Brant Land Trust lecture to explore impacts of contaminants in Grand River

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

A leading Canadian researcher will share new insights into the effects of pollution on the Grand River watershed during an upcoming public lecture hosted by the Brant Land Trust.

Gerald Tetreault, a research scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, will present Assessing the impacts of multiple stressors in the Grand River watershed on Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. The event will take place at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Research and Academic Centre East in Brantford, with an online option also available. Admission is free, though registration is required. 

The lecture is the third and final installment in a three-part series examining our relationship with the land and responsibilities to it.

Tetreault’s research focuses on how contaminants, including those from municipal wastewater, road runoff, agriculture and urbanization, are affecting aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity in the watershed. 

Particular attention will be given to the rainbow darter, a small fish species used as an indicator of ecosystem health. Studies have shown concerning biological changes in fish exposed to wastewater effluent, including the presence of intersex characteristics linked to hormone-disrupting chemicals. 

“Brant Land Trust is pleased to announce the presenter for the third of the three-part public lecture series will be Gerald Tetreault,” said Joan Faux of the Brant Land Trust. “This lecture will help the community better understand the impacts of contaminants in the Grand River and the importance of ongoing research.”

There is also encouraging news, organizers say. Improvements to wastewater treatment facilities in recent years are already showing measurable benefits in fish health and ecosystem recovery.

“The Grand River and its tributaries are vital to our community,” noted the organization in its release. “Paying attention to water quality and quantity through continual monitoring is important.” 

The lecture is presented in partnership with the Laurier Institute for Water Science and Wilfrid Laurier University.

In-person seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. More information and registration details are available through the Brant Land Trust.