

SESSION LIST
View the list of sessions at CEW Saskatoon.
Click a name for contact info.
Metals and Metalloids in the Environment
Jorgelina Muscatello (Lorax Environmental)
Meghan Goertzen (Lorax Environmental)
This session aims to explore the multifaceted roles, impacts, and management strategies associated with metals and metalloids in natural and human-influenced systems. Metals and metalloids are both essential and potentially hazardous, serving as vital nutrients for biological processes yet posing significant risks when concentrations exceed certain environmental thresholds. The session will address the sources of metals and metalloids, ranging from natural geological processes to anthropogenic activities such as mining, industrial emissions, and urban runoff, and their pathways into soils, water bodies, and the atmosphere. Presentations will examine the complex interactions between metals and environmental compartments, including bioavailability, mobility, and transformation mechanisms. Discussions will focus on the latest research methods for detecting and quantifying metals, advances in understanding their ecological effects, and case studies illustrating the consequences of metal pollution across Canadian and international contexts. Special attention will be given to emerging contaminants, such as rare earth elements and nanoparticles, alongside traditional metals of concern like cobalt, cadmium, lead, mercury, and selenium. The session will also highlight innovative remediation strategies, policy frameworks, and community engagement approaches that promote sustainable management of metal contaminants. Participants are encouraged to share interdisciplinary insights, from geochemistry and toxicology to environmental engineering and public policy. By fostering dialogue among researchers, practitioners, government and industry, this session seeks to advance collaborative solutions and forecast innovative science.
Novel approaches and applying environmental relevance to aquatic toxicity testing
Carolyn Martinko (Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Jack Salole (McMaster University)
Pria Mahabir (Syngenta)
Amanda Reside (University of Guelph)
Laboratory-based ecotoxicity test methods using representative taxa are developed and validated by researchers and standardization organizations (e.g., ECCC, USEPA, OECD). Data from these methods are used in applications including environmental monitoring, risk assessments, regulatory frameworks, and contaminated site management. There is a growing interest to include underrepresented taxa, new technologies, and alternatives to traditional biological endpoints (survival, growth, reproduction) in these applications, which has led to new method development. This session will focus on innovative approaches for assessing the toxicity of complex mixtures or contaminants of concern in aquatic media (freshwater, saltwater, sediment). Novel methodologies and applications of ecologically relevant single-species tests are of particular interest, as well as tests using alternative endpoints (e.g., biochemical/physiological measurements, behaviour, development, endocrine disruption), cell lines, and ‘omics. This session will also encompass the application of test methods and the interpretation of test results in environmentally relevant contexts. Many ecotoxicity studies are performed in controlled conditions following standardized guidelines, which may present challenges in fully capturing the impacts of environmental processes that influence toxicity, or may facilitate assessment of site-specific considerations in complex environments. Studies that investigate the applicability of data to real-world environments are of interest, such as those incorporating multiple stressors, seasonal changes, wild species, mesocosm studies, or community-driven priorities. By understanding what current test methods may be missing or taking advantage of, we can adapt regulatory and risk assessment practices to utilize novel methods and improve the accuracy, relevance, and applicability of ecotoxicity studies.
Wildlife Ecotoxicology: Linking Exposure Pathways to Ecologically Relevant Outcome
Christy Morrissey (University of Saskatchewan)
Christina Petalas (McGill University)
Robert Kesic (University of Saskatchewan)
Wildlife encounter contaminants through complex combinations of dietary, inhalation, and dermal exposure, often at levels that do not cause immediate mortality but lead to chronic or sublethal impacts with ecological significance. Understanding these less visible but ecologically consequential effects is critical for predicting individual- and population-level outcomes, strengthening risk assessments, and informing conservation strategies. This session focusses on realistic, single- and multiple-exposure pathways, including diet, water, air, and dermal routes, while acknowledging the broader context of wildlife contamination. We welcome research integrating field observations, controlled exposure studies, mechanistic biomarkers, omics tools, and modeling approaches (e.g., TK/TD, bioenergetics, population models) in any wildlife species or community. Studies addressing legacy contaminants (e.g. organochlorines, mercury) and emerging or priority contaminants, including per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides, airborne particulates, microplastics, flame retardants, and pharmaceuticals—as well as mixtures and cumulative stressor effects are encouraged. Contributions will highlight innovative methods for quantifying real-world exposure, linking contaminant burdens to sublethal effects, and/or addressing how these effects interact with other ecological and anthropogenic stressors, such as climate change, habitat alteration, and prey type/quality. This session will bring together ecotoxicologists, wildlife biologists, environmental chemists, managers, and risk assessors to strengthen ecological risk assessments and improve the translation of sublethal toxicity into conservation-relevant outcomes and regulatory decision making.
