Article
Environmental Studies
Marie France Johnson, Martin Lavoie, Katlyn MacKay, Mallory Long, David Risk
Summary: Many jurisdictions are implementing methane reduction policies in the oil and gas industry to reduce unintentional emissions. A study in British Columbia, Canada evaluated the effectiveness of the regulation introduced in 2018 and found low compliance rates. Comprehensive leak detection surveys were more cost efficient and effective in reducing methane leaks compared to screening surveys. To achieve methane reduction targets, recommendations include improving compliance rates, using instrument-based surveys, and implementing independent verification of LDAR operations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Steven F. F. Wilson, Cliff Nietvelt, Shawn Taylor, Daniel A. A. Guertin
Summary: This study used a Bayesian network to predict the habitat suitability of mountain goats in the Canadian Pacific region. The results showed that steep slopes, forest cover characteristics, and snow depth were important drivers of habitat suitability for mountain goats.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Joshua C. S. Purba, Hersh Gilbert, Jan Dettmer
Summary: This study assesses seismicity in the southern Rocky Mountain trench through a temporary network of seismometers, identifying active structures and changes in earthquake distribution and style of deformation. It provides insights into the geometry of subsurface faults and their activity level with a catalog of 47 earthquakes, including horizontal and vertical uncertainty quantification. The seismicity observed suggests a transition from transpression to normal faulting along the length of the trench, with repeating events possibly linked to fluid migration.
SEISMOLOGICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
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
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Fahra Rajabali, Kate Turcotte, Alex Zheng, Nick Pauls, Tony Nguyen, Evelyn Kalman, Vedrana Covic, Ian Pike
Summary: This study quantified the total cost of violent firearm-related offenses in British Columbia from 2012 to 2016, estimating direct costs to the health care system, indirect costs to society, and criminal justice system costs. The study found a total of 108 deaths and 245 hospitalizations resulting from violent firearm injuries, with an average annual cost of $294,378,985. The costs were significantly higher in the criminal justice system than in health care.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Songqiang Xiao, Qingyang Ren, Yugang Cheng, Haiyang Wang, Liang Zhang, Yin Liao, Bin Chen, Honghua Jin, Xin Meng, Haoxin Qin
Summary: This study proposed a drilling and repairing failure drainage borehole technique using high-velocity water jets to break blockage and improve gas drainage efficiency.
GEOMECHANICS AND GEOPHYSICS FOR GEO-ENERGY AND GEO-RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
K. E. Hughes, M. Geertsema, E. Kwoll, M. N. Koppes, N. J. Roberts, J. J. Clague, S. Rohland
Summary: A bathymetric survey of Harrison Lake in southwest British Columbia revealed deposits of three large landslides on the lake floor, with two of them having the potential to generate tsunamis. This study provides an important foundation for further landslide-tsunami hazard analysis in the region, especially for those living along the shoreline of the lake.
Article
Microbiology
Joseph P. P. Nowlan, Ashton N. N. Sies, Scott R. R. Britney, Andrew D. S. Cameron, Ahmed Siah, John S. S. Lumsden, Spencer Russell
Summary: Tenacibaculum is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria found worldwide. This study focused on Tenacibaculum genomes from Norway, Chile, and Canada, specifically their impacts on salmon aquaculture. The researchers used sequencing techniques to select and analyze isolates from Canadian salmon with mouthrot, discovering several known and unknown species of Tenacibaculum with potential virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kerry Schutten, Akshaya Chandrashekar, Madelaine Bourdages, Victoria Bowes, John Elliott, Sandi Lee, Tony Redford, Jennifer Provencher, Claire Jardine, Laurie Wilson
Summary: Since the 1960s, plastic pollution has become one of the most widespread and common forms of pollution globally. However, there is limited knowledge on the ingestion of plastic by terrestrial and freshwater bird species, particularly birds of prey. This study analyzed the gastrointestinal tracts of 234 raptors from 15 species collected between 2013 and 2021, and found that only a small number of individuals had evidence of plastic ingestion. Based on these results, further research on microplastic accumulation in raptors and increasing sample sizes across species is recommended to gain a more comprehensive understanding of plastic ingestion in these birds.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Notice Ringa, Sarafa A. Iyaniwura, Samara David, Mike A. Irvine, Prince Adu, Michelle Spencer, Naveed Z. Janjua, Michael C. Otterstatter
Summary: This study analyzes the relationship between close-contact rates, reported cases, and transmission of COVID-19 in British Columbia, Canada. The results show that contact rates play a significant role in transmission, and an increase in reported cases leads to a decrease in subsequent contact rates.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Yongsheng Wu, Charles Hannah, Pascal Matte, Mitchell O'Flaherty-Sproul, Ruping Mo, Xiaoyi Wang, Phillip MacAulay
Summary: This study investigated the tidal propagation in the Lower Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada using observed data and a hydrodynamic model. The results show that the amplitudes of the principal tides decrease from downstream to upstream and vary with different seasons and locations, strongly correlated with river discharge. The Pitt River and Pitt Lake system is found to be important for tidal propagation in the river channel.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ryan B. B. Shartau, Lenora D. M. Turcotte, Julia C. C. Bradshaw, Andrew R. S. Ross, Blair D. D. Surridge, Nina Nemcek, Stewart C. C. Johnson
Summary: This study investigated the presence of algal toxins in the coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada, and found multiple co-occurring toxins. However, the levels detected were below the regulatory limits for health and recreational use.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fengjie Zhang, Wei Liu, Yueping Qin, Xiangyu Chu, Hao Xu, Fan Wu, Yahui Li
Summary: A new material and technology for coal wall spraying and sealing were developed to block air leakage and improve gas extraction concentration. The application in Hexi Coal Mine demonstrated the feasibility of this technology. Results showed that the new material and technology could increase gas extraction concentration by 26.9 to 43.7%, with a maximum increase multiple of 4.090 times. This technology has the potential to reduce air leakage, enhance pressure difference, and guarantee high-quality gas sources.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lori-jon C. Waugh, Iselle Flores Ruiz, Cheng Kuang, Jian Guo, Jay T. T. Cullen, Maria T. T. Maldonado
Summary: The Strait of Georgia is influenced by both ocean and freshwater, with Cu concentration controlled by mixing dynamics and buffering effects of Cu-binding ligands. The results suggest that the marine life in the Strait of Georgia is not threatened by Cu toxicity due to the presence of effective Cu-binding ligands. Factors such as ligand class, concentration, and temperature play a significant role in Cu speciation.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Alireza Babaie Mahani, Stuart Venables, Honn Kao, Ryan Visser, Michelle Gaucher, Ramin M. H. Dokht, Jeff Johnson
Summary: This study evaluates seismic intensity in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) using data collected by the BC Oil and Gas Commission from 2016-2020, providing an isoseismal map for the Septimus region. The research finds that the intensity of shallow earthquakes decays more rapidly with distance compared to deeper events, highlighting the need for more systematic data collection in the WCSB.
SEISMOLOGICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)