Northeastern Ontario Research Articles

Constraining seasonal and spatial ambient and urban groundwater contributions to streamflow across a mixed land-use regional-scale Precambrian Shield watershed

Groundwater-surface water (GW-SW) interactions are complex phenomena that vary naturally over space and time and are being influenced by environmental change. The Whitson River watershed is a mixed land-use Precambrian shield watershed located in Northeastern Ontario, Canada in which groundwater is a source of municipal water supply and in which groundwater and surface waters are at risk of potential impacts from urban runoff, ongoing municipal drainage projects, periodic flooding, and climate change. This study used watershed-scale synoptic surveys of stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) and geochemistry, and corresponding mixing-model approaches (two-component and three-component) to quantify the seasonal and spatial variation in surface water, ambient, and urban groundwater contributions to streamflow. Multiple mixing models were generated based on isotope and geochemical source water identification, and the performance of these models was compared. Mixing-model analyses showed that groundwater contributes a critical, sustaining source to streamflow (> 50 % or more) during summer baseflow conditions, dropping to ∼ 15 % in fall when connection to shield lakes and wetlands dominate. Three-component mixing models showed similar results to the two-component models, refining groundwater contributions into ambient and urban groundwater sources. Estimated urban groundwater contributed 30 % or more to summer baseflow, dropping to ∼ 4 % in the fall. Baseflow estimates derived from graphical hydrograph separation were similar to mixing model groundwater estimates in the summer but suggest this approach overestimates groundwater contributions during the fall. These results demonstrate the complexity of source water contributions to streamflow and the challenges in their determination in mixed-land-use Precambrian Shield landscapes where communities are largely located. Assessment of source water contributions to streamflow across the Whitson River sub-watershed has generated a region-specific conceptualization (e.g. urban versus ambient groundwater) of a basin that is experiencing increased urban development, providing information that will be of value for long term management.

Evaluating the significance of wetland representation in isotope-enabled distributed hydrologic modeling in mesoscale Precambrian shield watersheds

Evaluation of regional-scale models against both streamflow and stable isotopes of water is a relatively new and evolving area of distributed hydrological modeling. While applications of isoWATFLOOD, an isotope-enabled distributed hydrological model are increasing, evaluation of the impacts of model structural features, such as wetland connectivity, on simulation of runoff components is still limited. Wetlands are important water bodies that impact streamflow generation and its spatial variation in Precambrian shield watersheds in parts of Canada and elsewhere. This study investigates the efficiency of isoWATFLOOD in simulating streamflow and instream δ18O and the effects of model percent connected wetlands (%CW) in a mesoscale (∼12,000 km2) Precambrian Shield watershed in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. Model calibration and validation are performed using daily streamflow for five hydrometric gauging stations and biweekly to monthly instream δ18O from 11 river sampling locations from across the watershed. Five model versions with different %CW are generated, calibrated, and validated separately. Results show all models can simulate the timing and pattern of streamflow and δ18O. %CW impacts simulated streamflow during both calibration and validation periods, calibrated parameter sets and simulated internal hydrological processes. Model performance varies spatially with no single value of %CW providing best performance across sub-catchments with 40 % CW providing best mean streamflow simulations in calibration. Increasing %CW (10 % to 40 %) results in higher contribution of lower soil zone water to streamflow that markedly improves baseflow simulation. This study builds on recent isotope-enabled hydrologic simulation capacity of isoWATFLOOD, contributing new examination of model representation of wetland connectivity, a critical component of Precambrian Shield watersheds and evidence of how stable isotopes can contribute to addressing the challenge of equifinality. Results suggest the need to develop model capability for representation of spatial variation in wetland connectivity to recognize this important aspect of heterogeneity in watersheds influencing hydrologic function.

