ENVS News
Saint Mary’s University Announces Dr. Tony Charles as Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
For more information on this announcement, see this .
Dr. Erin Cameron co-authors paper on airborne DNA in Nature journal
Dr. Cameron, an Associate Faculty member of Environmental Science, was a recent co-author of "Airborne DNA Reveals Predictable Spatial and Seasonal Dynamics of Fungi" published in Nature. Dr. Cameron, who ran a collection site in Northern Alberta, was part of a team of scientists who used DNA sequencing to identify fungi from air samples collected around the world.
The Georgia Pe-Piper Medal for Excellence in Applied Science 
Daniel Jewell was the recipient of the 2024 The Georgia Pe-Piper Medal for Excellence in Applied Science. This medal recognizes excellence in research by a student enrolled in the Master of Science, Applied Science program.
Jewell's thesis was: Automated prediction of tailings areas at historic gold mine districts in Nova Scotia using multispectral images and a random forest classifier. Plus he did a publication: Jewell, D. A., Campbell, L. M., & White, H. P. (2024). An Exploration of False Positives Following Multispectral Analysis of Mine Tailings Extent. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 50(1).
Jewell graduated in the winter of 2024. He received the award during May convocation.
Student researcher, Madison Bond, has found 100 - and counting - invasive crawfish in Three Mile Lake
Madison Bond, MSc student, is studying the presence of Red Swamp Crayfish found in Three Mile Like, in Waverly, Nova Scotia. They have the potential to cause damage in the lake and on a much larger scale. Her research could play a pivotal role in the protection of Nova Scotia's ecosystem. .
Biodiversity at the edge of the forest
On November 24, Dr. Karen Harper gave a lecture on her findings. As forests are being harvested, burned or converted to other land uses, biodiversity in the forest next to the newly created forest edges is also affected. With continued forest harvesting and the creation of new edges such as from the recent fires in Nova Scotia, how can we predict effects on biodiversity?
Dr. Karen Harper is an adjunct professor in the Biology Department and in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. She also teaches in the Department of Environmental Science and in the Applied Science program.
New book by Dr. Tony Charles
Sustainable Fishery Systems
Available via this link:
Study of the GHG conditions in the Halifax Harbour
On July 17, 2023, it was announced that the Halifax Port Authority (HPA) was collaborating with researchers, such as Dr. Aldona Wiacek, in the study of GHG conditions in the Halifax Harbour. And to advance decarbonization. This is a three-year project.
Dr. Tony Charles appointed as Vice-Chair of the IUCN Fisheries Expert Group
Dr. Tony Charles, ENVS faculty member and Director of the SMU School of the Environment, was appointed in 2023 as Vice-Chair of the IUCN Fisheries Expert Group. IUCN, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, is the world's largest conservation organization. The Fisheries Expert Group focuses on positive links between fishery management and biodiversity conservation.
2023 Environmental Science Prize - Leah Riehl Winner
Honours Theses Defences - Thursday, April 13, 2023
| Lauren Schofield | Ecophysiology of Atlantic Coastal Shrubs in Response to Ocean Salt Stress |
| Kailey Nicols | Managed realignment: assessing the spatial and temporal patterns of vegetation colonization in the Bay of Fundy, Canada |
| Jenna Campbell | Assessing the Effectiveness of Reactive Amendment Protective Capping (RAPC) at Reducing the Mobility of Arsenic and Mercury in Wetlands Impacted by Historical Gold Mine Tailings |
| Samantha Bennett | Effects of Jumping Worms on European Earthworms and Soil Properties |
Samantha Bennett awarded Science Atlantic Undergraduate Research Award (Oral)
On March 25, 2023 the Science Atlantic Environment Conference (at Memorial University) held several competitions. Samantha Bennett, an Environmental Science Honours student, came in first place for the Science Atlantic Undergraduate Research Award (Oral) for her presentation of the paper: Effects of jumping worms on European worms and soil properties. Sam has been working on her Honours project under the supervision of Dr. Erin Cameron.
2023 Three-Minute Thesis (3MT)
Stephen Paterson, a Ph.D. student in Applied Science (Environmental Science) competed at the 3MT on campus on Friday, March 24, 2023. At this competition, participants must condense their research into a three-minute presentation. Paterson presented: The silent migration beneath our feet: understanding the spread of non-native earthworms in northern Canada. He received an honourable mention.
