Research

Research Infrastructures

Aquatic Bio-optics and Biogeochemistry Laboratory


The Aquatic Bio-optics and Biogeochemistry Laboratory enables researchers to study the effects of climate change and permafrost thawing on lake water transparency and mixing dynamics and their multiple impacts on the microbial food chain, greenhouse gas emissions, and oxythermal habitat. Research at the Aquatic Bio-Optics and Biogeochemistry Laboratory also focuses on developing optical equipment for early detection of algal and cyanobacterial blooms and other problems related to water browning.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Québec, Québec
Contact person
Isabelle Laurion, