Article
Zoology
Reginald P. Webster, Cory Hughes, Jon D. Sweeney
Summary: The Coleoptera fauna of Prince Edward Island has been poorly known, but a survey using semiochemical-baited traps discovered 295 new species, including a beetle species from the Palaearctic region that is reported for the first time in Canada. This study significantly increases the understanding of the beetle species in the province.
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
Ecology
Jenna Marie Priest, David L. McRuer, Donald T. Stewart, Michael Boudreau, Jason W. B. Power, Gary Conboy, Emily J. Jenkins, Temitope U. Kolapo, Dave Shutler
Summary: Echinococcus spp. tapeworms can cause serious diseases in mammals, with canids as their definitive hosts. E. canadensis was identified in coyotes in Nova Scotia and in moose in Cape Breton Island, indicating the need for further wildlife surveillance and risk assessment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(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
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Carole C. Decalf, Teunis Heyn
Summary: This study focuses on the structure and salt deposition in the central portion of the Scotian Basin, which is associated with magma-rich rifting during the Mesozoic era. By utilizing a high-quality 3D seismic survey and advanced imaging techniques, the researchers were able to image the complex crustal architecture and target sedimentary reservoirs with high resolution. The exploration well drilling confirmed the presence of halite, carnallite, and anhydrite salt in an allochthonous salt sheet, suggesting a rifted basement during salt deposition.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2023)
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)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paul D. Kaufman, Sui Huang, Thoru Pederson
Summary: This conference explored the investigation of nuclear bodies, revealing new findings that confirmed and expanded the understanding of genome activity.
Article
Thermodynamics
Mostafa Mostafavi Sani, Hamid Afshari, Ahmed Saif
Summary: This paper investigates a multi-carrier energy infrastructure for generating energy from municipal solid waste. A two-stage robust optimization model is proposed to minimize the total annual cost of waste-to-energy facility, taking into account uncertainties in heat, electricity, and hydrogen prices, as well as waste supply. The results demonstrate the influence of parameter uncertainties on optimal system design and performance, and showcase the efficacy of the proposed framework for selecting waste-to-energy technologies.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sylvain Charlebois, Marie Le Bouthillier, Janet Music, Janele Vezeau
Summary: This pioneering research establishes a framework for assessing local food consumption in Nova Scotia, Canada. On average, Nova Scotians allocate 31.2% of their food expenditures to locally sourced products. However, this figure may be influenced by participant perspective and is prone to overestimation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Heather Breeze, Shihan Li, Emmaline C. Marotte, James A. Thenault, Jessica Wingfield, Jinshan Xu
Summary: Researchers analyzed acoustic data and vessel traffic data during the COVID-19 pandemic and observed noticeable changes in sound levels and vessel composition, potentially related to pandemic restrictions.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yigit Aydede, Jan Ditzen
Summary: The spatial aspect of viral spread is not as well studied as the temporal aspect, but it is important for anticipating disease incidence and guiding control strategies. This study used a unique dataset from Nova Scotia, Canada to analyze the spatial transmission of influenza-like viruses and identify key regional predictors. The analysis revealed 18 key drivers among 112 regions, each distinguished by unique vulnerability factors. These findings provide insights for implementing targeted public health interventions and allocating resources effectively.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Geology
Lutfi Ersay, John D. Greenough, Kyle P. Larson, Jaroslav Dostal
Summary: The Rare Earth Element (REE) mineralization at Debert Lake in Canada is associated with the Hart Lake-Byers Lake granites. The mineralized zones contain high concentrations of REE as well as other elements. By using a multi-faceted approach, including whole-rock and mineral geochemistry, as well as U-Pb radiometric dating, the researchers were able to uncover the complex processes involved in the formation of REE mineralization and determine the timing of these events.
ORE GEOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