Connecting the Dots: Linking Environmental DNA/RNA Signals to Ecological Impact
Gabrielle Scheffer (eDNA Explorer)
Caren Helbing (University of Victoria)
Ecotoxicology is moving toward ecosystem-level assessment, where understanding community responses to environmental stressors is as important as measuring chemical exposure. In parallel, molecular approaches such as environmental DNA (eDNA) and environmental RNA (eRNA) are rapidly transforming biodiversity monitoring by enabling detection of organisms and biological responses directly from environmental samples. Together, these advances create a unique opportunity to strengthen how contaminant effects and ecological risks are evaluated across systems.Molecular tools can reveal early biological signals of disturbance, shifts in community composition, and changes in ecosystem function that may not be captured through conventional monitoring alone. However, despite strong scientific progress, integration into applied ecotoxicology and regulatory frameworks remains limited. Key challenges involve translating molecular data into ecological indicators, aligning results with conventional monitoring, and gaining practitioner/decision-maker confidence.This session will provide a forum to connect molecular ecology and ecotoxicology communities and explore how emerging tools can move from research innovation to operational monitoring and environmental management.This session will showcase applied research that bridges molecular biology and ecotoxicology to support environmental decision-making. The session’s objectives are to: ● Share case studies showing how molecular and conventional survey methods compare in interpreting contaminant effects.● Promote applied research projects utilizing molecular biology (eDNA, eRNA, omics) to inform management decisions regarding contamination, ecological risk, or conservation in aquatic and terrestrial settings.● Discuss barriers (technical, interpretive, regulatory) and potential strategies for wider adoption of integrative methods.
Pesticides in the Environment: Ecotoxicity, Monitoring, Fate, and Risk Assessment
John-Mark Davies (Saskatchewan Water Security Agency)
Ryan Prosser (University of Guelph)
This session explores the environmental fate and transport of pesticides, focusing on their presence, behavior, and risk assessment. Data on water monitoring and modelling of pesticides in the environment are encouraged. Ecotoxicity data will also be a key focus, highlighting effects on non-target organisms and ecosystem functions. The session will explore standard as well as novel approaches in ecotoxicological studies, such as biomarkers and -omics technologies. We welcome contributions bridging laboratory studies and field observations, innovative strategies for mitigating pesticide impacts, as well as advancements in environmental risk assessment methodologies for pesticides. The session aims to foster dialogue among researchers, regulators, and industry professionals to enhance understanding of pesticide behavior and improve risk assessment practices.
Canada’s Oilsands: Resolving Complex Mixture Chemistry, Toxicology, and Treatment
Ian Vander Meulen (University of Saskatchewan)
Amy-Lynne Balaberda (Natural Resources Canada)
Nora A.S. Hussain (University of Alberta)
Canada’s oilsands are a vast energy resource, the development of which has afforded enormous economic opportunities to Canadians. Oilsands bitumen extraction has been historically water-intense, leading to substantial volumes (~ 400M m3) of associated oil sands process affected water. This stockpiled water and solid/semi-solid tailings are complex mixtures of water, hydrocarbons, polar organics, salts, and clays that can all contribute to toxicity and treatment complexities. Potential oilsands impacts are further complicated by upgrading and flowability treatments, where bitumen is upgraded to synthetic crude or diluted for transport, where each present distinct associated risks. The variability in products, by-products, and compositions of associated toxicants contributes to a rich research landscape from associated toxicity, remediation, reclamation, and environmental monitoring activities. Despite decades of research, critical knowledge gaps remain in linking complex mixture chemistry to toxicological outcomes and the performance of treatment technologies. Regulatory decision-making requires integrated understanding across chemistry, toxicology, and engineering disciplines This proposed session will focus on: i. Advancing understanding of complex mixture characterization and drivers of toxicity. ii. Bridging laboratory toxicity findings with field-scale monitoring and reclamation outcomes. iii. Highlighting advances in treatment technologies and mitigation strategies. iv. Fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between chemists, biologists, toxicologists, engineers, regulators, and industry scientists.
