The Influence of Climate and Land Cover Change on Historical Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis) Populations in the Humber River, Rouge River, and Duffins Creek Watersheds

Long-term records of the abundance of organisms are needed to detect more progressive changes in their populations as a result of external stressors. Long-term changes in historical Brook Trout

The Influence of Climate and Land Cover Change on Historical Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis) Populations in the Humber River, Rouge River, and Duffins Creek Watersheds

Long-term records of the abundance of organisms are needed to detect more progressive changes in their populations as a result of external stressors. Long-term changes in historical Brook Trout

Evaluation of Radar Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPEs) as an Input of Hydrological Models for Hydrometeorological Applications

Weather radar provides real-time, spatially distributed precipitation estimates, whereas traditional gauge data are restricted in space. The use of radar quantitative precipitation estimates (QPEs) as an input of hydrological models for hydrometeorological applications has increased with the development of weather radar worldwide. New dual-polarization technology and algorithms are showing improvements to radar QPEs. This study evaluates radar QPEs from C-band radar at King City, Canada (WKR), and NEXRAD S-band radar at Buffalo, New York (KBUF), to verify the reliability and accuracy for operational use in the Humber River (semiurban) and Don River (urban) watersheds in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada. Twenty rainfall events that occurred from 2011 to 2017 were determined from hourly gauge measurements and compared with nine radar QPEs. Rain rates were estimated with different algorithms using three dual-polarized reflectivity values: horizontal reflectivity Z, differential reflectivity ZDR, and specific differential phase KDP. The correlation coefficient, bias, detection, and root-mean-square error were calculated and averaged over all events for each gauge station to show the spatial distribution and in a similar pattern to represent the variation by the event. The quality of the results in terms of accuracy and reliability indicates that the radar QPEs from KBUF S-band and WKR C-band multiparameter rain rate estimators can be effectively used as precipitation forcing of hydrological models for hydrometeorological applications. The high spatiotemporal resolution, long-term data archive, and good percent detection of radar QPEs can facilitate hydrometeorological applications by providing a continuous time series for hydrological models.

Evaluation of Radar-Gauge Merging Techniques to Be Used in Operational Flood Forecasting in Urban Watersheds

Demand for radar Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPEs) as precipitation forcing to hydrological models in operational flood forecasting has increased in the recent past. It is practically impossible to get error-free QPEs due to the intrinsic limitations of weather radar as a precipitation measurement tool. Adjusting radar QPEs with gauge observations by combining their advantages while minimizing their weaknesses increases the accuracy and reliability of radar QPEs. This study deploys several techniques to merge two dual-polarized King City radar (WKR) C-band and two KBUF Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) S-band operational radar QPEs with rain gauge data for the Humber River (semi-urban) and Don River (urban) watersheds in Ontario, Canada. The relative performances are assessed against an independent gauge network by comparing hourly rainfall events. The Cumulative Distribution Function Matching (CDFM) method performed best, followed by Kriging with Radar-based Error correction (KRE). Although both WKR and NEXRAD radar QPEs improved significantly, NEXRAD Level III Digital Precipitation Array (DPA) provided the best results. All methods performed better for low- to medium-intensity precipitation but deteriorated with the increasing rainfall intensities. All methods outperformed radar only QPEs for all events, but the agreement is best in the summer.

A comparison of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in intensive care and non-intensive care units: a multifaceted quality improvement initiative

