2021 Virtual Atlantic and Eastern Canadian Symposium on Water Quality Research on Nov. 2-3, 2021(English)

Symposium objectives

Objectives of the symposium are to bring together people in diverse fields of water quality management and research to present achievements and innovations in science, engineering, and policy, and further the exchange of information for public benefit between universities, consultants, industry, and government in Canada and worldwide.

Oral podium presentations along with One-Slide 3 minutes presentations are solicited across the proposed symposium themes. The organizing committee also encourages the submission of high-quality abstracts on themes that are not listed but are based on innovative studies and/or commercial applications that are related to water quality issues.

If you would like to organize a special session, please contact conference co-chairs Prof. Bing Chen (bchen@mun.ca) and Prof. Banu Örmeci (banu.ormeci@carleton.ca).

Registration Deadline

Register by Friday, October 29th: 
https://www.cawq.ca/en/1vae/ (English) https://www.cawq.ca/fr/1vae/( French)

Submission of Abstracts

Authors are requested to submit an extended abstract to peoplenetwork@mun.ca. The submission deadline is:

September 17, 2021

The extended submission deadline is:

September 24, 2021

Keynote Speakers

Prof. Pascale Champagne
Director General, Energy Mining and Environment (EME), National Research Council (NRC)
Adjunct Professor, Department of Chemistry, Queen’s University
Scientific Director, Contaminants of Emerging Concern Research Excellence Network (CEC-REN)
Click here for the biography

Keynote speech:

Photosynthetically-enhanced eco-engineered treatment systems

Abstract: The biological treatment of contaminated effluents in cold climate regions is one of the greatest challenges for environmental engineers, as these systems, although considered robust, can be subject to significant fluctuations in contaminant loadings, as well as ambient climate conditions, which can ultimately affect their performance. These factors are compounded in small, remote and rural areas where the use of conventional treatment systems is not logistically or economically feasible, and passive, semi-passive or naturalized treatment systems are the most suitable alternative by virtue of their ease of operation, minimal energy input, reduced maintenance requirements. In the next decade, increasingly efficient treatment systems, designed to operate under temperate conditions, will be required to meet increasingly stringent effluent discharge guidelines and minimize detrimental effects on receiving environments. Although used extensively, concerns associated with the long-term performance and functional reliability of these systems compared to conventional, but less sustainable, treatment systems have been raised. However, these challenges may be largely addressed by the implementation of carefully designed and integrated biological processes in eco-engineered systems.

This research aims to address the following scientific question: can photosynthetic organisms be employed in integrated eco-engineered treatment systems located in small, remote or isolated areas to enhance the mitigation of persistent organic and/or metal contaminants. More specifically, it examines the role of algae in enhancing photobiological degradation of persistent organic contaminants (POCs), as well as their role in enhancing the mitigation of metal-rich wastewaters using N-fixing cyanobacteria and microbially-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) to stabilize metals in tailings. Critical factors limiting the widespread adoption of eco-engineered treatment technologies have been the lack of a standardized understanding of temperature and water chemistry effects on treatment process mechanisms within these systems, and a more robust basis of comparison within and between systems as they evolve with time. Hence, a focus must be placed on better understanding the dynamic interactions influencing the performance, enabling the development of a toolkit which would lead to more robust design guidelines that follow an evidence-based approach. This could be a great benefit to the Canadian mining and oil and gas industry who are often located in remote or isolated sites, and produce large volumes of processing effluents that require subsequent treatment prior to water reuse or discharge to receiving environments.

Prof. Joan Rose
Professor & Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research
Departments of Fisheries & Wildlife and Plant, Soil and Microbiological Science
Michigan State University, USA
IWA Journal Editor, IWA Board Member
Click here for the biography

Keynote speech:

From Polio to COVID: Environmental Virology at its Best

Abstract: Since the era of waterborne jaundice and polio, diseases spread by viruses were present prior to our understanding of these unique biological entities. Environmental virology attempts to understand the disease risk through the monitoring of viruses in wastewater, fresh and marine waters. The advent of molecular tools and high throughput sequencing technologies coupled with metagenomics has offered the opportunity to identify human viral pathogens including the global spread of diseases such as COVID-19. We now have the ability to monitor community health via the surveillance of our wastewater thus addressing global grand challenges including the implementation of worldwide vaccination programs.

Instructions for extended abstract preparation

In order to facilitate the production of the book of abstracts for all attendees, please follow the format guidelines below.

Students and YWP awards

In order to encourage students’ and YWPs’ participation and showcasing their talents and the quality of their research, several awards will be given:

Presenters are invited to submit their full manuscripts for the special issues in:

Water Quality Research Journal, a quarterly publication by the Canadian Association on Water Quality (CAWQ) and the International Water Association (IWA) Publishing (https://iwaponline.com/wqrj)

Environmental Systems Research, an peer-reviewed, open-access journal by the PEOPLE Network and Springer. (https://environmentalsystemsresearch.springeropen.com)

Please consult the Instructions for Authors on the websites of the journals.

Co-chairs

Prof. Bing Chen

Department of Civil Engineering
Memorial University
Director, Network on Persistent, Emerging, and Organic PoLlution in the Environment (PEOPLE Network)
E-mail: bchen@mun.ca
Phone: (709) 864-8958

Prof. Banu Örmeci

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Carleton University
Director, Global Water Institute (GWI)
E-mail: banu.ormeci@carleton.ca
Phone: (613) 520-2600, ext. 4144

Prof. Patrick Drogui

Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS-ETE)
Director, CREATE- TEDGIEER Program in Environmental Decontamination Technologies and Integrated Water and Wastewater Management
E-mail: patrick.drogui@inrs.ca
Phone: 418-654-3119