Media Availability: With Keystone spill, questions remain about oil's impact on fresh water
Oil spills, such as the recent spill from the Keystone pipeline in South Dakota, will have an impact on the surrounding environment. Experts from IISD Experimental Lakes Area are available for media to break down what we know about the impact of oil on fresh water systems.
Oil spills, such as the recent spill from the Keystone pipeline in South Dakota, will have an impact on the surrounding environment.
Experts from IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA)—the world's freshwater laboratory—are available for media to break down what we know about the impact of oil on fresh water systems.
Groundbreaking research at IISD-ELA is currently exploring how oil behaves when it enters fresh water systems, and what the most effective clean-up methods are.
To speak with any of the experts below, please contact Sumeep Bath at [email protected] or +1 (204) 958 7700 ext. 740.
Dr. Vince Palace is an aquatic toxicologist with over 25 years' experience working on chemical and non-chemical stressors on fresh water. He is leading one of the studies at IISD-ELA on the effects of oil on fresh water, and has led projects on the impacts of agriculture, hydroelectric power, the oil and gas industry, and mining on aquatic ecosystems.
Matthew McCandless has over 20 years' experience in hydrology, water quality and bioprocessing—combining both policy and technical research. Matthew is the executive director of IISD Experimental Lakes Area. He directs the science and policy portfolios of the world's freshwater laboratory, and oversees its administration and operation.
Several studies are currently being pursued at the IISD-ELA to address public and regulatory concerns regarding potential environmental effects of oil spills and uncertainty regarding the best clean-up methods following a spill, especially for freshwater environments. One study, led by Drs. Jules Blais (University of Ottawa), Mark Hanson (University of Manitoba) and Diane Orihel (Queen’s University) will examine the ecological impacts of contained diluted bitumen model spills in a freshwater boreal lake. A companion study, led by Dr. Vince Palace (IISD-ELA) will compare the effectiveness of different methods for cleaning spilled oil form shorelines. Both studies are part of a large multidisciplinary program that includes participation from governments (ECCC, DFO, NRCan, OMECC, OMNRF), regulators (NEB), academic partners (Universities of Manitoba, Ottawa, Queen’s, INRS, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Mcgill) and industry (Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), Canadian Energy Pipelines Association (CEPA)). For more information, please contact Sumeep Bath at [email protected]
About IISD
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with 3 decades of experience working to solve the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise in a wide range of issues with a collaborative approach to research, policy advice, and hands-on support to ensure these solutions are brought to life. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 professionals working from offices in Canada, Switzerland, and other locations around the world.
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