Student theses (completed) | Environmental Geochemistry

Current projects

Ryan Hutchins (PDF): Regional and landscape drivers of greenhouse gas (CO2 and CH4) flux and dissolved organic matter composition in the Canadian Sub-Arctic.
Jennifer Mead (PhD) Linking the Source and Fate of Fe and DOM in Boreal Freshwaters.
Kai Liu (PhD): Use of Fe isotopes to reveal the biogeochemical cycle of Fe in boreal lake sediments. (Co-supervised with T. Phan)
Philip Wright (MSc): Examining Methane Dynamics of Lakes in the Canadian Subarctic.

Previous student research

Dainard, P. PhD. 2022. Cycling of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in permafrost and glacier melt water impacted freshwater systems of the Canadian Arctic.
Aukes, P. PDF. 2021. How a changing climate influences carbon cycling in arctic and sub-arctic systems, and what that means for ecosystem health and drinking water quality. (Co-supervised with J. Venkiteswaran)
Barber, E. MSc. 2021. The use of stable isotopes to examine pelagic carbon basal resources in Canadian Shield lakes.
Wright, P. BSc. 2021. Using ²H-DOM to Evaluate Carbon Cycling in Sub-Arctic Lakes.
Lanisa, M. BSc. 2020. How do N concentrations change with harmful cyanobacterial blooms in reservoirs of agricultural watersheds? A case study of two reservoirs in the Grand River Watershed.
Aukes, P. PhD. 2019. Dissolved Organic Matter in the Canadian Arctic & Sub-Arctic: Importance of DOM Quality & Quantity in a Warming Climate to Previous Student research.
Garda, D. MSc. 2019. Persistence of Phosphorous, Nitrogen and artificial sweeteners in three septic system plumes with differing redox conditions. (Co-supervised with W. Robertson)
Zhao, W. BSc. 2019. Photochemical degradation of Acesulfame in the Grand River.
Mead, J. PhD. 2017. The control of Fe and pH on the cycling and analysis of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in oligotrophic Canadian shield waters.
McQuay, E. MSc. 2017. Predicting Hypolimnetic Iron Release Using a Parsimonious Redox Model.
Sine, S. MSc. 2017. Paradigm Shift: Does River Metabolism Mask the Isotopic Signal of Nitrate Sources?
Cejudo, E. PhD. 2016. Fate of wastewater nutrients in a large impacted river. (Co-supervised with Dr. Ramon Aravena)
DeBaets, B. MSc. 2016. Effect of Reservoirs on River O₂ dynamics. (Co-supervised with Dr. William Taylor)
Natalie Senger, MSc. 2016. Trends in groundwater nitrate in an agricultural basin in Southern Ontario. Co-supervised by Dr. John Spoelstra.
Grise, S. BSc. 2016. Examining the Isotopic and Nitrogen Fluctuations of Epilithon in the Grand River.
Hambly, D. BSc. 2016. Time Trend Analysis of Three Major Rivers in the Northwest Territories.
Klemt, W. BSc. 2016. Using stable isotopes to Investigate the sources of Nitrate at Three Agricultural Fields in Souris, PEI, Canada.
Mao, S. BSc. 2016. An examination of Nitrate Concentration and Export in the Nith River.
Mesec, E. BSc. 2016. Quantifying NO₃ export of a Storm Event from A Small Agricultural Catchement: Use of a SUNA NO₃ Probe for Continuous Measurements vs Periodic Sampling Methods.
Zheng, X. BSc. 2016. Evaluation of sources of sulfate in the Lake Hazen Watershed using natural stable isotopes of sulfate.
Cummings, F. MSc. 2015. Assessing the source and cycling of Nitrogen in the Conestoga River.
Morrison, A. MSc. 2015. Assessing the use ¹⁸O-PO₄ methods in a large impacted river. (Co-supervised with Dr. William Taylor)
Venkiteswaran, J. PDF. 2014, Use of stable isotope tracers in ecological studies.
Lehnherr, I. PDF. 2014, Nutrient Cycling and mercury contamination in arctic ecosystems.
