http://hdl.handle.net/1974/1858 Fri, 24 May 2013 13:28:38 GMT 2013-05-24T13:28:38Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7978 Title: Risk of Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Project to Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) Authors: Power, Helen Abstract: Eulachon, (Thaleichthys pacificus), is an anadromous species that spawns in the Kitimat River, British Columbia. The proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline travels alongside this waterway and will put this species at risk. Eulachon are a unique species, and are important to freshwater and riparian ecosystems. Spawning runs occur at the end of winter, and they provide marine-derived nutrients that are essential to the functioning of these ecosystems. Species such as bears, gulls, eagles, and piscivorous fish all rely on eulachon for sustenance. The status of the central BC population of eulachon is “critically endangered”, with Kitimat River populations being “virtually extirpated” with fewer than 1000 members per run. Since 1992, eulachon runs of the Kitimat River have dropped substantially, and an oil spill at the most inopportune time could potentially eliminate this population. Haisla First Nations rely on eulachon runs for food, social, and ceremonial purposes. The elimination of these populations would have devastating effects on their way of life. The pipeline project puts eulachon at risk during all life stages; eulachon may be exposed as embryos incubating in the Kitimat River, as juveniles in the Kitimat Arm of the Douglas Channel, or as spawning adults running up the Douglas Channel. Should there be a tanker spill in the ocean, adult eulachon may also be exposed. There has been no research into the toxicological effects of crude oil or bitumen on eulachon during any life stage. Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are three species that are most similar to eulachon. Toxicity of crude oil to pink salmon and Pacific herring embryos is observed at concentrations as low as 18 µg/L and 0.4 µg/L respectively. Liver lesions are observed in pink salmon juveniles exposed to ≥ 25 µg/L crude oil. Adult Pacific herring exposed to crude oil exhibit immunosuppression. Eulachon may have similar effects upon exposure to diluted bitumen. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7978 2013-04-29T04:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7581 Title: Comparing Two Remediation Alternatives for Diesel-Contaminated Soil in the Arctic Using Life Cycle Assessment Authors: Bolton, Madelaine Abstract: Contaminated sites in the Arctic pose risks to the environment and human health, and provide a major challenge to scientists attempting to carry out remediation on these sites. This project examines background information on the Arctic, the unique challenges that the Arctic poses for remediation, the types of remediation technologies that can be applied to the Arctic, and how life cycle assessment can be used to determine the effectiveness of remediation in the Arctic. This information is then applied to a theoretical case study involving remediation of a diesel spill within the city limits of Iqaluit, Nunavut. A simplified life cycle assessment is used to examine the benefits and drawbacks of landfarming within Iqaluit city limits versus shipping contaminated soil south to a landfill. This assessment is accomplished through comparison of toxicity to those involved in the remediation, length of time required for remediation, CO2 output from the remediation itself, and economic benefits to the community. Landfarming was found to be the better technique overall, as it has lower CO2 production and has greater financial benefits to the community of Iqaluit. However, it is a more time consuming process, and may result in higher toxicity due to volatilization of diesel. Tue, 09 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7581 2012-10-09T04:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7104 Title: 20/20 Hindsight: Examining the challenges of implementing an SEA-type policy framework in Ottawa, Ontario Authors: Clark, Alan Abstract: Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is a policy tool for creating environmentally and socially responsible policies, plans and programs. This unconventional policy development tool presents challenges to governing bodies accustomed to traditional EIA-based processes of policy creation. Obstacles to the implementation of SEA-type policy frameworks at the level of municipalities in the province of Ontario, Canada are examined through analysis of two case studies. The Regional Municipality of York’s experiences with implementing SEA are used to present a generally positive example of policy development and implementation, while the City of Ottawa’s concurrent efforts in creating a sustainability-based policy environment serve to illustrate the pitfalls of developing unconventional policy using conventional methods. A forward-thinking and open-minded municipal government, such as is found in the York Region case, is found to be essential to the implementation of progressive policy measures such as SEA. It is also found that, in the Ottawa case study, failure to fully integrate the principles of SEA into all tiers of the City’s governance structure may have contributed to policy failure. Finally, the York Region case demonstrates the vital role played by both internal government figures and external players in driving policy implementation and ensuring the success of SEA-type policy. Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7104 2012-04-24T04:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/6550 Title: Considerations in Intervention Design to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution from Cooking with Biomass Authors: Siemiatycki, Emma Abstract: The compilation of the two chapters of this report ultimately conveys an optimistic message, albeit one threaded with caution. Chapter 1 expounds the impact of those more common interventions on particulate emissions and concentrations and displays their potential to substantially reduce human exposure to pollutants. Chapter 2 then examines the literature available on experiences to date with these various interventions and outlines the predominant issues encountered that hindered their overall success. It herein reveals the deeply intertwined nature of the technological and socio-economic facets of indoor air pollution from cooking and affirms the importance of embracing a holistic approach to addressing the problem by considering not only each issue individually, but also how each affects the others. The local specificity of programme requirements is made evident, as is in turn the need for initiatives to be “robust to existing limits” encountered upon implementation in varying locations and conditions (Jin et al., 2006). Moreover, the highlighted importance of participatory programmes echos the WHO’s (2002) call for interventions that strive to “broaden the range of secure and sustainable choices available” which will then “enable people to devise their own solutions”. As greater numbers of longitudinal studies are carried out that monitor the technical performance of interventions, as well as the socioeconomic and behavioural determinants of their adoption and continued use (Ezzati et al., 2004), more information will be amassed to inform and tailor future programmes as needed. In the meantime, this report provides a starting point for evaluating intervention appropriateness and demonstrates the significance of this assessment to intervention sustainability. Description: A Master’s project submitted to the School of Environmental Studies Queen’s University Kingston, Ontario, Canada June, 2008 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:33:47 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1974/6550 2011-06-13T18:33:47Z