Twenty-year responses of aspen stands to forest tent caterpillar defoliation and overstory dieback in Northeastern Ontario, Canada

Forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria Hbn.) is a major forest defoliator in North American boreal forests. This pest periodically affects hardwood trees such as trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) across large areas, causing mortality and altering stand attributes and long-term dynamics. In this study, I quantified the responses of aspen stands to forest tent caterpillar defoliation and overstory dieback, including short-term (5 years after dieback) and long-term (20 years later) dynamics. Results indicate that affected stands fully recovered to pre-dieback density but not basal area. Defoliation caused overstory dieback that stimulated understory growth and regeneration but the hardwood regeneration (mostly aspen) did not adequately replace hardwood trees lost to defoliation, resulting in decreased hardwood composition relative to unaffected stands. The high density in affected stands suggested possible further basal area recovery as regeneration and released understory conifers grew into main canopy, following the general trends of boreal mixedwood succession. The results support earlier projections based on residual stand attributes shortly after dieback and reported boreal species growth and mortality rates that indicate forest tent caterpillar defoliation and subsequent overstory dieback would accelerate aspen stand transition to conifer dominance and delay the availability of stands for harvesting by 40–50 years as stands recover.

Does proximity to a fertility centre increase the chance of achieving pregnancy in Northeastern Ontario?

Northern Ontario has a population of approximately 800,000 people distributed over 806,707 km2. Before 2018, the only fertility treatment centre in Northern Ontario was located in Thunder Bay; many patients travelled south for care. In 2018, the Northeastern Ontario Women's Health Network (NEOWHN) opened in Sudbury, providing fertility treatments to people living in Northeastern Ontario. The goal of this study was to determine if proximity to this new fertility centre increases one's chance of achieving pregnancy when undergoing fertility treatment. Secondary outcomes included the quantity and types of fertility investigations and treatments completed by patients. A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients seeking fertility treatment at NEOWHN between January 2019 and December 2020. Traveling >100 km to access healthcare was considered to be a clinically significant determinant of health. Seven hundred and 5 patients were seen in consultation for fertility services at NEOWHN during the study period. One hundred eighty-one of 478 (37.9%) patients living <100 km from NEOWHN achieved pregnancy compared to 39 of 227 (17.2%) patients living >100 km from NEOWHN (P < 0.01). Living in proximity (<100 km) to NEOWHN increased the likelihood that individuals in Northeastern Ontario would seek fertility services and would achieve pregnancy. Financial constraints and inaccessibility likely play a role in this, but further studies are needed to explain this difference. Le Nord de l'Ontario compte une population d'environ 800,000 personnes réparties sur 806,707 km2. Avant 2018, le seul centre de traitement de la fertilité du Nord de l'Ontario était situé à Thunder Bay; de nombreux patients SE rendaient dans le sud pour recevoir des soins. En 2018, le Northeastern Ontario Women's Health Network (NEOWHN-le Réseau de santé des femmes du Nord-Est de l'Ontario) a ouvert ses portes à Sudbury, offrant des traitements de fertilité aux personnes vivant dans le Nord-Est de l'Ontario. L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer si la proximité de ce nouveau centre de fertilité augmente les chances d'obtenir une grossesse lors d'un traitement de fertilité. Les résultats secondaires comprenaient la quantité et les types d'examens et de traitements de fertilité effectués par les patients. Une étude rétrospective des dossiers a été réalisée pour tous les patients cherchant un traitement de fertilité au NEOWHN entre janvier 2019 et décembre 2020. Le fait de voyager >100 km pour accéder aux soins de santé a été considéré comme un déterminant de la santé cliniquement significatif. Seven hundred and 5 patients ont été vus en consultation pour des services de fertilité au NEOWHN pendant la période d'étude. One hundred eighty-one des 478 (37.9%) patientes vivant à moins de 100 km du NEOWHN ont obtenu une grossesse, contre 39 des 227 (17.2%) patientes vivant à plus de 100 km du NEOWHN (P < 0.01). Le fait de vivre à proximité (<100 km) du NEOWHN augmente la probabilité que les habitants du Nord-Est de l'Ontario aient recours à des services de fertilité et obtiennent une grossesse. Les contraintes financières et l'inaccessibilité jouent probablement un rôle à cet égard, mais d'autres études sont nécessaires pour expliquer cette différence.

