Environment & Sustainability

New tech lets experts detect toxic chemicals in wastewater faster

From four hours to 10 minutes, new technology created by McMaster engineers lets experts test water toxicity more efficiently.

McMaster researcher warns plastic pollution in the Great Lakes is a growing concern to ecosystems and human health

Research from a leading international expert on the health of the Great Lakes suggests that the growing intensity and scale of pollution from plastics poses serious risks to human health and will continue to have profound consequences on the ecosystem.

Canada falling short of U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals, says new report from water scientists

Canada could lead the world in helping to achieve water sustainability but is falling short of reaching the goals set out by the United Nations (U.N.), according to a new report from scientists with the University of Saskatchewan-led Global Water Futures (GWF) program.

A big leap forward

Scientists solve the lingering mystery of a poorly understood frog.

Extreme evolution

Researchers find hurricanes drive the evolution of more aggressive spiders.

McMaster researchers named to International Joint Commission advisory boards

New members will advise on water quality in the Great Lakes and on environmental public health issues.

New study shows legacy of DDT in lake ecosystems

New findings of a multi-university research team show the pesticide DDT persists in remote lakes at concerning levels half a century after it was banned, affecting key aquatic species and potentially entire lake food webs.

The most aggressive spider societies are not always the ones that flourish, researchers find

Evolutionary biologist Jonathan Pruitt has found that the success of colony spiders' cooperative societies depends on their neighbours, not on their level of aggression.

Global Water Futures funds more water-quality research at Six Nations

The three-year Ohneganos project will focus on issues of wellness, training and governance related to water quality on Six Nations of the Grand River.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for mosquitoes

The number of mosquitoes we see each change from year to year. This is because the successful reproduction of mosquitoes depends on precipitation levels and warm weather.

Ticks are expanding their habitat – and bringing disease with them

As summer-like temperatures bring ticks out of hibernation, a biologist from McMaster warns that they are spreading across Ontario, increasing the risk for infections such as Lyme disease.

New genomic evidence links extinct giant ground sloth to small modern-day sloths

The research suggests the two species diverged from one another approximately 22 million years ago.  

Managing the effects of climate change on Canada’s water

Two new projects led by Mac researchers will work to assess and mitigate the effects of climate change on Canada's water.

Researchers developing tech to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

McMaster engineers are working to reduce the impacts of greenhouse gases and air pollution on our climate and environment.

Prescription drugs in treated wastewater are making fish more vulnerable to predators

When it comes to environmental problems caused by medications and personal care products, fish are the canaries in the coal mine.

Mac team tackling ‘unacceptable’ water issues in First Nations communities

For World Water Week 2018 (November 20-23), we're highlighting some of the water research that's happening at Mac. First is Dawn Martin-Hill's interdisciplinary Global Water Futures Project, "Co-Creation of Indigenous Water Quality Tools," which brings together McMaster researchers and Indigenous partners to address water quality in Indigenous communities.

Engineering researchers receive $1.9 million in federal funding 

Five McMaster research projects have been awarded more than $1.9 million combined for infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

Expert in environmental health named new Jarislowsky Chair

Karen Kidd, an internationally recognized expert in chemical contamination of food webs, has been named the Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair in Environment and Health at McMaster University.

A Peruvian Andean adventure

From May 25 to June 11, the Glacial Sedimentology Lab, led by Dr. Carolyn Eyles, worked with Peruvian scientists from the National Institute for Research in Glaciers and Mountain Ecosystems to understand the glacial systems and water issues in Perú.

McMaster science professors to tackle Canada’s pressing water-related issues

Professors Sean Carey and Mike Waddington, both from the School of Geography and Earth Sciences, have been awarded more than $3.4 million combined from the Global Water Futures (GWF) Program.

McMaster’s early researchers earn nearly $1M in funding

Seven researchers from across the disciplines have earned Early Researcher Awards to advance their work – a collective investment of nearly $1 million from the Province of Ontario.

From the burning Boreal to lead poisoning, McMaster 3MT a showcase of grad research

More than 50 graduate students registered to participate in this year’s full-day event. Competitors took part in four preliminary heats, with the top three from each heat moving forward into the Final at the end of the day.

McMaster researchers receive funding to pursue international partnerships

16 projects, spanning four continents and representing all six Faculties have been funded in the latest round of the International Initiatives Micro Fund (IIMF).

McMaster strengthens ties with leading global post-secondary institutions, industry

McMaster's Associate Vice-President, International Affairs, Peter Mascher, is in Thailand to discuss university-private sector collaboration and share best practices in research and innovation.

Rising McMaster chemical engineering star recognized with an award for her research on renewable materials

Cranston’s research work explores the use of trees and materials from nature and how to reuse them in a wide range of sustainable and renewable products.

Averting disaster: Manish Verma awarded $245K to further rail safety research

Manish Verma, an Associate Professor at the DeGroote School of Business, has received NSERC funding to further his research involving rail safety and the overland movement of dangerous goods.

McMaster strengthens ties with universities in the Netherlands

McMaster’s Acting Vice-President of Research, Allison Sekuler was recently in the Netherlands to explore and expand partnership opportunities and share best practices in university research and innovation.