« All Events

  • This event has passed.

iSPEAC Seminar: Refining our interpretive understanding of causal environmental stress responses of freshwater microbiomes in sediments

March 6 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

iSPEAC Christopher Weisener

In this presentation, contrasting case studies highlighting natural (baseline) and anthropogenically impacted landscapes will be discussed. The focus will be on identifying and linking physicochemical processes to microbial community function using emerging omics for geochemical applications and ascertaining novel contaminant bioindicators.

In many cases the activity of microorganisms can directly impact the chemical conditions in both surface and subsurface water column and sediment environments, controlling the fate of nutrients and contaminants alike. Questions still arise regarding proper controlled conditions and what should be used to assign reference conditions in perturbed landscapes influenced by anthropogenic activities whether that be mining or agriculture. What indices can be used to study the long- and short-term controls on the mobility, cycling, and bioavailability of nutrients, toxic metals, and organic contaminants? In many cases the balance of chemical oxidizing and reducing components in water will control the development of chemical gradients we observe in either natural and/or engineered systems (e.g., constructed wetlands or bioreactors). In these cases, biogeochemical processes may further determine the direction and onset of specific metabolic pathways as defined by their favorable thermodynamic outcome, an issue for most bioremediation (i.e., bacteria) and depending on the best management practice used. In addition, the degree of chemical alteration (toxicity or degradation products) can be directly linked to the proportion of their biological activity. For example, dramatic differences can occur in the biogeochemistry and taxonomic profiles between healthy and stressed wetlands and in downstream transects in river watersheds.

Dr. Christopher Weisener will be hosted by Dr. Maria Dittrich for this iSPEAC Seminar.

This is a hybrid event and will occur both in-person and online. Refreshments will be served at 10:45am. the seminar will occur from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  (EST, Toronto time)

  • In person: Room 140, Environmental Science and Chemistry Building,
    University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, Scarborough, ON, Canada, M1C 1A4
    Note: Seating is limited to 35 guests.

 

About the Speaker

Dr. Christopher Weisener is a Professor at the University of Windsor Ontario. He is an established multidisciplinary researcher at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) and is recognized for his contributions in the field of environmental geomicrobiology throughout the world. His research programs link multidisciplinary themes (i.e., microbiology, biogeochemistry, and molecular ecology) within both applied and fundamental research frameworks. His research program is focused on the mobility, cycling, and bioavailability of nutrients (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorous) and toxic metals in soils/aqueous sediments under fluctuating redox conditions. The outcomes of this research contribute to the development of novel microbial bioindicators for determining watersheds health. Key objectives to his program are reconciling anthropogenic disturbance impacting natural microbial elemental cycling in freshwater systems. His research approach incorporates molecular analyses (metagenomic/metranscriptomics) in conjunction with traditional geochemical methods to model stressed and non-stressed watersheds.

About iSPEAC

iSPEAC (invited Speakers in Physics, Environmental science, And Chemistry) is the Department of Physical and Environmental Science’s invited speaker series, which covers topics and is delivered by external experts and academics in physics, environmental science, and chemistry. Speakers from near and far are invited to share their cutting-edge research with an interdisciplinary audience of students, faculty and staff. The series is co-sponsored by the Department of Physical and Environmental Science, and the Office of the Vice-Principal Research at UTSC.

Details

Date:
March 6
Time:
11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Venue

Online and in-person