Administrative Burden of the Compensation Claim System - Physicians and Union Compensation Representatives’ Views

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, causing 3.23 million deaths in 2019. Cigarettes are the leading cause of this disease. However, workplace exposures, including those in the mining industry, may also lead to COPD. These exposures include dust and fumes that can be higher for mineral industry workers who work in confined areas. As a result, workers in the minerals industry may submit compensation claims. Sadly, work-related COPD is not well compensated or recognized by the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Physicians and union representatives struggle to complete forms and have claims approved, and because of this, workers can struggle with money, family, and mental health problems. This qualitative narrative study used in-depth telephone interviews (eight) to collect information. The information collected from physicians (four) and union representatives (four) was analyzed to understand their perspectives and experiences when assisting workers with compensation claims. This is the first study to examine how COPD could affect underground mineral workers in Northeastern Ontario. Themes identified in this study include 1) additional administrative and human support resources are required, 2) smoking cessation is essential, 3) COPD is a crippling disease, 4) education is required to support documenting an occupational illness, 5) the compensation claim process is challenging; 6) occupational diseases are challenging to prove, 7) occupational COPD is costly. This study may help with compensation services and provide support for physicians and union representatives involved with an underground mineral worker diagnosed with occupational COPD.

Rural caregivers’ preparedness for detecting and responding to the signs of worsening health conditions in recently hospitalised patients at risk for readmission: a qualitative descriptive study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore informal rural caregivers’ perceived preparedness to detect and respond to the signs of worsening health conditions in patients recently discharged from hospital and at risk...

Seeking Education on Their Terms: The Atikameksheng Anishnawbek [White Fish Lake First Nations] 1880–1930

Abstract This paper offers a historical context and analysis on an under-studied First Nations located within the Huron–Robinson Treaty area of Northeastern Ontario—Atikameksheng Anishnawbek [White Fish Lake First Nations], whose relatively small population dealt with a great many challenges as settler society arrival created pressures on livelihoods, spirituality, physical well-being, lifestyles, and much more. Detailed micro-study of the Whitefish Lake Roman Catholic Day School operations from 1880 to the 1930s reveals a continuing tale of the Band’s efforts at obtaining Indigenous-led education for its children, as well as the often indifferent, sometimes hostile, and at best incompetent role played by Indian Affairs. Often a tale of struggle rather than success, it nevertheless sheds light on First Nations’ determination to provide their children with effective education emerging from Indigenous traditions. (PVK)

Child and parent perspectives on active school transportation: Barriers and facilitators in a northern environment

IntroductionThere is a positive correlation between active school transportation and increased physical activity in children. Unfortunately, over half of Canadian children rely solely on inactive modes of transportation to and from school. The purpose of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators to active school transportation among children and parents in a small city in northeastern Ontario, Canada. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with parents (n = 15) and two focus groups were held with elementary, school-aged children (n = 14). Interviews with parents were guided by the modified Physically Active School Settings survey to investigate barriers and facilitators to active transportation to school. Children were asked open-ended questions about their barriers and facilitators to active school transportation. Transcribed audio recordings underwent content analysis. ResultsFindings revealed key factors that influence children and their parents’ decisions related to active transportation to school. Parents discussed vehicle traffic, wild animals (i.e., bears), infrastructure, and limited safety knowledge as barriers. Children discussed similar barriers and potential solutions such as maps of safe routes, traveling in groups, and improving infrastructure. ConclusionsResults highlight context is important for understanding barriers and facilitators to engaging in active transportation to school. To overcome barriers and support facilitators, local active transportation stakeholders need to work together to implement long-term school-based initiatives.

Doing Archaeology without Strings

AbstractIn the province of Ontario, Canada, it is estimated that 80% of archaeological sites are Indigenous, yet there are very few Indigenous archaeologists involved in management and decision-making about Indigenous heritage. Systemic barriers, particularly around licensing and regulations for curatorial facilities, continue to prevent Indigenous people from directly managing and protecting their own cultural heritage. Recognizing that Indigenous communities in northeastern Ontario have had little exposure or opportunity to learn about archaeology, for several years we have been involved in educational programs to train Indigenous youth, staff in First Nations government offices, and others. We illustrate with two examples: the monitor training program undertaken in northeastern Ontario and a project to catalog artifacts from the legacy collection from the La Cloche site.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Northeastern Ontario: A Descriptive examination of Who is Assessed, Who Receives a Diagnosis and Who does Not

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Northeastern Ontario: A Descriptive examination of Who is Assessed, Who Receives a Diagnosis and Who does Not

