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Baseline pesticide data for semi-permanent wetlands in the Aspen Parkland of Alberta

Description

Semi-permanent wetlands in the Aspen Parkland eco-region are important habitat for migratory waterfowl and offer valuable habitat for pairing and brood rearing. A water quality study was conducted... More ≫

Description

Semi-permanent wetlands in the Aspen Parkland eco-region are important habitat for migratory waterfowl and offer valuable habitat for pairing and brood rearing. A water quality study was conducted to establish pesticide baseline data for these wetlands. A second objective of this study was to evaluate, at a scoping level, the potential importance of atmospheric loading of pesticides to these wetlands. The literature documents the importance of overland runoff as a pathway of pesticide movement to surface waters, but increasing evidence also points to the importance of atmospheric deposition.

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Evaluation of the anti-oxidant ethylene diurea (EDU) as a protectant against ozone effects on crops (field trials)

Description

Ozone is an important phytotoxic gaseous pollutant and is known or suspected to cause injury in crops, including yield reductions. Studies have been conducted using the antioxidant EDU (ethylene... More ≫

Description

Ozone is an important phytotoxic gaseous pollutant and is known or suspected to cause injury in crops, including yield reductions. Studies have been conducted using the antioxidant EDU (ethylene diurea) in programs aimed at the quantification of the effects of ozone on vegetation. For the present study, a protocol making use of EDU as an antioxidant was designed and implemented at a site near the city limits of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, an area having elevated ozone levels relative to other areas of the province.

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Pesticides in ambient air in Alberta

Description

During this study pesticides were measured at four selected sites. These sites were chosen in consultation with Alberta Environment personnel based on various criteria including geographical... More ≫

Description

During this study pesticides were measured at four selected sites. These sites were chosen in consultation with Alberta Environment personnel based on various criteria including geographical location in the province, pesticide sales data from across the province and use patterns in various pesticides used in the province to control target insects, weeds and plant diseases.

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Technical advice on air pollution control technologies for coal-fired power plants

Description

This document was prepared to summarize technology options currently available, or under develoment, for the reduction of pollutant emissions from coal-fired power plants.

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Site-specific critical loads of acid deposition on soils in the Provost-Esther area, Alberta

Description

In this study, the available methods to derive critical loads are reviewed, and those judged applicable to derivation to site-specific critical loads, are applied to an area in east-central... More ≫

Description

In this study, the available methods to derive critical loads are reviewed, and those judged applicable to derivation to site-specific critical loads, are applied to an area in east-central Alberta (The Provost Esther grid cell or study area). The two specific objectives of this study are development of methodology and estimation of critical load.

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Effects of water temperature and treated pulp mill effluent on survival and growth of Daphnia magna (Cladocera: Daphnidae) and Taenionema (Plecoptera: Taeniopterygidae)

Description

The objective of this report is to determine whether the ecological effects of treated bleached kraft pulp mill effluent on aquatic invertebrates vary with water temperature. To address this... More ≫

Description

The objective of this report is to determine whether the ecological effects of treated bleached kraft pulp mill effluent on aquatic invertebrates vary with water temperature. To address this objective, we initially summarized existing studies that evaluated the interactive effects of water temperature on the toxicity of a variety of compounds to aquatic invertebrates. This review indicated that there is a moderately large amount of information indicating that toxic effects of contaminants or other physicochemical stressors can vary with water temperature. These interactive effects between contaminant concentrations and water temperature raise the issue of whether toxic effects of pulp mill effluents that are typically evaluated at 15oC to 20oC, are representative of those at lower temperatures. This is relevant to rivers receiving pulp mill effluent in Alberta, which have lowest dilution capacity in winter, when water temperatures are near 0oC for five months or more. Our review of...

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Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in plants : the potential use of PAH accumulation as a marker of exposure to air emissions from oil and gas flares

Description

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of complex substances that are produced during incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. PAHs are one component of air emissions from oil and gas... More ≫

Description

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of complex substances that are produced during incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. PAHs are one component of air emissions from oil and gas flares. Although PAHs and other substances released from flares may have environmental effects, it is very difficult to determine the extent of exposure of vegetation to flare emissions, and therefore, it is difficult to measure any effects of these emissions. The Air Research Users Group of Alberta Environment commissioned this review of the scientific literature of PAH accumulation within plant material that occurs following exposure to air containing PAHs. The conclusions of this review will contribute to a decision on whether or not to pursue a field investigation into the use of PAH accumulation in plant parts as a marker of exposure of the plants to emissions from oil and gas flares.

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Ozone protection in plants : the potential use of chemical protectants to measure atmospheric oxidant damage in Alberta crops

Description

This report was commissioned to provide a review and interpretation of the scientific literature that describes the use and effects of chemical ozone protectants. The authors of this report were... More ≫

Description

This report was commissioned to provide a review and interpretation of the scientific literature that describes the use and effects of chemical ozone protectants. The authors of this report were asked to determine if there was sufficient information available on these substances to warrant a field evaluation of their use. This was done as part of Alberta Environment's efforts to determine if ozone has the potential to cause negative (or positive) effects on plants in the province, with a focus on agricultural crops.

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Evaluation of methods for determining NH3 and N2O emissions from soil applied manure

Description

Ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions from soils with manure application have potential impacts on air quality and greenhouse effects. This report evaluates the measurement schemes and describes the... More ≫

Description

Ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions from soils with manure application have potential impacts on air quality and greenhouse effects. This report evaluates the measurement schemes and describes the development of measuring protocols for ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions from soil treated with cattle or hog manure, and consists of theoretical considerations for a new equation and its application.

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Market assessment of the native plant industry in Western Canada

Description

The native plant industry in Alberta has been in existence since the 1970s. Interest in the industry has grown along with increased public awareness about the need to protect the natural... More ≫

Description

The native plant industry in Alberta has been in existence since the 1970s. Interest in the industry has grown along with increased public awareness about the need to protect the natural environment and also with changes in land management policies by public agencies. This has also led to increased demand for information on growing and marketing of native plants. The objective of this project was to complete a market assessment of the native plant industry in the western Canadian provinces by collecting the following information: seed sources, current market demand and future production of native plant materials, the geographical areas where the plant material is used, the market value of the industry, species in demand, the original genetic source of native plant material, and obstacles affecting the industry.

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