PhD Students
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Xinyu Sun
Project Title: Interactive effects of elevated salinity and heatwave on freshwater zooplankton Summary: Zooplankton are key components for maintaining freshwater ecosystem functioning, however, is being disturbed by simultaneously or sequentially occurring multiple stressors. But our ability to predict community and ecosystem response to multiple stressors is limited, especially for impacts of sequential stressors. I propose to investigate how different sequence and time intervals of two sequential stressors (i.e. acute thermal stress and high chloride ion concentration) influence zooplankton community response, such as species composition and biomass. This project will broaden our understanding of the effects of multiple stressors and, consequently, improve our ability to predict the impacts of environmental stressors and prioritize conservation actions. Email: 16xs6@queensu.ca |
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Caelan Johnson
Project Title: Multi-stressor effects of chloride and calcium on Canadian lake zooplankton community assemblages Summary: Freshwater lakes and streams in Canada are becoming more saline due to runoff of road salt, which is applied to roads during winter as a deicing agent. Some zooplankton—primary consumers that play an important role in preserving ecosystem function in lakes—have demonstrated sensitivity to increased chloride concentrations from this runoff, although results vary among taxa and regions. The reasons for this variation, as well as how it might affect community structure, are not well understood, but some research suggests ambient calcium levels have a role to play. Given the importance of calcium in the development of some zooplankton, it is possible that higher calcium concentrations could ameliorate the toxic effects of chloride for some taxa. My project investigates the potential interactions between chloride and calcium on zooplankton community structure. In the summer of 2021, I conducted a mesocosm experiment at the Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS). I am currently processing zooplankton samples from this experiment and analyzing other data—I look forward to sharing my results in the coming months! |
MSc Students
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Carrie Ewins
Project Title: Exploring the influences of turbidity and nutrients on freshwater zooplankton community structure Summary: Human activities such as agriculture, mining, urban development, and the presence of roads are accelerating the delivery of sediments to lakes, so much so, that influxes of sediments in lakes comprise one of the most widespread stressors to aquatic ecosystems. In addition, human activities such as agriculture, urban development, and industry cause accelerated nutrient inputs (particularly phosphorus and nitrogen) to lakes. My project investigates how phytoplankton and zooplankton communities respond to water quality changes driven by these two stressors (suspended sediments and nutrients). I was fortunate enough to conduct a mesocosm experiment at the Queen’s University Biological Station during the summer of 2021, even with COVID-19 restricting much research. Results and findings coming soon (i.e. in the next 8 months)! |
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Lisa Cicchetti
Project Title: Evolved tolerance to road salt among wild populations of Daphnia Summary: When snow and ice melt, de-icing road salts are carried downhill with runoff water. This polluted water travels through our watersheds and into lakes, increasing the salt concentration of our freshwater resources. This process is known as salinization and impacts many key aquatic species, including Daphnia, zooplankton crustaceans. Daphnia are capable of rapidly evolving to environmental change, and therefore, may be adapting to road salt pollution in their natural habitats. This could lead to evolutionary trade-offs or changes to ecosystem dynamics. My experiment includes spatial and temporal sampling of Daphnia populations with varying histories of road salt exposure. I will test the salt tolerances of these populations to investigate if Daphnia are adapting to salinization of their freshwater habitats. Email: 21lec5@queensu.ca |
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Troy Martin
Project Title: Examining the effects of novel de-icer alternatives on freshwater zooplankton communities and aquatic trophic interactions Summary: Road de-icers have been used for a long time to ensure safe roads, and humans have mostly used sodium chloride (NaCl). Ontario alone uses 3-5 million tonnes of salt per year. As more research has been done, we have come to realize that NaCl is toxic to some individuals and communities at low levels (120mg/L) over long periods. Due to this, new de-icers have been made in an attempt to limit NaCl use and increase use of other chloride salts and organic compounds, while still keeping the roads safe for drivers. My research will evaluate these new de-icer alternatives to see what the toxic effects are to lake communities of zooplankton using a mesocosm experiment. Email: troy.martin@queensu.ca |
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Erin Ford
Project Title: Effects of the Rate of Salinization on Freshwater Zooplankton Communities Summary: Summary: Salinization of freshwater due to road salt runoff is a major ecological concern in many northern temperate lakes, especially in urban areas. Zooplankton are small crustaceans that act as primary and secondary consumers in aquatic food webs and have been shown to be greatly impacted by salinization. Springtime temperatures and freeze-thaw patterns can cause large variation in the rate of road-salt runoff that is entering lake systems. My project will compare the impacts of one concentration of salt that is introduced abruptly or gradually into a system. The project will use mesocosm experiments to examine how zooplankton community structure, functional diversity, and grazing patterns are influenced. Email: ford.e@queensu.ca |
Research Associates
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Dr. Martha Celis-Salgado
Environmental Toxicology FLAMES Lab, Dorset Environmental Science Centre |
Undergraduate Students
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Zachary Galvani
Undergraduate Thesis Student |
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Abi Fee
Undergraduate Thesis Student |
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Marissa Cochrane
Undergraduate Thesis Student |
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Rachel Orr
Undergraduate Thesis Student Project Title: Effects of turbidity on zooplankton community structure in Canadian High Arctic ponds |
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Judit Rodrigo
Field Intern - Summer 2022 Supporting the Global Zooplankton Project |
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Corbin Montminy
2022 SWEP Student Supporting Troy Martin's Project |
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Victoria Archer
2022 SWEP Student Supporting Caelan Johnson's Project: Multi-stressor effects of chloride and calcium on Canadian lake zooplankton community assemblages |
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Jess Smuk
2022 SWEP Student Supporting Lisa Cicchetti's Project: Evolved tolerance to road salt among natural populations of Daphnia |
Lab Dog
Hank
Duties include sleeping, eating treats, and spreading happiness!
Duties include sleeping, eating treats, and spreading happiness!