Investigating the Impact of Food Rewards on Children’s Motivation to Participate in Sport

Children who are physically active and involved in organized sport report having the unhealthiest diets. Research suggests excessive calories may be attributed to the prevalence of fast food and candy which are often provided as rewards in sport. This study explored the use of food as a reward in youth sport and the perceived impact it has on children's motivation to participate in recreational soccer and ice hockey. A multiple instrumental case study approach was utilized. Children aged 4-12 (n = 64), parents (n = 30), and coaches (n = 18) were recruited within central and northeastern Ontario, Canada to participate in focus groups and individual interviews. Transcribed audio recordings underwent inductive thematic analysis. Key themes included: Fun and fast: The culture of food in youth soccer and hockey; (Un)importance of food rewards: The how and why of motivating children in sport; and Youth sport is expensive: Gratitude for sponsorship in youth sport. Themes explain the role of food and food rewards as an element of the youth sport culture as well as the importance of sponsors, regardless of food affiliation, in youth sport. Overall, children's participation and effort would continue without food rewards; however, they continue to be offered food to motivate and celebrate performance in youth sport. Findings highlight the need to increase knowledge and awareness among parents and coaches on what truly motivates children to help foster healthier strategies for celebrating success and supporting lifelong physical activity.

Association of daily and time-segmented physical activity and sedentary behaviour with mental health of school children and adolescents from rural Northeastern Ontario, Canada.

Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SED) have been linked to the mental health of children and adolescents, yet the timing of behaviours may play a role in this relationship and clarifying this could inform interventions. We explored cross-sectional associations of PA and SED in varying time segments throughout the school day with the mental health of school-aged children and adolescents from rural Northeastern Ontario, Canada. A total of 161 students (56% female, M = 10.3 years old) wore accelerometers for 8 days (7 nights) and completed a self-report survey (parent reported for children younger than 11). Mental health was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Accelerometer-measured SED, light PA (LPA), and moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA) were estimated in the time-segments before school (06:00-08:44), school time (08:45-15:04), after school (15:05-16:59), and evenings (17:00-21:59). Associations were tested with multilevel linear regressions while adjusting for confounding factors. Students spent 72.6 min in MVPA, 209.0 min in LPA, and 621.0 min in SED per day. Daily SED was associated with less conduct problems (β = -0.27, p < 0.05). Evening LPA was inversely associated with hyperactivity (β = -1.45, p < 0.05), while SED was associated with hyperactivity and with peer problems before school (β = 1.70 and β = 1.01, respectively, p < 0.05), and during school (β = -0.83 and β = -0.57, respectively, p < 0.05). No associations were observed for MVPA, emotional symptoms, or prosocial behaviour. In conclusion, displacing SED with LPA in some specific periods of the day may benefit the mental health of students; taking this into account could strengthen interventions.

Workers' compensation experience in some Indigenous Northern Ontario communities.

There is a dearth of research about occupational health and safety experience in Indigenous communities and compensation applications from Indigenous workers appear limited. This qualitative descriptive study was designed to explore workers' compensation experiences in some Canadian Indigenous communities. A community-based participatory research approach was used to conduct focus groups (n = 25 participants) in three Northeastern Ontario (NEO) Indigenous communities and at one NEO Indigenous employment centre. Semi-structured focus group questions addressed community experience with workers' compensation, the compensation process, and discussion of a training session about the process. Reflexive thematic analysis followed Braun and Clarke procedures. Discussion with study participants resulted in these themes: 1) both lack of knowledge, and knowledge, about compensation demonstrated, 2) impact of lack of compensation coverage and need for universal coverage on reserve, 3) need for community training sessions about workers' compensation, 4) workload and financial impact of workers' compensation on reserve, and 5) requirement for cultural competence training in the compensation board. This qualitative descriptive study revealed the: need for more information about applying for workers' compensation and navigating the process, need for universal workplace insurance coverage in Indigenous communities, demand for community-based compensation process training, community costs of compensation, and the requirement for cultural safety and competence training for compensation organization employees. More education about the workers' compensation process would be of benefit to leadership, health care providers, administrative personnel, employers, and employees on reserves. Nurses in community health centres are well situated to provide further guidance.

