Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The detection of ciguatoxins (CTXs) in biological samples is challenging due to their low concentrations, the presence of various congeners, and the absence of standardized methods. This study uses high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) with P-CTX-3B as a reference standard. The protonated molecules ([M+H]+) were most prevalent, especially when acetonitrile/water was utilized,… more
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Owen Sound Bay, which is located within the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), is contaminated as a result of historical industrial and shipping activity. Gross contamination of the sediments in the inner part of the Bay (i.e., Owen Sound Harbour) includes high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other organic compounds, as well as metals… more
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The Hudson Bay region is a sensitive environment, where anthropogenic (e.g., dams, diversions, and/or reservoirs) impacts have increased in recent decades, potentially influencing the functioning of the ecosystem. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) entering Hudson Bay comes from both terrestrial (allochthonous) and aquatic (autochthonous) sources. The chemical composition of DOM is important… more
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Microcontaminants originating from wastewater effluent and run-off from agricultural lands may be present in the sources of drinking water for rural and Indigenous communities in mixed-use watersheds. In this study, a convergent parallel mixed-methods design was applied to assess measured and perceived risks of contamination in the sources of drinking water for two communities; the Six… more
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>In the Wabigoon/English River system, mercury concentrations downstream from Dryden, ON, where there was a former chlor-alkali plant, remain elevated in sediments and biota. Understanding the current extent and severity of mercury contamination downstream from the former chlor-alkali plant is of great interest in furthering the clean-up of mercury within the traditional territory of… more
Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Poo Palam, Kosheela, Thesis advisor (ths): NARINE, SURESH S, Degree committee member (dgc): Vreugdenhil, Andrew, Degree committee member (dgc): Hill, Stephen, Degree committee member (dgc): Metcalfe, Chris, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Energy storage efficiency and sustainability require advanced technologies and novel materials. Recently, bio-based phase change materials (PCMs) have received significant attention for thermal energy storage (TES) uses. Vegetable oils are versatile renewable feedstocks that are well suited for the development of sustainable, functional PCMs. PCMs derived from vegetable oil, which… more
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>In this thesis, aerosolization was studied as a possible means of water remediation for several environmentally relevant pharmaceutical pollutants, known for their persistence in wastewater effluent and potable water sources. Seven different pharmaceutical compounds and a well-known plasticizer were all shown to decrease considerably in concentration in aerosol that was produced and… more
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Elemental selenium has been extensively quantitatively measured in sediments; however, its physical composition is largely unknown, despite it being the dominant selenium species in some reducing environments. Here, for the first time, it is shown that small, cyclic selenium compounds can account for a quantitatively-relevant fraction of the total elemental selenium present. </p>… more
Year: 2018, 2018
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The potential impacts of domestic wastewater (DWW) on the source of drinking water for the M'Chigeeng First Nation were monitored as part of the development of a Source Water Protection plan. During a period of continuous overflow of the Gaaming Wastewater Lagoon serving the community, the chemical tracers, caffeine and sucralose were tracked in West Bay with Passive Organic… more
Year: 2017, 2017
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>A catchment-based study was carried out at three remote acid sensitive Irish lakes to determine concentrations of Hg and POPs and to investigate the factors governing the partitioning of these pollutants in various environmental matrices. Both Hg and POPs are an environmental concern due to their ability to travel long distances via atmospheric transport and their tendency to accumulate… more
Year: 2017, 2017
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Exposure of pre-metamorphic amphibians to neonicotinoid insecticides may be contributing to the global decline in amphibian populations. In this study, anuran embryos and tadpoles of the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) and the North American leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) were used to determine the effects of embryonic exposure to neonicotinoids. In addition, Xenopus was used to… more
Year: 2017, 2017
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This study focused on detecting 22 target anti-estrogenic and anti-androgenic compounds in surface waters influenced by both discharges of municipal wastewater and agricultural runoff in Canada and Argentina. Polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) were used to monitor the target compounds in surface waters. The removals of the target compounds in a municipal wastewater… more
Year: 2016, 2016
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The epoxides of oligomeric self-metathesized soybean oil (MSBO) and cross-metathesized palm oil (PMTAG) and canola oil (CMTAG) containing terminal double bonds were used to produce nonisocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) as well as anhydride, amine and thiol-cured epoxies. </p><p>The synthesized NIPUs displayed metal adhesive properties for CMTAG and MSBO with MSBO being favoured… more
Year: 2016, 2016
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Shetranjiwalla, Shegufta, Thesis advisor (ths): NARINE, SURESH S, Thesis advisor (ths): Vreugdenhil, Andrew, Degree committee member (dgc): Metcalfe, Chris, Degree committee member (dgc): Dawson, Peter, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Thermoplastic poly(ester urethane)s (TPEU)s derived from vegetable oils possess inferior physical properties compared to their entirely petroleum-based counterparts due to the structural limitations and lower reactivity of the precursor lipid-derived monomers. The present work shows that high molecular weight of TPEUs with enhanced performance can be obtained from lipid-derived monomers… more
Year: 2015, 2015
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Agricultural land application of biosolids recycles nutrients and organic matter to the soil, however the effect of treatment process on nutrient availability requires further research for better nutrient management. This study examined the bioavailability of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in alkaline treated biosolids (TB) when amended into three different soils. Despite a 45%… more
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) released into aquatic environments could threaten natural bacterial communities and ecosystem services they provide. We examined natural lake bacterioplankton communities' responses to different exposures (pulse vs chronic) and types (citrate and PVP) of AgNPs at realistic environmental conditions using a mesocosm study at the Experimental Lakes Area. An… more
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The fate of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in surface waters determines the ecological risk of this emerging contaminant. In this research, the fate of AgNPs in lake mesocosms was studied using both a continuous (i.e. drip) and one-time (i.e. plug) dosing regime. AgNPs were persistent in the tested lake environment as there was accumulation in the water column over time in drip mesocosms… more
Year: 2013, 2013
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Silver nanoparticles (nAg) are the largest and fastest growing class of nanomaterials, and are a concern when released into aquatic environments even at low μg L<super>-1</super. levels. Measurement at environmental levels requires extremely sensitive instrumentation, therefore this research developed two passive samplers to track the the concentration of nAg and… more