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and represent a major health concern worldwide. Patients suffering from HAPI report a poor quality of life on several dimensions of health. Moreover, HAPI is reported to lengthen in-hospital stay in the acute setting, posing significant healthcare resource utilisations and costs. Given the clinical and economic burden of HAPI, recent best practice guidelines provide recommendations to reduce the prevalence of pressure injuries. Humber River Hospital (HRH), a large community hospital in Toronto, Canada, has a daily census of approximately 500 patients. The aim of this project was to reduce the prevalence of HAPI within the intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU setting at HRH within a 1-year period. Using the International Pressure Injury/Ulcer Prevalence (IPUP) Survey we established a baseline prevalence of HAPI of 27.6% (n=315) for non-ICU and 30% for ICU (n=33) patients at our institution in 2015. Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method for quality improvement, we implemented a multifaceted approach aimed at improving equipment, digital documentation and education on risk assessment, prevention and treatment strategies. Over multiple PDSA cycles, our prevalence of HAPI reduced to 16% for non-ICU patients with no changes to the HAPI prevalence in ICU patients in 2016. Sustainability continues with HAPI prevalence currently at 10% in 2017 for non-ICU patients, which outperforms the Canadian prevalence (13.7%) by census size for 2017. However, the prevalence of HAPI in the ICU increased to 45% in 2017 despite multiple quality improvement initiatives, suggesting critically ill patients represent a unique challenge for reducing HAPI for these patients at our institution.

Comparison of Microbial and Chemical Source Tracking Markers To Identify Fecal Contamination Sources in the Humber River (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) and Associated Storm Water Outfalls

ABSTRACTStorm water runoff is a major source of pollution, and understanding the components of storm water discharge is essential to remediation efforts and proper assessment of risks to human and ecosystem health. In this study, culturableEscherichia coliand ampicillin-resistantE. colilevels were quantified and microbial source tracking (MST) markers (including markers for generalBacteroidalesspp., human, ruminant/cow, gull, and dog) were detected in storm water outfalls and sites along the Humber River in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and enumerated via endpoint PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Additionally, chemical source tracking (CST) markers specific for human wastewater (caffeine, carbamazepine, codeine, cotinine, acetaminophen, and acesulfame) were quantified. Human and gull fecal sources were detected at all sites, although concentrations of the human fecal marker were higher, particularly in outfalls (mean outfall concentrations of 4.22 log10copies, expressed as copy numbers [CN]/100 milliliters for human and 0.46 log10CN/100 milliliters for gull). Higher concentrations of caffeine, acetaminophen, acesulfame,E. coli, and the human fecal marker were indicative of greater raw sewage contamination at several sites (maximum concentrations of 34,800 ng/liter, 5,120 ng/liter, 9,720 ng/liter, 5.26 log10CFU/100 ml, and 7.65 log10CN/100 ml, respectively). These results indicate pervasive sewage contamination at storm water outfalls and throughout the Humber River, with multiple lines of evidence identifying Black Creek and two storm water outfalls with prominent sewage cross-connection problems requiring remediation. Limited data are available on specific sources of pollution in storm water, though our results indicate the value of using both MST and CST methodologies to more reliably assess sewage contamination in impacted watersheds.IMPORTANCEStorm water runoff is one of the most prominent non-point sources of biological and chemical contaminants which can potentially degrade water quality and pose risks to human and ecosystem health. Therefore, identifying fecal contamination in storm water runoff and outfalls is essential for remediation efforts to reduce risks to public health. This study employed multiple methods of identifying levels and sources of fecal contamination in both river and storm water outfall sites, evaluating the efficacy of using culture-based enumeration ofE. coli, molecular methods of determining the source(s) of contamination, and CST markers as indicators of fecal contamination. The results identified pervasive human sewage contamination in storm water outfalls and throughout an urban watershed and highlight the utility of using both MST and CST to identify raw sewage contamination.

Comparative microbial source tracking methods for identification of fecal contamination sources at Sunnyside Beach in the Toronto region area of concern

Several beaches within the Toronto region area of concern have persistent issues with fecal contamination, causing a beach beneficial use impairment (BUI). In this study, Escherichia coli, including ampicillin-resistant strains, were enumerated via culturable and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods. Microbial source tracking (MST) markers (for general Bacteroidales, human, ruminant/cow, gull, and dog) were detected and enumerated via PCR and qPCR to identify sources of fecal contamination at Sunnyside Beach and in the Humber River. Human, cow, and dog markers had good host-specificity, while gull markers sometimes amplified a few other bird species. The ruminant endpoint PCR marker amplified a variety of other animal species rendering it less useful. Both human and gull fecal contamination were prevalent in the Humber River, while Sunnyside Beach was predominantly impacted by gull fecal contamination. Human sewage impacts were more prevalent in the lower Humber River, particularly in Black Creek. However, to reduce Sunnyside beach postings, reducing bird fecal contamination in the river and at the beach would be necessary. When there are high levels of E. coli throughout a beachshed, an MST toolbox approach can add value to discriminate source(s) of E. coli contamination and guide decisions relating to public health risk and remediation strategies.

