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Science & Technology Initiatives
Arctic Science Projects - Geological Survey of Canada
NE Ellesmere Project
The project is a joint operation with the German Federal Geological Survey in Hannover. The purpose of this project is to provide new and revised geological information for northeastern Ellesmere Island and an assessment of mineral resources.
Canada-Russia Arctic Scientific Exchange Agreement Theme - Oil & Gas, Project 3.2 Arctic Tectonics
GSC participates in the Canada/Russia Agreement for cooperation in the Arctic in which comparisons are made between the tectonic history of Canada, Alaska and Russia. Activities under this theme include preparation of joint research papers on the Arctic, assistance to Canadian companies working or evaluating opportunities in Russia, and advising governments on Canadian-Russian arctic issues.
Collaborative Research Projects with Greenland
GSC has been involved with the Greenland Geological Survey (GEUS) for several years in an effort to reconcile differences in tectonic models. This has mainly involved data exchange and several informal workshops, both at GSC Atlantic and in Denmark. The recently completed 1:1,500,000 map series covering waters between Greenland and Canada was a joint product of the GSC and GEUS.
Isua Greenstone Belt Project, Southern West Greenland
GSC is collaborating with the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland on a project involving the Isua Greenstone Belt, southern West Greenland. This is the oldest coherent supracrustal belt on Earth (~3.8 Ga).
Multi-disciplinary Marine Survey in Nares Strait
GSC and BGR of Germany conducted a multi-disciplinary marine survey in Nares Strait. The purpose of the project is to understand how continental displacement was accommodated as the Greenland plate collided with northernmost North America. The project was conducted under the auspices of the Canada-German Bilateral Agreement on Science and Technology.
Canadian Initiative for International Technology Transfer
The Canadian Initiative for International Technology Transfer (CIITT), is a Government of Canada Initiative which provides support for the identification and development of climate-change technology transfer projects headed for developing and developed nations. CIITT offers financial assistance to viability studies, proposal development and brokering, knowledge sharing and relationship management.
www.exporttech.gc.ca
Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Global Climate Change (CCACC)
The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is participating in a major multi-year, research program with twelve island states in the Caribbean to assess the impact and adaptation of global climate change on island coastlines. The first phase of the program-to assess needs and priorities-is underway with funding from the United Nations Global Environment Fund. Phase two involves both a marine coastal mapping program and public outreach. GSC Atlantic has been involved in early discussions of the project.
Clean Energy Portal
NRCan created Canada's Climate Change and Clean Energy (C4) portal to assists users in navigating the vast resources and information about Canada's expertise and innovative climate change and clean energy industry. An industry snapshot provides an overview of key subsectors, including company profiles and links to the Web sites of Canadian companies providing leading solutions and expertise. Search engines are available to help users find Canadian providers of clean energy solutions.
www.cleanenergy.gc.ca
Coalbed Methane Research Projects - Geological Survey of Canada:
Cooperative Research with Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences
The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is conducting joint research with the Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences (IGNS) scientists on kinetics of hydrocarbon generation from coal related to CBM and conventional gas reserves; and research into the pyrolysis behaviour of coals as a predictive model for gas (and oil) generation from different types of coal in different geological systems. GSC is involved in installing kinetics optimization software and training scientists on the application of the software as well as carrying out initial optimization runs. GSC offers seminar on the status of exploration and research in the Canadian Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin to IGNS and local petroleum industry scientists.
Tanzania: Coal Potential of Rift Valleys
The GSC is currently involved in several projects with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Association and the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Tanzania to investigate coal potential of rift valleys. The aim is to assess the coal potential and to encourage its use locally in an attempt to halt further destruction of the natural savanna vegetation, which is causing severe soil erosion.
Deposit Modelling Program
The Deposit Modelling Program (DMP) is a joint program of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and UNESCO. It seeks to advance geoscientific knowledge and expertise in mineral deposit modelling for use in exploration, assessment and development of resources, then facilitate the transfer of this knowledge and expertise to developing countries. The program also provides assistance for training and educating geoscientists from developing regions, so that they can carry out the necessary exploration and resource assessment in their home countries. Scientists from NRCan's Earth Sciences Sector are active participants. The 2002 workshop, "Mineral Deposits, Data, and Models for Sustainable Development," held in Windhoek, Namibia, focussed on the utility of mineral deposit and geo-environmental models for enhancing sustainability of the mineral resources sector of national economies in the southern African region. The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) provided one of the workshop leaders.
