Establishing a support service for educational technology within a university

This paper covers some of the issues associated with the support of learning technology within an institution. It describes the activities of a working support service, and highlights approaches to some of the academic, technological, political and management issues that have helped it perform effectively over a four‐year period

Seasonal Moulting in Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in the Rocky Mountains, Alberta

We recorded seasonal moulting in North American Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in the Kananaskis River valley, Alberta, Canada, to test the hypothesis that moulting is restricted to the times of year that do not overlap with other high-energy demands, such as reproduction (spring and summer), or with low nutrient availability (winter). Although a seasonal trend showing a peak in moulting in the post-breeding period provided support for our prediction, a low level of continuous moulting did occur throughout the year

Agriculture causes nitrate fertilization of remote alpine lakes

Humans have altered Earth’s nitrogen cycle so dramatically that reactive nitrogen (Nr) has doubled. This has increased Nr in aquatic ecosystems, which can lead to reduced water quality and ecosystem health. Apportioning sources of Nr to specific ecosystems, however, continues to be challenging, despite this knowledge being critical for mitigation and protection of water resources. Here we use D17O, d18O and d15N from Uinta Mountain (Utah, USA) snow, inflow and lake nitrate in combination with a Bayesian-based stable isotope mixing model, to show that at least 70% of nitrates in aquatic systems are anthropogenic and arrive via the atmosphere. Moreover, agricultural activities, specifically nitrate- and ammonium-based fertilizer use, are contributing most (B60%) Nr, and data from other North American alpine lakes suggest this is a widespread phenomenon. Our findings offer a pathway towards more effective mitigation, but point to challenges in balancing food production with protection of important water resources

Limiting the impact of destructive analytical techniques through sequential microspatial sampling of the enamel from single teeth

A fundamental research concern within contemporary bioarchaeology is the sensitive balance between the preservation of human remains and the use of destructive techniques to collect information. Here we describe one example of how multiple microspatial destructive/semi-destructive techniques may be carried out in sequence using only the enamel of a single tooth. With careful planning of both sample preparation strategies and sequencing of sampling methods, it is possible to produce multiple datasets, and yet to retain material for future analyses. In this case, enamel from the teeth of 27 individuals who lived during the early medieval period (AD 1170-1198) in Bergen, Norway, were subjected to histological, trace element (LA-ICP-MS), diagenetic (FTIR), and isotopic analyses (δ18O and δ13C, via micromill/multiprep/IRMS)

Sources and Sinks of Microplastics in Canadian Lake Ontario Nearshore, Tributary and Beach Sediments

Microplastics contamination of Lake Ontario sediments is investigated with the aim of identifying distribution patterns and hotspots in nearshore, tributary and beach depositional environments. Microplastics are concentrated in nearshore sediments in the vicinity of urban and industrial regions. InHumber Bay and Toronto Harbour microplastic concentrations were consistently greater than 500 particles per kg dry sediment. Maximum concentrations of ~28,000 particles per kg dry sediment were determined in Etobicoke Creek. The microplastic particles were primarily fibres and fragments less than 2 mm in size. Both low- and high-density plastics were identified using Raman spectroscopy. We provide a baseline for future monitoring and discuss potential sources of microplastics in terms of how and where to implement preventative measures to reduce the contaminant influx. Although the impacts of microplastics contamination on ecosystem health and functioning is uncertain, understanding, monitoring and preventing further microplastics contamination in Lake Ontario and the other Great Lakes is crucial

Within-wing isotopic (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N) variation of monarch butterflies: implications for studies of migratory origins and diet

Increasingly, stable isotope measurements are being used to assign individuals to broad geographic origins based on established relationships between animal tissues and tissue-specific isoscapes. In particular, the eastern North American population of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) has been the subject of several studies using established δ2H and δ13C wing-tissue isoscapes to infer natal origins of migrating and overwintering individuals. However, there has been no study investigating potential variance that can derive from sub-sampling different regions of the wings, especially those regions differing in pigmentation (orange versus black). Within-wing isotopic (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N) variance of 40 monarch butterflies collected from natural overwinter mortality on Mexican roost sites were split evenly into two groups: unwashed samples and those washed in a 2:1 chloroform:methanol solvent. Isotopic variance in δ2H and δ13C was related to pigment (within-wing range 5‰ and 0.5‰, respectively), but not region of subsampling. This variance was reduced 3 to 4 fold through solvent washing that removed pigmented surface scales and any adhered oils. Wing δ15N was similarly influenced by pigment (range 0.3‰), but this effect was not reduced through washing. We recommend future isotopic studies of monarchs and other butterflies for migration research to use the same region for sub-sampling consistently and to wash samples with solvent to reduce isotopic variance related to uncontrolled variance in discrimination (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N) and/or adsorbed water vapor (δ2H). These data also need to be included in description of methods