Reconstructing Heritage and Cultural Identity in Marginalised and Hinterland Communities: Case Studies from Western Newfoundland

This essay examines the issue of missing heritage, cultural identity, and regeneration of two historically marginalised communities in the Humber River Basin region of western Newfoundland, Canada: Woods Island and Crow Gulch. This region was shaped by the implementation of international treaties which restricted settlement until the turn of the twentieth century by Britain, France and the United States. The first case study focuses on a former fishing community in the Bay of Islands, Woods Island, whose prosperity once coincided with the need by large fish producers based in Gloucester, Massachusetts; they relied on the Bay of Islands for a herring bait fishery to conduct their operations, making the location one of the most important sources of supply in the North Atlantic. Issues surrounding treaty rights and access to this region’s resources resulted in international arbitration and The Hague Tribunal of 1910, and set a legal precedent for opening up global access to the world’s oceans. A half-century later, in the face of the forces of ‘modernisation’, Woods Island was resettled under pressure from the Newfoundland government, as part of a larger strategy to transform the island’s society and economy. Its heritage remains however important to former residents and their families in understanding a world now lost. The second case study explores an abandoned underclass community, consisting mostly of residents with French/Aboriginal background who were largely discriminated against because of their ethnicity. While also no longer in existence, Crow Gulch in its iconic role is significant in the wake of a recent major Mi’kmaw resurgence in Western Newfoundland. Together, these studies demonstrate how to conserve tangible and intangible culture of marginalised communities by linking micro-history to macro-history and how to preserve the past for future cultural benefit.

Determination of Traces of Iron and Lead in Food and Water Samples After Preconcentration on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

A new method using multiwalled carbon nanotubes as an SPE adsorbent was developed for the sensitive determination of trace iron and lead prior to flame atomic absorption spectrometry analysis. Iron and lead as 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline chelates were adsorbed quantitatively on multiwalled carbon nanotubes at a pH of 6.0 and easily eluted with 10 mL 1 M HNO3. The influences of matrix ions were also examined. The LOD values for iron and lead were calculated as 1.3 and 2.9 μg/L, respectively. Validation of the presented procedure was performed by the analysis of TMDA 54.4 fortified lake water and HR-1 Humber River sediment certified reference materials. The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace iron and lead in real environmental samples, and excellent results were achieved.

Characteristics of urban chemical spills in Southern Ontario

Thousands of chemical spills occur as a result of accidents or natural disasters each year worldwide and have the potential to harm human health and the environment. More than 700 recorded chemical spills involving more than 1,000 types of chemical occur every year in Southern Ontario, resulting in multiple environmental impacts. This paper presents characteristics of urban chemical spills (1988–2007) and an ArcGIS-based spatial distribution in Southern Ontario. Eleven regions involving 77 municipalities had experienced chemical spills during the study period. Industrial plants accounted for the majority of occurred spills. The St Clair River and the Humber River were the two major rivers encompassing higher spill areas owing to the high density of industry surrounding them. Pipe/hose leaks both accounted for the highest proportion of total chemical spills and resulted in a largest portion of chemical spills causing surface water impacts. The analysis results will provide information for a further study to develop a comprehensive urban chemical spill management strategy, which emphasizes spill prevention, control and emergency response. The strategy could also be used to assist both municipalities and industries to minimize the potential spill impacts to the environment and public health and to better protect water resources.