Coulson, P. BSc. 2014. Using Sulfur Isotopes to track water sources in a Flooded Wetland Experiment.
Cui, Y. BSc. 2014. Periphyton Contribution to Nitrogen Dynamics in the Granbd River focusing on the effects of light.
Duncan, I. BSc. 2014. Decline Of Sulphate Concentrations In Lakes Of The Experimental Lakes Area: an Indicator Of Climate Change and Climate Trends.
Xiong, C. BSc. 2014. Characterization of the Epilithic Biofilm in the Grand River Watershed.
Chen, G. PhD, 2013. River ecosystem oxygen metabolism in the Grand River Basin, Ontario, Canada: Application of the ¹⁸O-O₂approach.
Rosamond, M. PhD. 2013. Nitrous oxide and nitrate in the Grand River, Ontario: Sources, production pathways and predictability.
Herrera, R. MSc. 2013. Dynamics of the Groundwater and Surface Water Interactions to Predict Mass Flxes into the Grand River at Glen Morris, Ontario. (Co-supervised with Dr. Ramon Aravena)
Shao, H. BSc, 2013. 15N characterization of Precipitation in Northwestern Ontario.
Hood, J. PhD. 2012. Coupling geochemical cycles in lotic systems: Anthropogenic changes to phosphorus and oxygen cycles and the consequences riverine nitrogen cycling, nutrient storage and transport, and nitrous oxide emission.
Aukes, P. MSc, 2012. Characterization of Dissolved Organic Matter Using a Liquid Chromatography – Organic Carbon Detection from a Variety of Surface and Ground Water Environments.
Flinn, N. MSc. 2012. N cycling in a small eutrophic boreal shield lake.
Westberg, E. MSc. 2012. The Use of Environmental Isotopes and Temperature as Tools to Characterize Groundwater Discharge to the Grand River, Ontario, Canada.
Cummings, F. BSc. 2012. Kettle Wetlands as sentinels of change: A temporal comparison of the hydrochemistry of a small kettle wetland in Southern Ontario.
Snider, D. PhD. 2011. ¹⁵N/¹⁴N and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O stable isotope ratios of nitrous oxide produced in temperate forest and agricultural soils.
Hutchins, R. MSc. 2011. Determination of Fate and Transport of Dissolved Organic Matter in the Impacted Grand River and Natural Burnt River Watersheds Using Chemical, Physical, Fluorescence and Isotopic Properties.
Hollingham, M. BSc. 2011. Groundwater Nitrate: Impact of Agricultural activities on Municipal Water Supplies. (Co-supervised with J. Spoelstra)
Zhang, X. BSc 2011. Isotopic analysis of NH₄⁺: is the oxidation technique suitable for organic rich samples?
Chomicki, K. PhD. 2010. The use of stable isotopes to examine the fate of DOM in 2 small oligotropic shield lakes.
Jamieson, T. PhD. 2010. Quantification of Oxygen Dynamics in the Grand River Using a Stable Isotope Approach. Co-supervised with W. Taylor.
Beawerwala, J. BSc. 2010. Ammonium volatilization in the Grand River during winter.
Flood, K. BSc. 2010. Investigating Nitrate in the Innisfil Creek Subwatershed. (Co-supervised with J. Spoelstra)
Faiz, F. BSc. 2008. ¹⁵N/¹⁴N of Grasses in the Riparian Zone of a Small Agricultural Creek: An Indicator of Denitrification in Discharging Groundwater? Co-supervised with J. Spoelstra.
Vandenhof, A. BSc. 2007. Extreme N₂O Production in a Riparian Zone with a Low Organic Carbon Content Aquifer. Co-supervised with W. Robertson.
Timsic, S. Fate of methane in the Grand River, Ontario.
Venkiteswaran, J. PhD 2008. Greenhouse Gas Cycling in Experimental Boreal Reservoirs.
Thuss, S. MSc. 2008 Processes of N₂O Production in the Grand River.
Rempel, M. MSc. 2008. N₂O Production in the Strawberry Creek Catchment.