Origin and evolution of formation waters, Alberta Basin, Western Canada sedimentary Basin. I. Chemistry

Inorganic chemical analyses and short-chain aliphatic acid content are used to interpret the origin and compositional evolution of formation waters in the Alberta portion of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. Forty-three formation water samples were obtained covering a stratigraphic interval from Devonian to Cretaceous. The data show that: (1) there is a subaerially evaporated brine component that shows no apparent contribution of waters derived from evaporite dissolution; and (2) formation waters have maintained characteristics indicative of subaerially evaporated waters, despite subsequent flushing by gravity-driven meteoric waters in the basin.Formation waters are predominantly Na---Cl brines that contain 4-235g/l total dissolved solids (TDS). Short-chain aliphatic acids (SCA) range up to 932 mg/l, with the following abundance: acetate >> propionate > butyrate. Their number varies randomly with subsurface temperature, depth, geological age and salinity. Instead, SCA distributions appear related to proximity to Jurassic and Mississippian source rocks and to zones of active bacterial SO4 reduction.Based on chemical composition, the formation waters can be divided into three groups. Group I waters are from dominantly carbonate reservoirs and Group II from clastics. Groups I and II are differentiated from Group III in that they are composed of a brine end member, formed by evaporation of sea water beyond the point of halite saturation, that has been subsequently diluted 50-80% by a meteoric water end member. Group III waters are from clastic reservoirs and are dilute, meteoric waters that are decoupled from the more saline, stratigraphically lower, waters of Groups I and II.Group I waters have been influenced by clay mineral transformations in shales surrounding the carbonate reservoirs, ankeritization reactions of reservoir dolomites and calcites, and possible decarboxylation reactions. Group II waters indicate significant leaching reactions, particularly of feldspar and clay minerals. Group I and Group II waters both indicate ion exchange reactions were also possible. The waters are near equilibrium with respect to quartz, calcite, dolomite and barite, but are undersaturated with respect to evaporite minerals (halite, anhydrite). Occurrence of feldspar (predominantly albite) and kaolinite seems to control the population of the water cations. Post-Laramide invasion of meteoric waters provided an impetus for many of the diagenetic reactions in both carbonate, but especially in clastic reservoirs. Subsequent hydrochemical isolation of Group I and II waters from further meteoric influences occurred, resulting in pronounced mixing relations and cross-formational fluid flow replacing the once dominant lateral flow.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/28507/1/0000304.pd

Origin and evolution of formation waters, Alberta Basin, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. II. Isotope systematics and water mixing

Isotopic measurements (Sr, O, D) on formation waters from the Alberta Basin have been made, covering a stratigraphic range from Devonian to Upper Cretaceous. These measurements, combined with chemical compositional trends, give evidence for two distinct water regimes. One hydrological regime is composed of waters hosted in Devonian-Lower Cretaceous reservoirs, the other waters from Upper Cretaceous and younger sedimentary rocks. The two regimes are separated by a regional transgressive shale in the Colorado Group, the Second White Speckled Shale Formation.The waters within the Devonian-Lower Cretaceous regime exhibit a large range in 87Sr/86Sr values (0.7076-0.7129), but have similar Sr concentrations, regardless of host lithology. Bulk rock and late-stage diagenetic cements are less radiogenic than present brines. Importantly, brines from Devonian carbonates possess the most radiogenic Sr isotopic signatures of the waters examined. Devonian shales and/or Cambrian shales may be sources of high 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the carbonate-hosted waters. Waters from the Upper Cretaceous clastic units, which have ratios as low as 0.7058, and diagenetic cements from Upper Cretaceous clastic units appear to have precipitated from fluids similar in Sr isotopic value to modern brines. High Sr concentrations in the Cretaceous clastic waters and sedimentary rocks and correspondingly low 87Sr/86Sr ratios suggest that volcanism in Montana during the Cretaceous may have provided a source of sediments to the study area.Cross-formational upward water migration, superimposed on lateral fluid flow, is required to explain the geochemistry and isotopic systematics in the brines from Devonian-Lower Cretaceous reservoirs. Strontium isotope ratios and Sr contents suggest a two component mixing relation for these waters. This system of waters also exhibits [delta]D values characteristic of meteoric values in the Neogene, reflecting post-Laramide flushing of Tertiary waters throughout the basin, with subsequent hydrochemical isolation from more modern waters. In contrast, waters in Upper Cretaceous reservoirs have O and D isotopic compositions similar to those of present day rainfall; these, in conjunction with very dilute Sr concentrations and low Sr ratios, suggest hydrological isolation from the stratigraphically lower system.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/28509/1/0000306.pd