Zaagtoonaa Nibi (We Love the Water):

This paper presents Indigenous community-led, collaborative, and community-engaged water governance research with a First Nations community in the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron region in northeastern Ontario, Canada. The methodology draws on Indigenous approaches to understanding and developing knowledge and is designed to build community capacity in research and in water protection and governance. This approach recognizes existing community strengths, including traditional knowledge, experiences, perspectives, and associated cultural perspectives and values, laws, responsibilities and lived experience in relation to water. Results identify and contextualize community-held responsibilities and legal principles pertaining to water that support culturally relevant water governance and strategic planning. By synthesizing and extending previous water protection initiatives, this research meaningfully supports the community’s position and leadership on water security and governance. This, in turn, strengthens Indigenous water governance and sustainable water governance broadly as Indigenous understandings and approaches to water are holistic and concern relationships with and responsibilities to all of Creation.

Trembling Aspen Stand Response 15 Years after Windthrow, Salvage Harvesting, and Forest Renewal

Windthrow is a common occurrence in boreal forests, affecting wood supply and presenting regeneration challenges for forest managers. Salvage harvesting is often conducted afterwards to extract valuable wood and improve access for forest renewal activities. Research efforts, however, are generally limited to the effects of windthrow and salvage harvesting in the first few years following disturbance. In 2006, a catastrophic wind event occurred in a trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) forest in northeastern Ontario. A field study was established with a range of silvicultural treatments from leaving after windthrow (W) to forest renewal treatments including windrow site preparation, planting, and herbicide release (WSPR). While the results of first 5-year assessment have been reported, the objective of the current study was to reassess treatment effects at 15 years post-disturbance, a stage of stand development that is more indicative of future forest conditions. Compared to the results of the earlier assessment, the 15-year assessment indicated that standing dead wood (snags) declined, whereas coarse downed wood did not change substantially over time. Post-disturbance salvage harvesting improved aspen regeneration in terms of density, stocking, and growth, but substantially reduced the proportion of conifers relative to windthrow only. Thus, salvage harvesting helped to sustain aspen composition, compared to other treatment options that increased proportions of pine and spruce trees from W to windthrow and salvage harvesting combined with windrow site preparation and planting (WSP), and from WSP to WSPR.

Incorporating spatial uncertainty maps into soil sampling improves digital soil mapping classification accuracy in Ontario, Canada

Digital soil mapping combines soil plot data with environmental datasets to model variation in soil properties across a landscape. The quality of a digital soil map depends on both the quantity and distribution of soil plots within the study extent. Field campaigns to acquire soil data are time intensive and costly to undertake, requiring training and deployment of field crews and soil processing/analytical costs. Therefore, it is important to optimize site selection and sampling intensity to maximize digital soil map accuracy and minimize field costs. In many cases, soil sampling occurs across several years to gather sufficient soil data. Between successive field campaigns, preliminary digital soil maps and their corresponding uncertainty estimates can be generated. We hypothesize that preliminary uncertainty maps can be useful to guide sampling in subsequent field seasons by targeting areas of high uncertainty to significantly improve model accuracy. This hypothesis was tested by simulating a multi-year soil sampling campaign using an extensive soil moisture regime and soil texture dataset from the Hearst Forest in northeastern Ontario, Canada. We quantified how soil maps and soil models changed as new data points were added and how model/map improvement was influenced by performing additional sampling in areas of high uncertainty. We used multiple uncertainty metrics (Ignorance Uncertainty, Exaggeration Uncertainty and Confusion Index) and tested multiple levels of sampling intensity. The results showed modest but statistically significant improvements in model accuracy when subsequent sampling was targeted in high uncertainty areas (treatments) compared to sampling in random areas (controls) (38.7% control accuracy compared to 39.8%/40.4%/40.3% for moisture regime and 23.1% control accuracy compared to 24.3%/25%/24.9% for textural class). There were no significant differences in model performance between the three uncertainty metrics. The most common textural and moisture regime classes in the soil dataset rarely occurred in areas of high uncertainty suggesting that the environmental covariates used in the study tracked real soil variation. As subsequent sampling intensity increased, model performance increased as well (both in the control and treatment groups). There was also a significant treatment × sampling intensity interaction meaning that uncertainty guided sampling was increasingly beneficial as sampling effort increased. This paper demonstrates a proof of concept that generating preliminary uncertainty maps in digital soil mapping can be a useful tool for informing future field soil sample collections to improve model performance.