Spoelstra, J. PDF. Development and application of stable isotope techniques to study the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon in forested and agricultural watersheds.
Thuss, S. B.Sc. 2006. Temporal Variability of Dissolved Nitrous Oxide in Drainage Waters From A First Order Agricultural Basin.
Goemans, S. B.Sc. 2006. Temporal and Spatial Variations of Nitrous Oxide in the Grand River.
Sentence, K. MSc. 2005. DOM Cycling in a Canadian Shield Catchment: A Method for Stable Isotope Organic Sulphur and Oxygen Isotope Analysis.
Sebol, L. PhD. 2004. Evaluating Shallow Groundwater Age Tracers: Br^-, CFCs, ³H, SF₆ & HCFCs/HFCs. (Co-supervised Dr. W. Robertson)
Spoelstra, J. PhD 2004. Impact of Forest Harvest on N Export From a Precambrian Shield Catchment.
Saquet, M. MSc. 2003. Greenhouse gas flux and budget from an experimentally flooded wetland using stable isotopes and geochemistry.
Maurice, K. BSc. 2003. Use of Stable Isotopes, Dissolved Oxygen and DIC Concentrations to Examine Diurnal Water Column Variations in the FLUDEX Reservoirs at the ELA.
Humphries, S. MSc. 2002. Stable Isotopes of Sulphur and Oxygen in Forested Catchments: Insight from New Techniques into Sulphur Cycling and Dissolved Organic Matter Alteration.
Venkiteswaran, J. MSc. 2002. A Process-Based Stable Isotope Approach to Carbon Cycling in Recently Flooded Upland Boreal Forest Reservoirs. (Co-supervised with Dr. R. Aravena)
Eimers, C. PhD 2002. Sources and Controls of Sulphur Export in Precambrian Shield Catchment in South-Central Ontario. (Co-supervised with Dr. P. Dillon)
Jung, T. MSc. 2002. A Technique for Measuring the Lability of Dissolved Organic Carbon from Various Field Sites using Laboratory Microcosms. (Co-supervised with Dr. R. Aravena)
Ramlal, P. PhD. 2002. DON and DOC cycling in Lake Malawi, Africa. (Co-supervised with Dr. B. Hecky)
Boudreau, N. MSc. 2001. Soil Carbon, carbon dioxide, and methane in three experimentally flooded upland boreal forest reservoirs: A δ¹³C inventory of sources and processes. (Co-supervised with Dr. R. Aravena)
Baril, M. BSc. 2001.Dissolved inorganic carbon from the decomposition of vegetation and soils of flooded reservoirs: Stable carbon isotope ratios.
Zurawsky, M. MSc. 2000. Phosphate mobilization in the unsaturated zone beneath septic system infiltration beds. (Co-supervised with Dr. C. Ptacek and Dr. W. Robertson)
Cabrera, F. MSc. 2000. Nitrate Attenuation in a First-Order Stream and Associated Riparian Zone in an Agricultural Watershed in Southern Ontario.
Sebol, L. MSc. 2000. Determination of Groundwater Age Using CFCs in Three Shallow Aquifers in Southern Ontario. (Co-supervised with Dr. J. Cherry and Dr. W. Roberston)
Heagle, D. MSc. 2000. Nitrate Geochemistry of a Regional Aquifer in an Agricultural Landscape, Woodstock, Ontario (Co-supervised with Dr. R. Aravena)
Ferguson G. BSc. 2000. Sources of dissolved organic carbon in flooded uplands
Browne, C. MSc. 1999. The role of a Riparian wetland in attenuating Nitrate contaminated groundwater in an agricultural catchment. (Co-supervised with Dr. R. Aravena)
Lortie, S.L. BSc. 1999. An Evaluation of the Origin and Fate of NO₃^- at Strawberry Creek Using the Stable Isotopes ¹⁵N and ¹⁸O.