Mining and the Environment
Kelly Wells (CanNorth)
Environments adjacent to mining operations are the focus of a wide range of chemical and biological monitoring, toxicity testing, and research studies. This includes studies to meet regulatory requirements (e.g., Environmental Effects Monitoring required under the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations), baseline monitoring to inform environmental assessments, monitoring required under various permit conditions, remediation and reclamation, community-based monitoring programs, and academic research. The session could include presentations on a range of topics including study designs, results and interpretation of monitoring studies, new developments in toxicity testing and environmental monitoring, regulatory requirements, community-led monitoring, and integration of Indigenous knowledge. The session could also include presentations on monitoring in the terrestrial environment. The goal of the session is to provide an opportunity to share new, emerging, or innovative monitoring methods and research for aquatic and terrestrial environments of relevance to mining, share perspectives on mining-related environmental monitoring requirements, and explore the interface between environmental monitoring and Indigenous knowledge in the context of mining. The target audience spans all sectors including government, stakeholders/rights-holders, consulting, industry, and academics.
Chemistry, Fate, and Risks of Antimicrobials in Freshwater Ecosystems
Markus Hecker (University of Saskatchewan)
Natacha Hogan (University of Saskatchewan)
The use of antimicrobial compounds in personal care and household cleaning products continues to rise, encompassing quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., benzalkonium chloride) and legacy active ingredients such as triclosan. Conventional wastewater treatment plants often do not fully remove these chemicals, resulting in their persistence in effluents, sludges, sediments, and receiving waters. Elevated concentrations are now documented across freshwater systems worldwide, raising significant concerns about their potential impacts on aquatic organisms and ecosystem health. This session seeks abstracts that advance the environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology, and risk assessment of these compounds and their transformation products. Topics include occurrence and spatiotemporal trends; fate and transport (sorption, partitioning, photolysis, biodegradation); source apportionment and modeling; bioavailability and mixture interactions; analytical advances (passive sampling, HRMS, suspect/non-target screening); apical and mechanistic toxicity; ecosystem-level effects; and linkages to exposure and risk. We especially invite studies on under‑represented toxicological endpoints relevant to these antimicrobials: microbial community structure and function (biofilms, periphyton, nitrification/denitrification), ecosystem processes (respiration, nutrient cycling), and One Health dimensions such as antimicrobial resistance. Contributions addressing mitigation (e.g., treatment innovation, product reformulation), environmental monitoring frameworks, and weight‑of‑evidence approaches for risk assessment are also welcome.
“And all that green-ish stuff”: Photoautotrophs, Toxicology, and Society
Phoenix Nakagawa (University of Guelph)
Ryan Prosser (University of Guelph)
Ryan Rosniak (University of Guelph)
Daniel Stein (University of Guelph)
Animals have received significant focus in toxicology in recent years for development and testing of new or persistent toxicants. However, plants and algae have been overlooked in this process, with only one new Environment and Climate Change Canada test method produced within the last decade; the remaining four test methods have not been revised since 2013. In this session, we are looking for: 1) novel, regulatory, or standard toxicological assessments using algal, plant, or other photosynthetic organisms (i.e. brown algae); 2) integrated plant-environmental research that focus on the field-scale contaminant impacts of plants or algae in the environment; 3) analytical, remediation, or environmental fate processes involving significant plant or algal components. All individuals interested in, actively researching, or have significant components of photosynthetic organisms involved in their activities.
