September 25, 2008

BUILDING ONTARIO’S INNOVATION ECONOMY

BIOECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS

Queen’s University 

Dr. Kurt Kyser
Protecting ecosystems through improved element tracing
Provincial Funding: $313,903

At the Queen’s Facility for Isotope Research, scientists led by Dr. Kurt Kyser are analyzing isotopes from tree rings, rocks, ice, lake sediments and mineral deposits. Isotopes are forms of chemical elements that are slightly altered at the atomic level, and the researchers have developed a way to measure them that makes it possible to use the isotopes as tracers for elements and compounds moving around in the near surface environment. Their goal is to solve problems in a diversity of fields, such as controls on climate change, and locating mineral deposits, including uranium, nickel, diamonds and gold. This research will help develop ways to protect our natural environment, the safety of our food and environmentally responsible extraction of our mineral resources.

Dr. Paul Grogan
Predicting how arctic ecosystems will respond to climate change
Provincial funding:   $50,000

Although Canada contains a substantial portion of the Arctic, long-term research into the ecology of arctic tundra ecosystems and how they’re likely to respond to changes in climate has been scarce. Dr. Paul Grogan at Queen’s University is changing that. He’s studying the structure and functioning of plant and soil microbial communities at Daring Lake, north of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. His work will help answer questions about how arctic ecosystems will respond to changes in summer air temperature, winter snow accumulation, vegetation distribution and caribou migration patterns. The goal of his research is to develop optimal management strategies to adapt to changes – as well as a greater appreciation of the ecological value of the Arctic.

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See also:

• News Release:
  Fuelling Alternative Energy Research
• Backgrounder:
  Creating the Jobs, Clean Technologies and Energy Sources of the Future
• Backgrounder:
  Bioeconomy, Environment and Clean Technology Projects
• Recipients