SCIENCE TEASERS

GROWING FISH

Canada's aquaculture industry is diversifying into new species such as halibut, haddock, striped bass, flounder and eel. Researchers at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, are helping to improve techniques for managing fish broodstock, boosting egg production, enhancing the quality of gametes - germ cells needed for reproduction - and improving ways of transporting fragile eggs. In a full scale production facility, researchers successfully reared more than 10,000 juvenile halibut.

Contact:
Ed Owen,
Fisheries and Oceans,
(613) 990-0210

STORING CARBON IN THE SOIL

Studies at the Lethbridge Research Centre are zeroing in on the effect of soils on the atmosphere. The goal is to measure the contribution of agricultural systems to greenhouse gases and come up with ways to reduce the emissions. In the case of carbon, researchers are developing ways to reverse the process -- that is, remove carbon dioxide from the air and store it in soil.

Contact:
Dr. Henry Jantzen,
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,
(403) 327-2253, x223

BALLOON RESEARCH

Giant balloons have been an important research tool for scientists for many years, though most are much better behaved than the one that took a rather unexpected world tour in the summer of 1998. Environment Canada has been launching giant research balloons into the ozone layer for over 20 years, and even in this age of satellites and hi-tech ground instruments, balloons still have an important role to play in keeping tabs on the ozone layer. Carrying heavy payloads of sensitive scientific instruments, scientists get data on CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances. The measurements help, among other things, determine the effectiveness of steps to reduce ozone-depleting chemicals. Environment Canada also flies smaller balloons, known as ozonesondes, on a weekly basis from six locations in Canada.

Contact:
Tom McElroy,
Environment Canada,
(416) 739-4630

'GREEN BUILDINGS' ....NOT JUST A PAINT COLOUR

When it comes to 'green' buildings, there are many shades of grey. By the current definition, environmentally responsible building design can range from buildings equipped with recycling boxes to those that generate all of their own energy from renewable sources. On October 26-28, 1998, close to 600 building experts from at least 14 countries will gather in Vancouver to unveil a new assessment system for energy-efficient and environmentally responsible buildings at the Green Building Challenge '98. Organized by Natural Resources Canada, participants will gain a better understanding of green building technologies by exploring factors that make the world's most environmentally sensitive, energy efficient buildings successful.

Contact:
Nils Larsson,
Natural Resources Canada,
(613) 943-2263

Departmental Contacts:

Fisheries and Oceans: Ed Owen, (613) 990-0210
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Jo-Ann Butler, (613) 759-1754
Natural Resources Canada: Le'Anne Frieday, (613) 992-2398
Environment Canada: Lyne Lepage, (819) 953-2828