Science > ECEL

Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology (ECEL)

Study Leader: Dean G. Thompson
dthompso@NRCan.gc.ca

Study Description:

The Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology (ECEL) research team is dedicated to scientific research contributing to environmental protection, and sustainable development of the Canadian forest resource. In achieving these goals, the ECEL team conducts fundamental and applied research spanning disciplines of analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, environmental biology and ecotoxicology. The ECEL team also plays a key role in generating, synthesizing and transfering scientific knowledge through publication of journal papers, reviews, books, and various education intiatives. In terms of knowledge and technology transfer we are particularly proud of our lead role in the development and maintenance of the Canadian Forest Pest Management database (www.glfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/cfpm) - a comprehensive, searchable source of scientific knowledge on all aspects of forest pest management for use by researchers, operational foresters, students and the public alike. In our analytical and environmental chemistry research, we utilize state-of-the-art instrumentation for extraction (Accelerated Solvent Extractor (ASE) and quantitative detection (GC [gas chromatograph], HPLC, HPLC-MS and GC-MS) to determine the fate and persistence of various organic compounds (principally synthetic and biorational pesticides) in terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric compartments of forest environments. Our laboratories are certified as GLP compliant by the Standards Council of Canada under OECD guidelines. This certification facilitates our collaborative research and interactions with a variety of international research agencies, multinational agri-chemical companies, environmental consultants and the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency. A major component of our overall program is oriented toward field research, particularly at the terrestrial/aquatic interface. Field research infrastructure established and maintained by our team includes in-situ aquatic mesocosms within both the Turkey Lakes and Icewater Creek watersheds.

Currently the ECEL team is involved in a number of research initiatives including:

Analytical Chemistry
a) Development and validation of HPLC and LCMS techniques for qunatitative determination of synthetic and biorational pesticides in environmental matrices

Environmental Chemistry
a) Uptake and translocation of systemically injected insecticides for control of exotic wood boring beetles (Asian Longhorn Beetle, Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle)
b) Uptake, translocation and persistence of pesticides (imidacloprid and triadimefon) following application of slow-release tablets for enhanced regeneration of white pine
c) Advanced Technologies for Aerial Application of Forest Herbicides
d) Deposition of glyphosate (VISION) in wetlands within or adjacent to forest regeneration sites
e) Aquatic fate of azadirachtin (Neem) following application to in-situ enclosures in forest wetlands

Environmental Biology
a)Comparative Assessment of Techniques for Monitoring Salamanders in Mixed-Wood Boreal Forests of Northern Ontario

Ecotoxicology
a) Interactive and Multiple Stress Effects of Forest Herbicides in Forest Wetlands and Native Amphibians
b) Impacts of azadirachtin (Neem) following applications to in-situ enclosures in forest wetlands

In relation to this work the ECEL team collaborates with numerous researchers within the CFS as well as a variety industrial, academic and government research organizations both nationally and internationally, including TEMBEC, BOWATER, DOMTAR, University of Guelph, Trent University, Dartmouth College, Lake Superior State University, Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology, the Upper Lakes Environmental Research Network, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resourcs and the USDA-Forest Service.

The ECEL team is currently comprised of the following highly dedicated individuals: