2008 Research Projects
Ecology of Juvenile Lake Sturgeon in the Winnipeg River
Senior Research Consultant: Dr. Steve Peake, University of New Brunswick
Project Supervisor: Laura Henderson, Graduate Student, University of New Brunswick
Tutor: Christine Lacho, University of Winnipeg
Students:
Jordan Guiboche - Helen Betty Osborne Ininew Education Resource Center, Norway House, Manitoba (Nelson River Sturgeon Board Scholarship)
Jessica Smith - Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Fisheries Enhancement Fund Scholarship)
Project Description:
This project examined the ecology of juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Winnipeg River.
Students were involved in netting lake sturgeon at various locations between Slave Falls and Seven Sisters Falls.
The students observed recaptured lake sturgeon; that is, those that have been previously tagged. The lengths and
masses of the fish were recorded and compared to past data to determine the amount of growth that had occurred.
Stomach contents were also examined. The location of the recaptured lake sturgeon provided information on how far
the fish have traveled since they were last observed. Students also calculated length frequencies on non-tagged
sturgeon that were captured.
Through the course of this project, students gained experience in fish handling and measurement and boat safety.
Pictures:
Team loads boat for morning launch |
Project Team (L to R): Laura Henderson, Jordan Guiboche, Christine Lacho and Jessica Smith |
Jordan measures... |
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Habitat Characteristics of Juvenile Lake Sturgeon in the Winnipeg River Near the Seven Sisters Generating Station
Senior Research Consultant: Dr. Steve Peake, University of New Brunswick
Project Supervisor: Claire Hrenchuk, University of Winnipeg
Tutor: Dan Drimes, University of Winnipeg
Students:
Stephanie Landherr - RD Parker Collegiate, Thompson, Manitoba (Fisheries Enhancement Scholarship)
Iresha Ratnayake - Calvin christian Collegiate, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Fisheries Enhancement Scholarship)
Project Description:
This student project involved the ecology and habitat of juvenile Lake Sturgeon downstream of the Seven Sisters
(Manitoba) generating station, or dam, and making comparisons to the activities of the sturgeon upstream near Lac du
Bonnet, Manitoba. The methods that were used for capture of juveniles included a number of netting techniques,
such as gill netting. These fish were tagged (numbered), measured, weighed, and stomach contents were collected
and analyzed. Data collection took place during the month of July at 24 hour intervals.
As well as the netting, some data was collected on the Lake Sturgeon habitat characteristics. The techniques
for habitat included the use of drift traps, recording water temperature, and ponar sampling which involved the use
of a collection device for sediment and substrate contents.
This project allowed students to gain experience in boat safety, fish handling techniques, and equipment
handling techniques (such as setting and pulling nets).
The students were responsible for the analysis of the data including a written technical report, a research
paper, and keeping a data log of their day-to-day activities while on the on the river. The students had a tutor at
their disposal to guide them and help them if they encountered issues.
Pictures:
Juvenile Lake Sturgeon |
Project team (L to R): Dan Drimes, Iresha Ratnayake, Claire Hrenchuk and Stephanie Landherr |
Effect of Fish Density on Juvenile Lake Sturgeon
Senior Research Consultant: Dr. Steve Peake, University of New Brunswick
Project Supervisor: Cam Barth, University of Manitoba
Tutor: Meagan Alexander, University of Winnipeg
Students:
Tyler Dram - Mel Johnson School, Waboden, Manitoba (Nelson River Sturgeon Board Scholarship)
Kate Gong - Fort Richmond Collegiate, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Fisheries Enhancement Scholarship)
Project Description:
Students at MSA participated in gill netting juvenile lake sturgeon. This project focused on determining the
preferred habitat ( depth, substrate, food sources, water velocity) of juvenile lake sturgeon in the Winnipeg River
in an area between Slave Falls and Seven Sisters Dam. Gill nets with varying sizes (1”, 3”, 5”) were set in 3
different habitat types in the river and left for 24 hour periods. When the nets were pulled, sturgeon were
weighed, measured, tagged, and tested for stomach contents before being released. Substrate samples were also
collected from each location. Data collected about the density of sturgeon in each area will hopefully give an
indication of the juvenile sturgeon’s preferred habitat in this section of the Winnipeg River.
