I study alterations to water quality downstream of peatlands in the Northwest Territories. Peatlands store vast quantities of carbon and nutrients and face uncertain futures as wildfire and climate change thaw permafrost in the region. Indigenous and northern communities have expressed specific concerns about potential brownification, algal blooms, and mercury bioaccumulation due to these factors. With potential human and environmental health implications, this research aims to quantify and explore these changes through incorporating a latitudinal gradient, wildfire presence, and seasonal changes.
As an undergraduate student, co-op learning opportunities exposed me to field work in challenging but rewarding conditions and sparked my interest in the role of water quality in environmental health. Working in the Canadian Arctic is a new experience for me, and the NSERC CREATE LEAP program has been influential in building my knowledge base. I aspire to continue working on pressing Canadian water-related issues. As the foundation for environmental and human health, the importance of understanding and safeguarding water has never been more vital.
