Official title: Évaluation du risque écotoxicologique des écosystèmes hydriques boréaux consécutive à des feux de forêt extrêmes au Québec
Objectives: The general objective of this project is to evaluate the ecotoxicological risks posed by extreme wildfires to boreal aquatic ecosystems in Québec. The research will investigate how ash, nutrients, metals, and other fire-related contaminants are mobilized and transported into surface-water systems. Field sampling and laboratory analyses will be undertaken to characterize post-fire changes in water and sediment quality. The project will evaluate potential exposure pathways and ecological risks for aquatic organisms and identify the environmental factors controlling contaminant mobilization. It will also determine which indicators are most suitable for monitoring aquatic ecosystems affected by severe wildfires. The results will support the development of effective post-fire water-quality monitoring, risk-assessment, and ecosystem-management strategies.
- Project PI(s): Rahim Barzegar (PI, UQAT), Eric Rosa (Co-PI, UQAT), Vincent Cloutier (Co-PI, UQAT)
- Funding: Centre de recherche en écotoxicologie du Québec (EcotoQ), Support for Research Initiatives
- Period: 2026/09 to 2027/08