New Biotite and Muscovite Isotopic Reference Materials, USGS57 and USGS58, for δ2H Measurements–A Replacement for NBS 30

The advent of continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS) coupled with a high temperature conversion (HTC) system enabled faster, more cost effective, and more precise δ2H analysis of hydrogen-bearing solids. Accurate hydrogen isotopic analysis by on-line or off-line techniques requires appropriate isotopic reference materials (RMs). A strategy of two-point calibrations spanning δ2H range of the unknowns using two RMs is recommended. Unfortunately, the supply of the previously widely used isotopic RM, NBS 30 biotite, is exhausted. In addition, recent measurements have shown that the determination of δ2H values of NBS 30 biotite on the VSMOW-SLAP isotope-delta scale by on-line HTC systems with CF-IRMS may be unreliable because hydrogen in this biotite may not be converted quantitatively to molecular hydrogen. The δ2HVSMOW-SLAP values of NBS 30 biotite analyzed by on-line HTC systems can be as much as 21 mUr (or ‰) too positive compared to the accepted value of −65.7 mUr, determined by only a few conventional off-line measurements. To ensure accurate and traceable on-line hydrogen isotope-ratio determinations in mineral samples, we here propose two isotopically homogeneous, hydrous mineral RMs with well-characterized isotope-ratio values, which are urgently needed. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has prepared two such RMs, USGS57 biotite and USGS58 muscovite. The δ2H values were determined by both glassy carbon-based on-line conversion and chromium-based on-line conversion, and results were confirmed by off-line conversion. The quantitative conversion of hydrogen from the two RMs using the on-line HTC method was carefully evaluated in this study. The isotopic compositions of these new RMs with 1-σ uncertainties and mass fractions of hydrogen are: USGS57 (biotite) δ2HVSMOW-SLAP = −91.5 ± 2.4 mUr (n =24) Mass fraction hydrogen = 0.416 ± 0.002% (n=4) Mass fraction water = 3.74 ± 0.02% (n=4) USGS58 (muscovite) δ2HVSMOW-SLAP = −28.4 ± 1.6 mUr (n =24) Mass fraction hydrogen = 0.448 ± 0.002% (n=4) Mass fraction water = 4.03 ± 0.02% (n =4). These δ2HVSMOW-SLAP values encompass typical ranges for solid unknowns of crustal and mantle origin and are available to users for recommended two-point calibration

The ROM / UWO Mummy Project: A Microcosm of Progress in Mummy Research

The beginnings of the Royal Ontario Museum can be traced back to the excavations and collections of Charles Trick Currelly, a staff member of the Egyptian Exploration Fund in the early 1900s. Currelly excavated with Sir Flinders Petrie at Abydos and with Edouard Naville at Deir el Bahari. With the assistance of Robert Mond and others, Currelly amassed a rich and diverse collection that became the basis for the ROM, which opened its doors in 1914. Part of that collection included several Egyptian mummies (Currelly 1971) . The Egyptologicalholdings at the ROM include eight mummies: one dating to the Predynastic Period, five from the Pharaonic Period, one from the Roman Period and one without context. Two of these, Nakht and Djedmaatesankh, have been well studied by Peter Lewin and associates, while three more are the subjects of the current investigation. The objectives of this poster are to review the work and accomplishments of the previous research, to describe the preliminary results of the current research project and to outline directions for future work