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Tracking water quality in a changing climate

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-24, 19:53 authored by Clare MillerClare Miller, Huntsman, P, Bouwhuis, RF, Rickwood, CJ
Both the quality and quantity of water in watersheds is expected to be altered due to climate change. However, there is insufficient scientific knowledge to predict how these changes are likely to be manifested. One approach is to look at long-term trends in past data to evaluate changes over time and space (e.g. watershed and regional variability). CanmetMINING, in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada are compiling national and provincial water quality data in areas located close to active and abandoned mine sites. By compiling and examining water quality data over the past couple of decades we aim to determine if baseline water quality is changing over time, which could reflect climate change impacts. This work will help us to identify a number of important observations: 1) Identify indicators – are there specific metals or water quality parameters that show consistent responses to climate change that could be used as ‘indicators’ for future projections. 2) Hot spots – are there specific areas in Canada that are more sensitive to changes in climate? By collaborating with provinces and the federal family this project provides an opportunity to establish a national database that could track and monitor water quality in a changing climate, which would be of use to research organizations, governments as well as offering potential for citizen science applications.

History

Publication title

SETAC North America 40th Annual Meeting

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Event title

SETAC North America 40th Annual Meeting

Event Venue

Toronto, Canada

Date of Event (Start Date)

2019-11-03

Date of Event (End Date)

2019-11-07

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Evaluation, allocation, and impacts of land use; Rehabilitation or conservation of terrestrial environments; Water policy (incl. water allocation)