Earth Observation for Sustainable Development of Forests
Earth Observation for Sustainable Development of Forests (EOSD) is the Canadian Forestry Service (CFS) component of the Canadian Space Plan's Earth and Environment Program of the Canadian Space Agency. It is a collaborative effort, also supported by international agencies, other Canadian federal and provincial departments, universities, and the private sector. The first five-year phase of the envisioned fifteen-year EOSD program began in 2000. The initial focus of EOSD is on the production of a land cover map of the forested area of Canada based upon satellite data. Ultimately, EOSD will deliver an operational forest-monitoring system for all of Canada. EOSD products will assist Canada in assessing and reporting progress on commitments associated with Criteria and Indicators (C&I;) of sustainable forest management, and the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, and the International Convention on Biological Diversity.
www.eosd.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca
Exotic Forest Pest Information System
Researchers from the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) collaborate with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in the detection, identification, and assessment of known and potential alien forest pests. Developing detection methods and creating risk scenarios to determine the likelihood of alien species becoming established in Canada is crucial for effective international regulatory and pest management strategies. The CFS is working with the North American Forestry Commission to develop an Exotic Forest Pest Information System. This system, which will be available through the World Wide Web, will contain databases on alien insects and pathogens of risk to North America.
www.exoticforestpests.org
Geosciences Project into OverPressure (GeoPOP)
The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) participated in petrophysical characterization of hydrocarbon seals in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico under the GeoPOP project, a multidisciplinary geosciences investigation into the causes of overpressure with specific reference to the North Sea. The project is being conducted by three British Universities and the oil industry (Exxon, Mobil, BP, Elf-Acquitane, Conoco, etc).
German-Canadian Cooperation Project on Shallow Submarine Hydrothermal Systems
The successful German-Canadian Project on Shallow Submarine Hydrothermal Systems involved six joint research cruises to study mineralizing systems associated with shallow submarine volcanic environments. The objective was to characterize unexplored volcano-tectonic environments with implications for evaluating mineral potential in analogous volcanic terrains on land. Scientific cruises will study rifting and associated mineralized, hydrothermal activity in Antarctica, Foundation Seamount of the East Pacific Rise and ridge hot spot studies near Papua New Guinea and North of Iceland. German research institutes heavily support activities.
www.nrcan.gc.ca/gsc/mrd/projects/seafloor/index_e.html
Glaciation Projects - Geological Survey of Canada:
Glaciation and Crustal Response
As part of national and international efforts, including Climate Systems History and Dynamics (CSHD), Environmental Processes of the Last Ice Age (EPILOG), Circum-Arctic Paleoenvironments (CAPE), and the International Quaternary Union (INQUA) Deglaciation of the World project, GSC is synthesizing the glacial history of North America over the last 30,000 years and crustal response to changing ice loads as expressed by postglacial rebound and subsidence. GSC also maintains a variety of other paleoenvironmental databases and reconstructions that may be applicable to validating numerical models of former climates and theories of human colonization of North America.
http://sts.gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/page1/clim/anim.htm
Arctic and Alpine Stream Ecological Research Network
This is an EU-funded program towards a multidisciplinary evaluation of cold stream ecosystems. Canada is a candidate for network expansion (currently the UK, Iceland, Switzerland, Italy and Norway are network members).
Canadian Glacier Variation Monitoring and Assessment Network - CGVMAN
CGVMAN coordinates and delivers seasonal, annual and pluri-annual assessments of the state of Canada glaciers for the Global Terrestrial Network-Glaciers (GTN-G) of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) and is comprised of a network of government, university and private sector partners. Outputs are delivered to the World Glacier Monitoring Service.
International Arctic Science Committee - Glaciology Working Group - Canadian National Representative
The International Arctic Science Committee encourages and facilitates cooperation in all aspects of arctic research, in all countries engaged in arctic research and in all areas of the arctic region. GSC researchers contribute to the IASC project MAGICS (Mass Balance of Arctic Glaciers and Ice Sheets in relation to Climate and Sea Level Changes).
International Commission on Snow and Ice
The Canadian National Representative conducts periodic state-of-the-art overviews and promotion of snow and ice science activities in Canada and contributes to the ICSI Glacier Mass Balance Measurement and Modeling Working Group.
World Glacier Monitoring Service of ICSI(IAHS)/UNEP/UNESCO
The Canadian Correspondent reports on Canada's international monitoring, assessment and reporting commitments per the UNESCO International Hydrological Program (IHP), and the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) of the World Meteorological Organisation, and, in part, towards Communications to the Parties of the Convention, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Buenos Aires.
International Energy R&D;
NRCan's Office of Energy Research and Development (OERD) coordinates the Government of Canada's participation in international energy R&D.; Through the pooling of resources and expertise, the two-way exchange of information, and collaborative scientific and technical programs, these international partnerships also help Canada to meet its domestic energy challenges. The OERD Web site includes overviews and links to many of the organizations and projects in which NRCan is an active participant.
www2.nrcan.gc.ca/es/oerd
Life-Cycle Assessment and Metals
Life-cycle assessment (LCA) has proven to be a valuable tool to evaluate the environmental potential impact of products and materials. It is increasingly used by industry for guidance in decision-making on products and materials. LCA information also influences environmental policymaking and government regulators. Scientists from NRCan's CANMET Mining and Mineral Sciences Laboratories are actively involved in this area. In 2002 a workshop was held in Montreal to discuss issues related to LCA and metals. Sixty technical experts, from 15 countries with different perspectives—LCA, life-cycle impact assessment (LCIA), risk assessment (RA), economy, geology—and from diverse sectors—industry, academia, consultant, government—attended the workshop.
www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/canmet-mtb/mmsl-lmsm/enviro/lifecycle
Machu Picchu
In 1998, a scientist from NRCan's Earth Sciences Sector participated in an exploratory field study with Peruvian colleagues of landsliding at the World Heritage site of Machu Picchu, Peru. In the following years, extensive media attention was given to the site because of reports of imminent collapse. Italy has devoted $1 Million USD over three years and Japan is contributing roughly half this amount to study the landslide potential at this site. In the fall of 2002 a short course on Geoindicators was offered to Peruvian geoscientists by the IUGS in Cusco, Peru. NRCan's Earth Sciences Sector contributed by participating in invited lectures to discuss volcanic and landslide hazards and joined Italian and Japanese research teams to work on Machu Picchu.
