP3 OFRs in wildlife and fish species will also assist in better understanding of how transformation processes influence temporal and spatial trends in wildlife tissue residue patterns and levels. Results will feed into an AOP framework that is addressing the linkages between molecular, physiological and behavioural effects in birds.

  • Categories  

    The tumor suppressor gene (TP53) is a biomarker of exposure and toxicity of PAHs, or other mutagens and genotoxins. The TP53 pathway regulates gene repair, cellular growth, and apoptosis, following induced genetic damage. We will be using avian (double crested cormorant) models from laboratory egg injection studies to develop these assays. Our goal is to assess the effects of PAH containing mixtures to cormorants in ovo (egg injections), by examining transcriptomics of the TP53 pathway in the embryo. Cormorant eggs will be injected with the PAH mixture, and at pipping. embryos will be sacrificed, genomic DNA extracted from tissues, and sequenced for mRNA to evaluate the TP53 signalling pathway, and the up- or down-regulation of key promoter and regulator genes such as P21, BAX, GADD45, P53R2, and MDM2.