Recovery of Chironomidae from metal contamination in a multi-stressor environment, by Zara Jennings, 4th year Thesis

Queen’s University student, Zara Jennings

In 2013, Zara Jennings, a Queen’s University 4^th year student and her professor, Brian Cummings, undertook sediment core sampling on Wabagishik Lake.  Results indicated that the heavy metal contamination has steadily improved over the years; however,  heavy metal contamination is still well into the “severe effect level” and severe contamination lies within centimeters of the sediment surface.   Heavy metal contamination in the “severe effect level”, include nickel, copper, arsenic, lead, manganese, iron, cadmium and zinc.  Zara has provided an outstanding 4^th year Thesis that will be a major part of the final project report for our 2-year Lower Vermilion Source Water Quality Monitoring study.