Mallik Gas Hydrate Research Well Program
In Canada's Mackenzie Delta there is a world research site for the study of continental natural gas hydrates. Project participants include the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), the Japan National Oil Corporation, GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Gas Authority of India Ltd., the Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (India), the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program and Canadian industry. Gas hydrates are naturally occurring ice-like substances which exist in marine and permafrost environments. Gas hydrates have been well documented in marine environments, however their occurrence and behaviour in permafrost settings are poorly understood. On a world-wide basis, gas hydrates contain an immense amount of natural gas (primarily methane) and are of increasing long-term interest to the energy industry. They are also a potentially significant source of greenhouse gas in the event of global warming. Core samples collected from the 1,150 m deep research well were the first documented natural gas hydrate samples from beneath permafrost collected in the world. GSC continues to coordinate an extensive post-field research program to integrate the field surveys with fundamental studies of hydrate characteristics. The first experimental production testing of a natural gas hydrate reservoir located in Canada's Arctic has been completed.
gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/gashydrates/mallik2002
Mine Environment Neutral Drainage Project - MEND
The Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) program, a Canadian cooperative research organization, was implemented to develop and apply new technologies to prevent and control acidic drainage-the largest environmental liability facing the mining industry. An important outcome was the development of a common understanding among participants. It has allowed partners to take actions with greater confidence and to gain multi-stakeholder acceptance more quickly. MEND developed a toolbox of technologies available to all stakeholders, including operators, regulators and consulting engineers. MEND has been described as a model way for governments and industry to cooperate in technology development for advancing environmental management in the mining industry. Renewed as a three-year initiative called MEND 2000, the program now focuses on transferring the knowledge gained from MEND and other related projects; verifying MEND's developed technologies by long-term monitoring of large-scale field tests; and building national and international linkages for information exchange and consensus building.
www.nrcan.gc.ca:80/mms/poli/med_e.htm
Research in Agnew-Wiluna Belt, Western Australia
Canadian exploration and mining companies are part of an Australian industry-university-government joint research project in the Yilgarn craton, Western Australia, studying the stratigraphic setting and complexities of Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulphide deposits. Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) staff and their university counterparts participate as Canadian experts in the research, help formulate key research questions, and review progress.
Sponge Reefs on the Continental Shelf
This is joint project between the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), the German Research Foundation and the University of Stuttgart in Germany to characterize the physical and biological factors that control the development and growth of sponge reefs that cover nearly 1000 square km of seafloor on the western Canadian continental shelf off British Columbia, between the Queen Charlotte Islands and the mainland.
Subduction Zone Processes and Earthquakes
Collaborative studies with Japan Marine Science and Technology Centre (JAMSTEC) comparing and contrasting the Nankai (Japan) and Cascadia (B.C., Washington, Oregon) subduction zones. GSC is working with JAMSTEC on several projects in areas of concern and interest to both Japan and Canada; the distribution and stability of marine gas hydrates, the heat flow and fluid flow instrumentation of the Nankai Trough and the deployment of ocean bottom seismometers off Canada's Pacific margin. There is the possibility of using JAMSTEC multi-channel seismic ship in 2003 to image the subduction zone.
Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM)
Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM) is a component of the Government of Canada's Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF). TEAM brings together partners from all levels of government, industry and communities to encourage investment in innovative technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while sustaining economic and social development.
Eligible projects will demonstrate innovation in the transportation, energy, agriculture and various
industrial sectors and fall into three main areas: Working with Canadian industry to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions; Supporting community-based implementation of greenhouse gas emission reduction technologies; and transferring Canadian greenhouse gas reduction technologies to other countries, particularly developing nations. TEAM aims to bring Canadian technology solutions to bear on a global problem.
www.climatechange.gc.ca/team
World Minerals Geoscience Database Project
The World Minerals Geoscience Database Project was initiated to produce high-quality, well-organized geoscience data sets. These data sets can be used in conjunction with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and database software to help understand the broad relationships between global tectonics and the regional settings of mineral deposits. Digital databases of world geology, sediment-hosted copper deposits, and seafloor hydrothermal activity and associated mineral deposits have been released. Easy-to-use, simplified extracts from the geology and mineral deposit databases are being prepared for a second public release, and selected images of world geology are available for viewing. Project sponsors can download the latest updated versions of the mineral deposit databases. New project sponsors are welcome to join the consortium. Partial sponsorships are also available for those interested in
specific databases.
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