Jonathan Beaudet, MSc student

Department of Applied Geomatics, University of Sherbrooke

Contact

I am interested in ecology and geomatics. I specialize in modeling and spatial analysis to help understand the effects of climate change on microbial supply in lakes.

Research project

Influence of climate change on the risk of exposure of human populations to faecal coliforms while swimming in Canadian lakes

Microbial contaminants such as faecal coliforms from agricultural practices (high livestock density and field application) are carried to lakes by runoff and leaching, which greatly contribute to the risk of exposure to human populations. In a climate change context where increased precipitation and extreme rainfall events are now a reality, it is appropriate to question the effect of agricultural practices on the water quality of our lakes.

The objectives of this project:

• Illustrate and describe the current spatial distribution and trends of microbial contamination in Canadian lakes.
• Identify climatic and environmental determinants of microbial contamination using the soil loss equation (RUSLE-CAN) and animal density.
• Develop a risk indicator and establish the strength of the relationship between determinants and faecal coliform levels in lakes.
• Illustrate the risk of exposure to faecal coliforms under climate changes scenarios over a 2040, 2070 and 2100 horizon.

Project start to finish dates: August 2017 to September 2019

Supervisors: Yannick Huot (Université de Sherbrooke) and Stéphanie Brazeau (ASPC/PHAC)

LakePulse survey sampling 680 lakes across Canada

Summer 2018: Sampling lakes with a field team

Summer 2017: Green team (15 days)
I was in charge of water and net sampling as well as sample filtrations.