Article
Geology
Yohan Letourmy, Steven G. Driese, Justin R. Sims
Summary: During the Late Paleozoic Ice Age, the Cumberland Basin in Nova Scotia experienced rapid subsidence and accumulated kilometer-thick fluvial sedimentary units derived from highlands to the northwest and southeast. The different soil lithologies at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs suggest alternating conditions between well-drained floodplain environments and water saturation environments.
JOURNAL OF SEDIMENTARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geology
Wenbin Tang, Georgia Pe-Piper, David J. W. Piper, Anqing Chen, Mingcai Hou, Zhaojie Guo, Yuanyuan Zhang
Summary: Upper Palaeozoic lacustrine basin deposits are important records for evaluating global palaeoclimate changes and local tectonism. The Tournaisian Horton Group in Nova Scotia reveals the interplay of local tectonism and global climatic controls on lacustrine sedimentation, with sedimentary responses to frequent earthquakes and changes in lake level and sediment supply influenced by long-term and short-term climatic cycles.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Georgia Pe-Piper, David J. W. Piper
Summary: This study explores the controls on the distribution of barite in the shear zone in southern Canada through field relationships, vein petrography, and isotope geochemistry of minerals. The results show that the barite in the region has similar isotope chemistry to the Pb-Zn-Mn-Ba mineralization, indicating a common origin.
Article
Biology
Jennifer A. Clack, Timothy R. Smithson, Marcello Ruta
Summary: A newly discovered tetrapod species from the late Mississippian East Kirkton Limestone exhibits an unusual hindlimb morphology resembling that of early stem amniotes. This discovery adds to the understanding of the diversity of East Kirkton tetrapods and their adaptations to different environments. Different analyses suggest different placement for this species among other Carboniferous groups.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Conrad D. Wilson, Chris F. Mansky, Jason S. Anderson
Summary: A recent discovery of a platysomid occurrence in the Tournaisian of Nova Scotia, Canada represents the earliest known deep-bodied actinopterygian fish, indicating postcranial differentiation of actinopterygians already in the earliest Carboniferous aftermath of the Hangenberg extinction. Furthermore, this specimen suggests that early Carboniferous actinopterygians may have used multiple locomotory modes, with later Carboniferous data showing a proliferation of locomotory modes throughout the Carboniferous era. These findings suggest that early Carboniferous actinopterygians were morphologically, ecologically, and functionally diverse.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Laura V. Minard, Judith Fisher, Larry Broadfield, Gordon Walsh, Ingrid Sketris
Summary: This study examined the use of opioid analgesics in end-of-life cancer patients and identified factors, trends, and patterns associated with the type and dose of opioids dispensed. The results showed that there may have been under-prescribing of opioid medications for some end-of-life cancer patients during the study period. This information can be used to increase awareness among healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies to improve pain management for end-of-life cancer patients.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessie A. McIntyre, Nelson J. O'Driscoll, Ian Spooner, Gregory J. Robertson, John P. Smol, Mark L. Mallory
Summary: Seabirds, especially those scavenging on anthropogenic wastes, play a significant role in the transport of contaminants such as mercury from marine to terrestrial environments. This study found that herring gull breeding colonies in southern Nova Scotia showed higher levels of total mercury in soils compared to nearby reference soils without nesting gulls. The presence of other nesting seabird species, particularly Leach's storm-petrels, likely influenced the levels of total mercury in soils. This research suggests that gulls scavenging on anthropogenic wastes may contribute to the spread of contaminants from industrial sites to their colonies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kimberley A. Taylor, David Risk, James P. Williams, Grant D. Wach, Owen A. Sherwood
Summary: This study investigated the presence of methane in groundwater in the Stellarton Basin, Nova Scotia, Canada, finding that the majority of methane is of microbial origin, with some trace thermogenic gas likely originating from coal mines in the area. The data obtained in this study may be used as baseline information for future coal-bed methane operations in the region.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Myriam Mora, Tony R. Walker, Rob Willis
Summary: Small craft harbours play a vital role in the fishing industry and have significant socioeconomic and cultural importance for surrounding communities. Potential contaminants in harbour sediments can have adverse impacts on marine life, fishing activities, and the local economy. A risk assessment of different classes of contaminants in 31 small craft harbours in Nova Scotia, Canada, found most harbours to have low ecological risk, with only a few showing high risk. Monitoring is recommended to ensure pollution levels do not increase and to identify and control contamination sources.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kristin A. Hart, Gavin W. Kennedy, Shannon M. Sterling
Summary: Increased rates of acid deposition from fossil fuel burning have led to acidification and elevated aluminum levels in freshwaters and soils. This study investigates the distribution of aluminum in groundwater in Nova Scotia, Canada, finding the highest concentrations in areas underlain by specific rock types. Despite few samples exceeding accepted levels, challenges in aluminum treatment in private wells and potential impacts on human health and aquatic life require further attention.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kayla M. Hamelin, M. Aaron MacNeil, Kaitlyn Curran, Megan Bailey
Summary: This article assesses the human dimensions of the recreational mackerel fishery, exploring the operational dimensions and benefits derived from recreational fishing. The results provide insights into the stakeholder community, with many respondents sharing comments and suggestions regarding stock management.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nathalie Saint-Jacques, Patrick E. Brown, Judy Purcell, Daniel G. Rainham, Mikiko Terashima, Trevor J. B. Dummer
Summary: Cancer is a leading cause of death globally, and its burden is increasing. Prevention is a cost-effective and sustainable approach for global cancer control. Understanding the geographic context and the interaction of community and individual level risk factors is crucial for effective cancer prevention.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Francisco Diez-Zamudio, Rodrigo Laytte, Cecilia Grallert, Nedret Neslihan Ivit, Gaston Gutierrez-Gamboa
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the viticultural behavior of two CIHG and three V. vinifera varieties in the Annapolis Valley over three consecutive seasons. The coldest season in 2019 caused a delay in grapevine phenology of at least 18 days for budburst compared to the warmer seasons in 2017 and 2018. L'Acadie showed promising adaptation to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Annapolis Valley.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bryan J. Maciag, James M. Brenan, Michael B. Parsons, Gavin W. Kennedy
Summary: The origin and concentration of arsenic in groundwater in Nova Scotia, Canada vary due to different mineral hosts. Pyrite, which has the highest arsenic concentration, can release arsenic when oxidized. Cordierite, on the other hand, although it has low arsenic concentration, is soluble and could be a previously unrecognized source of arsenic. This study's findings can be used to identify potential sources of arsenic in other granite terranes and reduce exposure through drinking water.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kirsten Ellis, Rosmarie Lohnes, Jeremy Lundholm
Summary: Local nature-based erosion control techniques on slopes in Nova Scotia, Canada, such as mulching with hay and brush and planting native species, have been found effective in reducing soil loss and runoff based on experiments. These techniques, when combined, can significantly reduce soil loss caused by rainfall on slopes, making them suitable as a soft engineering or living shorelines approach for erosion control.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