Macro- to nanoscale mineral relationships in surficial cobalt-arsenic-bearing mine tailings of the Cobalt Mining Camp, Northeastern Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT Arsenates, which correspond to the majority of known arsenic (As)-bearing minerals, control the mobilization of As in contaminated soils, sediments, and fluvial environments as well as in tailings and mine waste piles. Additionally, arsenate-bearing Fe-(hydr)oxides are of particular significance for the control of As mobility, as they are among the most thermodynamically stable minerals under near-neutral to alkaline pH conditions. However, in the surficial (upper 30 cm) alkaline mine tailings at the Cobalt Mining Camp in Northeastern Ontario, Canada, these phases only occur in trace amounts. This study attempts to understand this unusual mineralogical feature through an investigation of the relationships between nano- and macroscale mineralogical and geochemical features at two tailings sites (A and B) at the Cobalt Mining Camp. Sixty samples from two depth profiles (0–30 cm; i.e., one sample per centimeter) were collected at the two sites, analyzed for their major and minor chemical elements, and characterized for their mineralogical composition at the nano- to centimeter scale. The tailings material at both sites is predominantly composed of minerals of the amphibole, chlorite, and feldspar groups, as well as carbonates (calcite and dolomite). Minor phases are Co-Fe-Ni-Zn-sulfarsenides and -arsenates. The tailings material at site B contains, on average, higher concentrations of As, Co, Sb, and Zn and lower concentrations of Fe than the material at site A. Secondary (scanning electron microscope) and transmission electron microscopy studies indicate that the alteration of primary sulfarsenides to secondary arsenates may proceed in the following sequence: (1) the formation of Fe-hydroxide and -arsenate mineral surface coatings on sulfarsenides; (2) the downward mobilization of Co-Ni-Zn-arsenate and (FeOHCO3)aq species; (3) replacement of earlier-formed scorodite by Co-Ni-Zn-arsenates; (4) the precipitation of Co-Ni-Zn-arsenates on the surfaces of silicates; and (5) neoformation of Fe-rich hydroxy-interlayered minerals at greater depth, partly replacing earlier-formed Co-Ni-Zn-arsenates. These processes result in layers enriched in As, Co, Sb, and Zn (increase in Co#) and enriched and depleted in Fe (increase and decrease in Fe#) in tailings material at both sites. The TEM studies further indicate that Co-Ni-Zn-arsenates precipitate initially as nanoparticles on the surface of scorodite and detrital silicates and subsequently coarsen through Oswald ripening. The mineralogical-geochemical features depicted in this study provide a better understanding of the geochemical behavior of Co, Fe, and As in alkaline tailings and may assist in the interpretation of mineral-microbial community associations and the development of effective bioleaching strategies for the strategic element cobalt.

Investigating hydrologic controls on 26 Precambrian shield catchments using landscape, isotope tracer and flow metrics

AbstractAlthough many studies focus on catchment classification, hydrologists are challenged to find the most important variables for a meaningful catchment classification, especially in the heterogeneous environment of the Precambrian Shield. This study investigates landscape controls on hydrologic response by conducting a catchment classification of 26 catchments located within two Precambrian Shield watersheds (Sturgeon–French–Nipissing [SNF] and Muskoka) in central and Northeastern Ontario, Canada, using combinations of landscape characteristics (e.g. topography, geology, landcover), hydrometric variables, and stable isotopes of δ18O and δ2H in river flow. Weekly to monthly surveys of δ18O and δ2H in river flow were collected between 2013 and 2019. Flow metrics (e.g. Pardé coefficient and coefficient of variation of streamflow) were generated for 14 of the 26 rivers between 2008 and 2018. Principal component analyses (PCA) and Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components (HCPC) analyses were used to identify variables controlling catchment clustering according to their similarities for four different scenarios. Despite their similar location along the southern edge of the Precambrian Shield, the 26 catchments generally clustered by watershed (SNF and Muskoka) with some exceptions. Differences in wetland and lake area (%), mean slope, and % area covered by glacialacustrine and glaciofluvial outwash deposits were the most influential variables in catchment classification. A positive correlation between % wetland area and streamflow stable isotope damping ratios suggests greater % wetland area (with shallow and potentially seasonally variable surface areas and/or hydrologic connection) observed in the SNF catchments increases variability in the influence of evaporative enrichment in SNF catchments. The catchment classification analyses in combination with stable isotopes of δ18O and δ2H were functional tools to investigate the combined influences of diverse types of catchment characteristics that lead to differences in hydrometric response. These results could support future studies focusing on generating hydrologic models and representing wetlands connectivity in the region.