Dr. Tony Charles appointed to Santamarian Chair
On March 23, 2023 it was announced that Dr. Charles was among the first to be appointed to the newly established Santamarian Professorships and Chairs. Being appointed as a chair recognizes his established career as a researcher. Even though he was appointed as representative for Commerce, Tony is actively involved with Environmental Science. And is the Director for the School of the Environment.
For more information on these positions, please see /webfiles/Santamarianchairsandprofessorships-Updated-18Apr2022.pdf.
For more information on other appointments to the Santamarian Professorships and Chairs, please see
Esri Young Scholar Competition - Kailey Nichols Canadian Winner
Kailey Nichols (Honours ENVS, minor BSC geography) is the 2023 Esri Young Scholar for Canada. This is a highly competitive award for the application of GIS (geographical information systems). She will be receiving a $1500 award and her work will be showcased with the Esri Young Scholar winners from other countries at this year’s Esri User Conference in San Diego. Kailey has just successfully defended her honours thesis in ENVS Understanding the Effects of Managed Realignment Schemes on Salt Marsh Recovery by Assessing the Spatiotemporal Patterns of Vegetation Colonization in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. Her research demonstrates strong interdisciplinarity and the benefits of combining Environmental Science with Geography.
Study shows long-lasting impacts to lake health from old gold mines
Findings released in 2021 by a multi-university team of researchers, including Dr. Linda Campbelled showed that despite mine operations being closed for nearly a century, that pollution from historical gold mining in Nova Scotia persisted at levels that impacts the health of aquatic ecosystems. See full article .
Saint Mary’s Scientists Awarded $1.6 Million in NSERC Research Funding
In 2020, Dr. Linda Campbell was one of nine researchers at ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ to receive funding from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). For more information, see article on .
Two Saint Mary’s University scientists receive $795,000 in research funding
In 2020, Dr. Erin Cameron, one of two scientist at ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ was the recipient of funding from government organizations towards her research on impacts of climate change and land use on below-ground ecosystems. See .
Inspiring new film spotlights sustainable communities solving environmental problems
For World Environment Day 2020, Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN) and ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ hosted a short film on the success of individuals working with their communities on sustainability issues. Dr. Charles, instructor with Environmental Science is the director of CCRN. For full .
Coastal communities and their preparations for climate change at heart of new short film
A short film entitled Coastal Communities… At the Ready was released February 11, 2020. ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ and Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN) hosted the film on campus. Dr. Tony Charles, professor and director of CCRN said “Most of the world’s people live by the sea and are under the threat of a variety of marine hazards.” See full article .
SMU researcher’s groundbreaking earthworm study on recent cover of Science Magazine
Drs. Helen Phillips and Erin Cameron are researchers in the Department of Environmental Science. They are among researchers that had their work published in the prestigious Science Magazine on studying the global diversity and biogeography of earthworms. See article on .
Phillips HRP, et al. EK Cameron*, N Eisenhauer.* (2019) Science 366: 480-485.
Saint Mary’s researcher contributes to UN fishery and climate meetings
Dr. Tony Charles participated at the International Symposium on Fisheries Sustainability, organized by the UN in the fall of 2019 and held in Rome. He spoke on the future of global and regional fisheries. Read article full article on .
FOREST SOILS IN NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA have been variably impacted by decades of acid deposition that has caused a loss of base cation nutrients (calcium, magnesium, potassium) and an increase in aluminum and acidity in many affected soils. However, acid deposition levels have decreased significantly since the signing of pollution treaties in the US and Canada in the early 1990s. To see how forest soils are recovering from reduced deposition, a study is being conducted to compare old and new soil chemistry data from sites across the northeast. In Nova Scotia, a site at Kejimkujik National Park was chosen for this research. This past summer, Kevin Keys (soil scientist with Nova Scotia Natural Resources and adjunct with SMU Department of Environmental Science) teamed up with researchers at Parks Canada to re-sample soils at two sites that were first sampled back in 1995. Samples are still being analyzed, but results will be part of a report to Parks Canada as well as a planned journal submission. To the right is a picture of one of the soil pits excavated for this study. Soils in this profile show a range of colours as influenced by parent material, soil forming processes, and natural disturbance events.
Dr. Jason Clyburne finalist in the 13th Annual Discovery Awards
The Environmental Science Department is very pleased to announce that ENVS faculty member, Dr. Jason Clyburne was a in the category: Professional of Distinction – An individual who is a leading innovator, a role model for people who choose science as a career. The Discovery Awards Ceremony took place on November 19, 2017 at the Halifax Marriot Harbourfront Hotel.