This project allowed students to gain experience in equipment handling techniques (such as setting and
pulling nets and collecting samples of stomach contents), fish handling techniques and boat safety.
Pictures:
Kate's Catch |
Tyler's Catch |
Measuring a Juvenile Lake Sturgeon |
Project Team (L to R): Tyler Dram, Kate Gong, and Meagan Alexander |
Determination of Carbon Electrode Properties
Project Supervisors: Dr. Brian Ikeda & Aliaksei Shkarupin, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Tutor: Christina Johnson, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Students:
Dylon Martin - RD Parker Collegiate, Thompson, Manitoba
Marybeth Rempel - Linden Christian Collegiate, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Project Description:
Uranium, used as nuclear fuel, must undergo many stages of processing before it is useable in nuclear reactors.
One step requires fluorine gas. An electrochemical cell that involves a carbon electrode is used to generate the
fluorine. However, for unknown reasons, some carbon electrodes do not work. A possible explanation is that there
are structural differences between carbon atoms within the electrodes. Setting up the cell, discovering the
electrode is defective, and then removing it is a very costly and time consuming process; thus, it would be more
efficient to have a way of testing the electrodes prior to utilizing them in cells.
Before a test can be developed, one must better understand how structurally different carbon electrodes
interact with different substances. A number of electrochemical cells consisting of various electrodes and
electrolyte solutions were studied in order to identify carbon electrode properties.
Pictures:
Project Team (L to R): Dr. Brian Ikeda, Christina Johnson, Marybeth Rempel and Dylon Martin |
Marybeth and Dylon explain their project at the MSA Open House Event on July 18th |
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Use of Liquid Nitrogen Aeration for Wheat Disinfestation
Project Supervisor: Dr. Jitendra Paliwal, University of Manitoba-Biosystems Engineering
Tutor: Jameel de Beer, University of Manitoba
Students:
Seegwan Wood - St. Theresa Point School, St. Theresa Point, Manitoba
Aimee Bell - Fort Richmond Collegiate, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Sonam Bhagria - RD Parker Collegiate, Thompson, Manitoba (Vale Inco Scholarship)
Project Description:
Wheat infestation is a major problem. Approximately 10% of the total amount of grain produced is Canada is
ruined by insects and rodents. Canada has zero tolerance for live insect pests, and a worldwide reputation of
providing very high quality grain every year. Some of the most effective chemical methods of insect control are
being phased out because they are harmful to the consumer’s health or the environment. Nitrogen is inert and
non-toxic.
In this project grain was placed inside a silo and cooled using circulated liquid nitrogen. Temperature
measuring devices called thermocouples were used to monitor how the cooling front moves through the grain. Rusty
grain beetles were also placed in the apparatus in close proximity to the thermocouples. Acclimatized or cold hardy
rusty grain beetles survived in very cold conditions. Acclimatization is achieved by exposing the beetles to low
temperatures prior to the experiment. The key challenges in this project were: insect rearing, studying how the cold
front moves, determining how cold the temperature should be and how long that cold temperature must be maintained
to eliminate all of the pests.
Pictures:
(Photo date should read 2008)
Project Team (L to R): Seegwan Wood, Jameel de Beer, Aimee Bell and Sonam Bhagria |
Sonam weighs grain at the University of Manitoba Laboratory. |
Rusty grain beetles |
The team at work at the MSA computer lab |
Emissions from the Burning of Defective Fusarium Kernels
Project Supervisor: Dr. David Prystupa, Spectrum Scientific Inc.
Tutor: Matt Rhodes, University of Otago, New Zealand
Students:
Jade Daigle - RD Parker Collegiate, Thompson, Manitoba
Lindsay McDougall - St. Theresa Point School, St. Theresa Point, Manitoba (St. Theresa Point Education Authority Scholarship)
Project Description:
Fusarium is a fungus genus that infects cereal crops such as corn, wheat and barley. In the Canadian prairies,
Fusarium infections cause millions of dollars worth of damage a year due to lower crop yields and stricter regulations.