The Impact of Linguistic Concordance and the Active Offer of French Language Services on Patient Satisfaction

Communication is essential to providing quality primary care. Linguistic concordance between patients and physicians has been linked to improved health outcomes and greater patient satisfaction. Although Canadian Francophones often struggle to access linguistics concordant health services, the concept of the active offer of French Language Services (FLS) has emerged as a means of ensuring the availability of such services and improving the francophone patient experience. However, the impact of language concordance and the active offer of FLS on patient satisfaction among Ontario Francophones remain largely unknown. Patient satisfaction surveys were collected as part of a continuing education program targeted at family physicians in Northeastern Ontario. Participating physicians distributed patient surveys consisting of select patient satisfaction questions from the Physicians Achievement Review (PAR) and select questions from the Active Offer of French Language Services in Minority Context Measure. Valid surveys were received from 235 patients. Just under half of these (44%) identified as Francophones, 62.6% had a French-speaking family physician; however, only 17.2% reported regularly speaking in French with their family physician. As hypothesized, there was a consistent tendency for Francophones who experience stronger linguistic concordance with their family physician to report higher satisfaction scores. Francophones who regularly speak French with their family physicians were more satisfied ( = 4.63) than those who rarely/never speak French ( = 4.29, F(1; 83) = 4.852; p &lt; 0.05). There was also a statistically significant interaction between the patients' language of preference and the service language. Francophones who prefer French and regularly speak it with their family physician (linguistic concordance; adj= 4.82) were significantly more satisfied than those who prefer French yet rarely/never speak it (linguistic discordance; adj= 4.06, F(1; 75) = 11.950; p &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, a positive correlation between patient satisfaction and the active offer was observed in Francophones (r = 0.49, p&lt;0.001). The present findings provide evidence of the impact of linguistically adapted health care services on the satisfaction of Ontario Francophones and suggest that patient satisfaction may be improved through the active offer of FLS. A larger and more diverse sample is required to confirm these findings.

Use of water isotopes and chemistry to infer the type and degree of exchange between groundwater and lakes in an esker complex of northeastern Ontario, Canada

Abstract. While interactions between groundwater and lake-water influence water chemistry, water balance, aquatic organisms, biochemical cycles and contamination levels, they remain a poorly studied component of lake hydrology. Identifying the controls of groundwater and lake-water interactions at the landscape level and classifying lakes into categories based on their degree of interaction with the groundwater can provide insights into a lake's sensitivity and vulnerability to environmental stressors. Such information can also provide baseline conditions for comparison to future changes that are important for water management and conservation. To this end, water chemistry and water isotopic composition were investigated in a set of 50 boreal lakes located at different elevations in an esker system near Timmins, Ontario. Analyses focused on stable isotopic ratios of hydrogen and oxygen and specific conductance as indicators of the position of a lake with respect to the influence of groundwater. Both isotopic composition and specific conductance distinguished higher-elevation groundwater-recharge lakes from lower-elevation groundwater-discharge lakes. Groundwater-recharge lakes were high-elevation lakes characterized by enriched isotopic values and low values of specific conductance. In contrast, groundwater-discharge lakes were isotopically depleted and had higher values of specific conductance and occurred at lower elevations. An intermediate group of lakes was also defined (termed seepage lakes) and had intermediate isotopic and water-chemistry characteristics compared to recharge and discharge lakes. Differences in water geochemistry between field campaigns revealed that upland groundwater-recharge lakes showed evidence of evaporative drawdown, indicating sensitivity to short-term changes in climate, whereas the lower-elevation groundwater-discharge lakes showed little variation between seasonal samples and consequently would likely be affected only by hydroclimatological changes of greater duration and magnitude.