Hinton, M. PhD. 1998. The Role of Groundwater Flow in Streamflow Generation Within Two Small Forested Watersheds of the Canadian Shield. (Co-supervised with Dr. M. English)
Lamontagne, S. PhD. 1998. Nitrogen Cycling in the Upland Boreal Shield Forest: Response to an Experimental Addition of Nitrate. (Co-supervised with Dr. R. Aravena)
Ziolkowski, L. BSc. 1998.
Whiffen, M. BSc. 1998. Detection of Cyanotixins in Whitewater Lake.
McCrindle, P. MSc. 1997. Tracing Nitrate Sources In A Forest Ecosystem Using ¹⁸O/¹⁶O and ¹⁵N/¹⁴N In Nitrate. (Co-supervised with Dr. R. Aravena)
Poschadel, C. MSc. 1997. Floating Peat Island Formation at an Experimentally Flooded Wetland: Impacts on Methane and Carbon Dioxide Production and Flux Rates to the Atmosphere. (Co-supervised with Dr. R. Aravena)
Peebles, K. BSc. 1997.Removal of Ammonium from Rainwater for ¹⁵N Analysis.
O'Hara S. MSc. 1997. Solvent DNAPL Flow and Matrix Diffusion in Natural Fractured Clay: A Large Column Experiment. (Co-supervised with Dr. J. Cherry and Dr. B. Parker)
Mewhinney, E. MSc. 1996. The Importance Of Hydrology To Carbon Dynamics In A Small Boreal Forest Wetland. (Co-supervised with Dr. R. Aravena)
Zanini, L. MSc. 1996. Phosphorous Characterization in Sediments Under Four Septic Systems in Ontario. (Co-supervised with Dr. W. Robertson and Dr. C. Ptacek)
Fishback , L. MSc. 1995. Seasonal Active Layer Development In The High Arctic Colour Lake, Axel Heiberg Island, NWT.
Currie, L. MSc. 1995. Hydrogeochemical Relationships in a Kettle Wetland in Southern Ontario. (Co-supervised with Dr. R. Aravena)
McRae, C. BSc. 1995. Examination Of Sulphur Isotopes To Determine The Source Of Sulphate In Colour Lake, Axel Heiberg Island, NWT.
Ryan, C. PhD. 1994. Carbon And Nitrogen Dynamics In Agricultural Soils And Shallow Groundwater At Two Southern Ontario Sites. (Co-supervised with Dr. B. Gillham)
Sutherland, K. MSc. 1994. The Transport and Transformation of Nitrogen and Dissolved Organic Carbon from Liquid Swine Manure Applied on soil Columns. (Co-supervised with Dr. G. Kachanoski and Dr. B. Gillham)
Rasmussen, P. PhD. 1993. The Environmental significance of Geological Sources of Mercury: A Precambrian Shield Watershed Study. (Co-supervised with Dr. J.O. Nriagu)
Wood, J. MSc. 1993. Migration Of Septic-system Contaminated groundwater To A Lake In A precambrian Shield Setting: A Case Study.
Alpay, S. BSc. 1993. Fate of Wasterwater Nutrients (N and P) Beneath Septic Tile Fields in Low Permeability Sediments. (Co-supervised with Dr. W. Robertson)
Solomon, K. PhD. 1992. The Use of Tritium and Helium Isotopes to Determine Groundwater Recharge to Unconfined Aquifers. (Co-supervised with Dr. J. Cherry)
Robertson, W. PhD. 1992. Atmospherically-Derived Sulphate and Tritium in Sandy Recharge Areas of Central Canada. (Co-supervised with Dr. J. Cherry)
Wills, J. MSc. 1992. Estimating the Hydrologic and Chemical Importance of Groundwater Input to a Precambrian Shield Lake.
Van Warmerdam, E. BSc. 1991. The Geology and Hydrogeology of Paradise Lake, Ontario.
Wilhelm, S. MSc. 1990. The Geochemical Evolution of Domestic Wastewater in Septic Systems. (Co-supervised with Dr. J. Cherry)
Dankevy, S. MSc. 1989. Groundwater Flow and Chemistry in a small Acid-stressed Sub-Catchment of the Canadian Shield.