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Landscape and Climate Impacts on Water Quality in Saskatchewan
Kerri Finlay
Associate Professor
Department of Biology
@FinlayScience
CBC, May 26 2021 Regina Leader Post, Mar 19 2021
Western Producer, June 17 2021
Western Producer, June 11 2021
CBC, July 10 2017
Water quality is affected by solute loading and concentration
N + P
N + P[N] + [P]
[salts]
Salts
Salts
Image credit: Jackie Webb
Water quality is affected by solute loading and concentration
Surface runoffN + P
N + P[N] + [P]
Precipitation
[salts]
Salts
Salts
Water quality is affected by solute loading and concentration
Surface runoffN + P
N + PSubsurface flow [N] + [P]
Precipitation
[salts]
Salts
Salts
Water quality is affected by solute loading and concentration
Surface runoffN + P
N + PSubsurface flow [N] + [P]
Precipitation
[salts]
Salts
GroundwaterSalts
Water quality is affected by solute loading and concentration
Surface runoffN + P
N + P
Evapoconcentration
Subsurface flow [N] + [P]
Precipitation
[salts]
Salts
GroundwaterSalts
Higher fertilization rates increase loading
Surface runoffN + P
N + P
Evapoconcentration
Subsurface flow [N] + [P]
Precipitation
[salts]
salts
Groundwatersalts
Urea fertilizer increases algal growth and toxicity
Urea fertilizer increases algal growth and toxicity
+ urea + light
Finlay et al 2010 L&O
Warmer, drier climate leads to higher evaporation
Surface runoffN + P
N + P
Evapoconcentration
Subsurface flow [N] + [P]
Precipitation
[salts]Salts
GroundwaterICSalts
Goal: Determine how landscape and climate impact lake and dugout water quality
Longitude
Lati
tud
e
Regina
Saskatoon
100 Dugouts2017-2019
105 Lakes 2004, 2013
Lakes and dugouts experience better water quality in wetter years
Evaporation to Inflow
Total Nitrogen (ug/L)
Total Phosphorus(ug/L)
Salinity
(ppt)
2004 (dry) 0.576 2376(410-10292)
130.9(0.9-4454)
2.95(0.2-115.8)
2013 (wet) 0.295 1450(330-11400)
80.0(0.9-10120)
1.50(0.14-102.2)
SO42- Dry year
SO4
2-W
et y
ear
Tota
l Dis
solv
ed S
olid
s W
et y
ear
Total Dissolved Solids Dry year
Dugouts
Lakes
Landscape factors varied for water quality parameters in dugouts
Water quality
measurement
Contributing factors Non-significant factors
Total dissolved
solids
Higher TDS with increased soil
hydraulic conductivity and soil
salinity
Dugout depth, geographical
location, local evaporation to
inflow ratios
Total algae
(chlorophyll a)
Lower total algae in deeper
dugouts, lower total algae as
soil hydraulic conductivity
increases
Local evaporation to inflow
ratio, soil salinity, land use
Microcystin toxin Not enough data
Sulfate ?? Soil salinity, geographical
location, local evaporation to
inflow ratios, dugout depth,
soil hydraulic conductivity
Current project: Microcystindetection and mitigation
Detection:
- Develop/use quick, easy, and reliable microcystindetection
Mitigation:
- Alternative water source, dredging, or treatment
- Determine whether aeration reduces microcystinproduction
Current project: Evaluate landscape and local controls of sulfate
Image credit: Michael Mensah
Moose Jaw Today, Apr 6 2021
Global News, Feb 22 2021
CBC, Feb 5 2021
Regina Leader Post, Feb 9 2021
Additional Water Quality Concerns in SK
Who is currently sampling SK lakes?
• Provincial Government• Water Security Agency
• Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport
• Federal Government
• University Researchers• University of Regina
• University of Saskatchewan
But these data aren’t often communicated to stakeholders
Current Project: Community-based Water Monitoring• Initiatives with Water
Rangers
• Expanding to 70 sites
Current project: Building bridges over troubled waters
• Evaluate levels of conflict re. water in Saskatchewan
Madden and McQuinn 2014
Summary
• Climate change and landscape features impact water quality in SK• More opportunity to locally mitigate landscape effects than
climate
• Mitigation efforts require extensive concerted efforts by many parties• Rigorous long-term sampling
• Community-based water monitoring
• Open-access data
• Conflict resolution
AcknowledgementsCollaborators: Peter Leavitt, Gavin Simpson, Helen Baulch, Bjoern Wissel, Zoraida Quinones-Rivera, Brian McQuinn
Postdoctoral Fellows and Graduate Students: Ellen Bledsoe, Jackie Webb, Ryan Rimas, Sydney Jesnen, Erika Helmond, Michael Mensah, Keerthikrutha Seetharaman
Field and lab team: Jessica Lerminiaux, Erin Ennis, Julee Stewart, BrynneMcMaster, Tiffany Blampied, Jessica Bos, Corey McCowan, Lauren Thies, Ann King, Willow Bellisle