Environmental Impacts of Rubber Tires: Tire wear particles, additives, transformation products and safer alternatives
Sarah Marteinson (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
Danielle Philibert (Huntsman Marine Science Centre)
Diane Orihel (Queen's University)
Tire and road wear particles (TRWPs) contain a complex mixture of substances including transformation products which enter the atmosphere as well as terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Tire wear particles are one of the most numerous types of microplastics in the environment and some of their associated contaminants have shown toxic effects. One of these substances, 6PPD-quinone, a transformation product of the common tire antioxidant 6PPD, is lethal to coho salmon and some other salmonids at environmentally relevant concentrations. The discovery of this contaminant 5 years ago put a spotlight on this group of pollutants, and research is well underway on analytical methods, environmental monitoring, ecotoxicological effects and mechanisms of action. For this session, we invite contributions in any of these research areas, as well as presentations relating to regulatory activities or environmental mitigation and remediation strategies. Within scope are not only presentations focused on 6PPD-quinone but also on TRWPs, tire-rubber-derived substances, less-well understood transformation products, and mixtures. In addition, we invite presentations detailing research on proposed 6PPD replacement compounds aimed toward finding an effective yet more sustainable solution.
Analyzing and Communicating Environmental Data using Innovative Approaches
Environmental datasets can be notoriously complex and require an understanding of both the system under study as well as the tools used to visualize and analyze such data. Interpreting and communicating results of environmental data analysis is foundational to understanding the natural world and supports management, conservation, assessment, and monitoring of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Data analysis and visualization tools are diversifying and becoming more readily available, as a growing set of tools applicable to environmental data. This session shines a spotlight on novel, innovative, and emerging approaches for analyzing data and communicating results, through case studies, workflows, and applied examples. The goal is to showcase the diversity of approaches taken to answer environmental questions and share methods across disciplines, thereby improving the quality of applied environmental science. This session will provide an opportunity to discuss the appropriate use, nuance, and efficacy of analytical tools, including statistical and data science-based approaches, and to communicate lessons learned when using novel approaches. The target audience for this session includes researchers and students, practitioners, communicators, policymakers, and anyone who applies data analysis and visualization methods to environmental data. We aim to build the analytical toolbox of attendees by facilitating knowledge sharing, fostering collaboration, and inspiring innovation in the analysis and presentation of scientific findings to better understand the natural environment and improve science communication.
Weaving Indigenous and Western Science: Intersection of Indigenous peoples, Science, and Policy
Jesse Sinclair (LGL Limited)
Annie Chalifour (LGL Limited)
Phoenix Nakagawa (University of Guelph)
Dilber Yunus (IISD - Experimental Lakes Area)
Indigenous Knowledge is recognized as holistic, site-specific, and deeply meaningful to place; however, Indigenous Knowledge and data have often been excluded from scientific studies due to the perception of “inadequate quality” and the observational nature of data. Recently, government agencies and funding programs have started to encourage the incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge into scientific research, but a significant question remains unanswered: how do researchers ethically and effectively weave knowledge systems together? As environmental practitioners develop novel and robust methods of research, questions regarding data sovereignty, the use of Indigenous Knowledge, and data in shared-decision making and public policy are beginning to emerge, especially within interdisciplinary circles. In this session, reflections on the successes and challenges of intersecting knowledge systems in the context of data sovereignty and ecotoxicology are encouraged with a goal of discussing how to implement programs with a wholistic perspective. We welcome quantitative and qualitative studies that involve consultation, knowledge sharing, training, or research with Indigenous communities.
