Dr. Vince Palace (IISD-Experimental Lakes Area)
Summary
In this webinar, Dr. Vince Palace, head research scientist at the IISD-Experimental Lakes Area, will discuss recent experiments done at the ELA to better understand how diluted bitumen affects freshwater ecosystems. Diluted bitumen, or dilbit, is a form of heavy petroleum product, created by mixing a solvent (diluent) with bitumen, a thick, tarry type of crude oil. The mixture is sufficiently viscous that it can be transported via pipelines or rail. The mixture is, however, toxic to aquatic organisms and thus threatens waterways when spills happen during transport.
Dr. Palace will discuss with us the research conducted by his team to investigate the impacts of dilbit in freshwater ecosystems and examine recovery responses to clean-up efforts. We hope you'll be able to join us for this one-hour webinar, and as always, come prepared to ask questions and engage the presenters in discussion! Note that this session will be recorded for rebroadcast on the LOWWSF website.
We hope you’ll join us for this one-hour webinar, and, as always, come prepared to ask questions and engage the presenter in discussion! Please note that this session will be recorded and made available afterward on the LOWWSF website.
About the Presenters:
Dr. Vince Palace is an aquatic toxicologist with 25 years of experience in determining exposure, evaluating potential impacts and developing mitigation strategies related to chemical and non-chemical aquatic stressors. Working with industry, government and community stakeholders, Vince has led projects on the impacts of agriculture, hydroelectric power, the oil and gas industry, and mining on aquatic ecosystems.
Additionally, Vince has extensive project experience with multilevel examinations of wastewaters from mines, pulp and paper mills and municipal effluents. He brings considerable experience with Canada’s regulatory framework for Environmental Effects Monitoring to IISD-ELA.
Vince is an active adjunct Professor and Lecturer at the University of Manitoba in the departments of Biological Sciences and Environment and Geography. His expert opinion and testimony have been sought by national and international clients including the United Nations Environment Program, Environment Canada, Health Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the US EPA, World Fisheries Trust, among others.