Some Fusarium species, such as Fusarium graminearum, produce a toxin called Deoxynivalenol (DON for short), sometimes
known as vomitoxin. This toxin is harmful to humans in high concentrations, and especially harmful to pigs and
other livestock. Grain with significant concentrations of DON can cause livestock to stop feeding, and in some
cases can lead to death. As a result, farmers and the government spend large sums of money on tightly controlled
systems of grading grain produced, based on varying levels of DON. In terms of crop management, Fusarium is
particularly difficult to eradicate, as the fungus produces many spores which can lie dormant in fields only to
infect further crops in later years. In particular, wheat crops are of special interest in Manitoba due to the
high production and quality of wheat in this province.
As a system for separation of Fusarium infected wheat kernels is being researched, this project looked into
possible uses for these infected kernels after they have been separated from the good wheat. Instead of wasting
Fusarium infected kernels, the team investigated whether using them as a solid fuel source, mainly for heating, is
both safe and effective. Because of the DON toxin found in infected kernels, the team tested to ensure that heating
and combustion was enough to destroy the toxin. Because of the potential for spore release leading to reinfection,
testing was conducted to make sure all Fusarium spores were destroyed during the heating process.
Pictures:
(Photo date should read 2008)
Wheat infected with the Fusarium fungus |
Project Team (L to R): Jade Daigle, Lindsay McDougall and Matt Rhodes |
Lindsay and Jade place samples in the grain incubator |
Lindsay weighs grain |
Improving Wheat Quality by Removing Kernels Infected with Fusarium Fungus
Project Supervisor: Dr. David Prystupa, Spectrum Scientific Inc.
Tutor: Jason Taylor, University of Manitoba
Students:
Andrew Hartman - Elrose, Saskatchewan
Russell Mason - St. Theresa Point School, St. Theresa Point, Manitoba
Project Description:
The purpose of this project was to develop a machine to sort kernels of wheat based on the presence of fusarium
fungus. As wheat moves through the machine it scans each kernel individually and separates infected kernels from
the healthy wheat.
The project involved some design of the electrical and optical systems of the wheat sorting machine, as well
as testing of the machine under field conditions with emphasis on mechanical durability and the performance of the
optics in a dusty environment. To analyze the machine’s performance fusarium infected kernels were treated with a
UV-dye then mixed with healthy kernels and fed through the machine after which the healthy pile was subjected to UV
light to find any improperly sorted fusarium infected kernels.
As fusarium fungus produces chemicals that may be harmful to humans in large amounts, the sorting machine
would increase the quality and safety of food products made from the wheat.
Pictures:
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Fusarium infected wheat below Bottom Left: Project Team (L to R): Andrew Hartman, Russell Mason and Jason Taylor Bottom Right: Russell and Andrew explain how the machine should successfully sort the grain |
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Reduction of Food Pathogens in Poultry
Project Supervisor: Dr. David Prystupa, Spectrum Scientific Inc.
Tutor: Vanessa Thiessen, University of Manitoba Graduate
Students:
Caitlin Zacharias - Asquith, Saskatchewan
Benchmen Trieu - Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Kirsten Dangerfield - Kelvin High School, Winnipeg Manitoba
Project Description:
The purpose of this project was to reduce food pathogens in poultry in the transportation and chilling
stages of processing.
A standardized method of taking pictures of the inside of transport crates was used to create a data set of about 1400 images. These pictures were analyzed by imaging software to find which region of the crates had the most fecal material left after washing. Each of the crates analyzed was also rinsed and plated to create a bacteria count for each crate. This showed the amount of potential pathogens left on the crate for cross-contamination when reaching the next farm.
A second method for reducing pathogens was investigated in the chilling and rinsing stage. Aeration and UV radiation was used to treat the water used to chill and rinse the chickens. An air bubbler was used to distribute air throughout the water to produce foam that was removed; a UV lamp then treated the water. The water was plated to find the amount of bacteria left after treatment.
Reduction of food pathogens is a constant issue in food processing. Standards for safe food consumption are increasingly stringent so further development in this area is important to the food industry and the consumer.
Pictures:
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| Project Team (L to R): Caitlin Zacharias, Benchmen Trieu, Vanessa Thiessen and Kirsten Dangerfield |
Apparatus for preparation of the water solution to determine concentration of bacteria |
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| Caitlin prepares the instruments for data collection | Benchmen sets up the testing process |