Emerging Risks in Marine Ecotoxicology: From Pollutants to Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal
Danielle Philibert (Huntsman Marine Science Centre)
Marine ecosystems—including coastal, estuarine, and openocean environments—are increasingly exposed to complex mixtures of anthropogenic contaminants and accelerating climatedriven environmental changes. Coastal regions, in particular, receive inputs from wastewater, industry, agriculture, maritime activities, and river systems, introducing diverse contaminants such as hydrocarbons, pesticides, nutrients, metals, microplastics, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging chemicals of concern. Concurrently, climate stressors including ocean warming, acidification, hypoxia, and shifting salinity regimes can alter contaminant bioavailability and modify organismal responses, resulting in additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects that complicate ecotoxicological assessment. An emerging area relevant to marine ecotoxicology is the development of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) technologies, including ocean alkalinity enhancement, and direct ocean carbon capture processes. While these approaches may contribute to climate mitigation, they may also alter water chemistry or introduce novel materials, creating potential ecological risks that remain poorly understood. This session invites research spanning molecular to ecosystemlevel responses across all marine taxa and habitats, using in vitro, in vivo, field, monitoring, and modelling approaches. By integrating studies on novel marine methods, contaminants, environmental stressors, and mCDR, this session aims to advance mechanistic understanding, inform environmental risk assessment, and identify critical data gaps to support the protection of marine species and ecosystems.
General Ecotoxicology
Steve Wiseman (Lethbridge)
Does your session not fit into a category above? Select this option when submitting your abstract!
PFAS in the Environment: Sources, Pathways, and Receptors in Risk Assessment
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continue to challenge environmental scientists, regulators, and risk assessors due to their persistence, diversity, and widespread occurrence. This session brings together research that spans from sources, fate, bioaccumulation, and ecological risk of PFAS in aquatic environments. Presentations will explore the role of consumer products as diffuse sources of PFAS and wastewater systems as point sources, with removal efficiencies further discussed. Bioaccumulation of PFAS in terrestrial environments will be explored to assess the risk posed by biosolid soil amendments. Advances in analytical approaches will be highlighted through discussions of various methods for characterizing PFAS mixtures and addressing their complexity in environmental samples. The session will also facilitate the synthesis of ecotoxicity data across PFAS classes and chain lengths to support the development of environmental quality guidelines. Together, these talks provide a comprehensive perspective on emerging tools and knowledge needed for effective PFAS management and environmental protection.

SHORT COURSES

How eDNA and eRNA can assist ecotoxicology studies and environmental impact assessments
9:00 - 16:30 | Sunday October 4
MICHELANGELO C
Refreshments provided
*Lunch not provided
Instructors:
Dr. Caren C. Helbing
Dr. Mark Louie Lopez
Dr. Michael J. Allison
(University of Victoria)
Dr. Alexandre Thibodeau
(INRS)
The analysis of genetic material shed from organisms into their environment in the form of environmental DNA (eDNA) and RNA (eRNA), also collectively referred to as environmental nucleic acids (eNA), are highly promising for environmental surveys and impact assessments to provide rapid, non-destructive, accurate and cost-effective biodiversity information. This short course will help students new to eNA as well as those with experience or wanting to incorporate eNA into decision making to examine multiple considerations of the use of eNA in the field and lab. Specifically, through the newly developed curriculum of the iTrackDNA (www.iTrackDNA.ca) Training Modules, this course will interactively address the following aspects, while referring to current best practices, guidelines, and standards: 1. iTrackDNA Part 1: Sampling - Introduction to eDNA and eRNA - The iTrackDNA research initiative - Principles of eNA survey design - Sample collection and preservation 2. iTrackDNA Part 2: Sample Preparation and Analysis - Methods of eNA extraction - Methods for eNA detection (qPCR, Metabarcoding) 3. iTrackDNA Part 3: Data Interpretation - Quantification methods - Factors influencing eNA detection - Methods for reducing contamination - Controls to assess assay performance, false positive and negative risks - Survey results reporting and interpretation 4. iTrackDNA Part 4: The Future of Regulation - eDNA standards and guidelines - Incorporation of eDNA results into decision-making, regulatory compliance, and policy activities

Decoding open science practices in scientific publishing
14:00 - 16:15 | Sunday October 4
FLORENCE
Refreshments provided
Instructors:
Dr. Natalie Sopinka,
Canadian Science Publishing
This workshop and Editor Q&A will feature industry insights and breakout activities to help participants better understand the practical sides of scientific publishing, including compliance routes for meeting funder requirements, approaches to data sharing, and strategies for improving discoverability.