AN OIL SPILL DECISION MATRIX IN RESPONSE TO SURFACE SPILLS OF VARIOUS BITUMEN BLENDS
Published in
Canada's production, transport, and sale of diluted bitumen (dilbit) products are expected to increase by a million barrels per day over the next decade. The anticipated growth in oil production and transport increases the risk of oil spills in aquatic areas and places greater demands on oil spill capabilities to respond to spills, which have raised stakeholder concerns. Current oil spill models only predict the transport of bitumen blends that are used in contingency plans and oil spill response strategies, rather than changes in the oil's physical properties that are relevant to spill response. We conducted weathering studies of five oil products (two conventional oils and three bitumen blends) in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' flume tank. We also considered two initial oil slick thicknesses, 4.0 mm and 7.0 mm. We found that there is a major difference in the time evolution of oil properties (density and viscosity), raising doubts on weathering models that do not consider the thickness of oil. We also developed empirical expressions for the evolution of the density and viscosity of these oil products. The findings from the 4.0 mm results were incorporated with data from the literature to provide an update on the factors to consider during the decision making for spills of diluted bitumen products. The matrix indicated that most response options, including chemical dispersants, work much more effectively within 48 hours of the initiation of weathering. After this window of opportunity closes, natural attenuation or in situ burning is the only option remaining, but containment of oil is a limiting factor for in situ burning.
THE LICHEN-FORMING FUNGI IN THE HALIFAX PUBLIC GARDENS, NOVA SCOTIA
Paper by Dr. David Richardson and Dr. Anwar Tumur (2017)
Fifty-three lichens species belonging to 28 genera were recorded from the Halifax Public Gardens in Nova Scotia. A brief history of the gardens and of lichen recording in the city is presented, along with a commentary on the lichens found in this study. The results of this lichen survey are of particular interest as the lichen flora has not been previously documented and it provides a baseline for monitoring future changing patterns of pollution and climate. In addition, the Halifax Public Gardens are celebrating in 2017 the 150th anniversary of the opening of the gardens.
Environmental Science professor receives Human Rights Award for contributions to Accessibility Act
Dr. Linda Campbell and fellow members of the Bill 59 Community Alliance recently received a 2017 Nova Scotia Human Rights Award in recognition of their contributions to Bill 59, otherwise known as the Accessibility Act. .
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A Heim, S Appleby-Jones, J Lundholm - Cities and the Environment (CATE), 2017
There is a demand to use native species on green roofs in North America. However, research is needed to determine which native species are suitable for the green roof environment and how these species impact the ecosystem services attributed to the green roof. This study compared the thermal performance and stormwater mitigation services provided by species native to Nova Scotia, Canada, and those commonly used by the green roof industry. The study was conducted on two extensive green roofs using a vegetated mat system. The native and Sedum treatments resulted in similar substrate temperatures and stormwater retention for the majority of the study period. Additionally, the green roof treatments performed significantly better than the conventional roof treatment for the majority of the study period. However, at both study sites the Sedum treatment recorded significantly lower average substrate temperatures for the summer of 2014. Since canopy density did not play a significant role in these findings, these results are most likely due to differences in species composition. For stormwater retention, no significant differences were detected between the Sedum and native treatments for the entire study period. This is particularly interesting because the substrate cover in the native treatment was significantly lower than in the Sedum treatment for the entire study period. It is possible that, as the cover of native species increases, the water retention in these modules will also increase. This study demonstrates that these native species are a viable option for green roofs in a maritime climate.
Dr. Jason Clyburne named the winner of the 2017 Professional of Distinction Award at the Discovery Centre’s 15th Annual Discovery Awards for Science and Technology
Environmental Science Professor, Dr. Tony Charles Publishes New Book (2017)
Coastal communities depend on the marine environment for their livelihoods, but the common property nature of marine resources poses major challenges for the governance of such resources. Through detailed cases and consideration of broader global trends, this volume examines how coastal communities are adapting to environmental change, and the attributes of governance that foster deliberate transformations and help to build resilience of social and ecological systems.
Environmental Science Faculty Member, Recipient of the Dr. Geraldine Thomas Educational Leadership Award
Congratulations to ENVS Part-time faculty member, Roxanne Richardson who was the 2015 recipient of the Dr. Geraldine Thomas Educational Leadership Award!
ENVS faculty member featured in The Renewable Energy Global Innovations Series
The paper A Methodology for the Time-scale-sensitive Evaluation of Wind Speed and Direction Variability (C.Suteanu, 2015) was featured as a Key Wind Energy Article.