This study was directed towards the development of rigorous, systematic, computer-assisted statistical procedures for the interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data commonly encountered in practical exploration-oriented surveys. A suite of data analysis tools were developed to evaluate the quality of geochemical data sets, to investigate the value and utilization of categorical field data, and to recognize and rank anomalous samples. Data obtained from regional stream sediment surveys as undertaken by the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in southern British Columbia were examined as a case history. A procedure based on a statistical analysis of field-site duplicates was developed to evaluate the quality of regional geochemical silt data. The technique determines: (1) whether differences in metal concentrations between sample sites reflect a real trend related to geological and geochemical features and not merely a consequence of sampling and analytical error, and (2) absolute precision estimates at any particular accumulation across a metal's concentration range. Results for metals Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe and Mn indicated that combined variability due to local and procedural error averaged less than 5% of the total error and that precision estimates at the 95th percentile concentration value averaged less than 6.0%. Results presented indicate duplicates are more in accord with splits of individual samples (analytical duplicates) rather than separate field-site duplicates. This type of systematic approach provides a basis for interpreting geochemical trends within the survey area, while simultaneously allowing evaluation of the method of sampling and laboratory analysis. A procedure utilizing Duncan's Multiple Range Test examined the relationships between metal concentrations and class-interval and categorical observations of the drainage catchment, sample site and sediment sample. Results show that, many field observations can be systematically related to metal content of drainage sediments. Some elements are more susceptible than others to environmental factors and some factors influence few or many elements. For example, in sediments derived from granites there are significant relationships between bank type and concentration of 8 elements (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Co, Fe, Mn and Hg). In contrast, the texture of these sediments, using estimates of fines contents as an index, did not significantly affect the concentration of any of the elements studied. In general, results indicate that groups of environmental factors acting collectively are more important than any single factor in determining background metal contents of drainage sediments. A procedure utilizing both a graphical and multiple regression approach was developed to identify and characterize anomalous samples. The procedure determines multivariate models based on background metal values which are used to describe very general geochemical relations of no interest for prospecting purposes. These models are then applied to sample subsets selected on the basis of factor/s known to strongly influence geochemical results. Individual samples are characterized after comparisons with relevant determined threshold levels and background multielemenmodels. One hundred and fifteen anomalous samples for zinc from seven provenance groups draining 1259 sample sites were identified and characterized by this procedure. Forty three of these samples had zinc concentrations greater than its calculated provenance threshold, while 72 of these anomalous samples were identified solely because their individual metal associations were significantly different than their provenance multivariate background model. The method provides a means to reduce the effects of background variations while simultaneously identifying and characterizing anomalous samples. The data analysis tools described here allow extraction of useful information from regional geochemical data, and as a result provide and effective means of defining problems of geological interest that warrant further investigation. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

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Republic of Moldova is a small landlocked country in Eastern Europe. State of the environment is one of the many concerns of national government. Unfortunately, being the poorest country in Europe, Moldova is not able to provide necessary funding for the large-scale projects. Water resources are scarce: the one major river is Dniester. However, small rivers also could be seen as a valuable natural resource, though they are clearly neglected and overused. In this work I wanted to explore how healthier ecosystems built around water bodies can change people’s perception of the river and contribute to better quality of life in urban and rural areas. State of the river is heavily influenced by human activities, and it also has an impact on people’s lives. I examined the closed loop of that mutual interaction in order to design a comprehensive strategy of development. It would provide mutual benefits to ecosystems and economy, enhancing the resilience of both. Proposed strategy is based on sustainability of different dimensions: ecological, social and economical. It offers a set of measures which should be undertaken in urban and rural areas in order to re-discover value of the natural resource. All actions are designed to improve quality or abundance of water and simultaneously benefit other aspects of people's lives.

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<p> The period of observation necessary to obtain representative mean monthly values for precipitation, temperature, and streamflow is about fifteen years. At present there is a paucity of meteorological and streamflow records of such length. This makes hydrological investigations in northern Ontario difficult. </p> <p> River regimes of northern Ontario are found to exhibit general characteristics. More specifically, runoff peaks occur in spring due to snowmelt, and secondary fall peaks occur due to rainfall. The regimes can be classified into four types based upon qualitative comparisons of annual flow response patterns. River regimes in northern Ontario exhibit spatial variation. Rivers to the northwest have lower flow magnitude due to decreased precipitation, and tend to have flow "buffered" by the many small lakes located there. Rivers to the southeast have more pronounced spring melt peaks resulting from greater winter snow accumulation. Fall contributuion to total annual runoff increases to the northwest. The colder winter conditions of northern Ontario is reflected in a tendency of winter contribution to annual yield to decrease towards the northwest. </p> <p> Seasonal runoff is affected by meteorological conditions. Temperature has a marked effect on spring streamflow as rising temperature causes snowmelt. Summer flow reflects the effects of both temperature and precipitation. Precipitation has a pronounced effect on fall runoff. Winter runoff is dominated by baseflow only as temperatures are low and precipitation is snow which accumulates until spring. </p> <p> An attempt to produce equations for predicting seasonal monthly flow was unsuccessful. Meteorological stations are too sparsely distributed to provide representive data necessary for producing such equations. There is a need to increase the meteorological and streamflow station network in northern Ontario to enable a more comprehensive study of the hydrologic processes. / Thesis / Candidate in Philosophy

<p> This is the first study of the karst features found at Moira River karst. This study intends to investigate a number of different karst features of the area rather than concentrating on one highly specific problem. Hopefully this will enable the reader to appreciate the wide diversity of karst able to form within a small area such as Moira karst.</p> <p> The variation in karst features encountered at Moira River ranged from a relatively rare form of karst, called a draped karst, to dissolution patterns (scallops), found within a cave. The draped karst dominates much of the area and is formed by the preferential removal of thin, recessive limestone beds. The overlying, massive bedded unit remains and is "draped" over an underlying massive unit.</p> <p> The river plays a dominant role in the formation of karst features at Moira Karst. It floods quite frequently as evidenced by the number of runoff channels found in the area. The caves at Moira River karst have developed as a short cut across a bend in the river and are fully inundated when the river reaches high flow rates. Karst development does not extend much beyond a range of 300 m from either bank of the river and is concentrated on the east side of the river.</p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

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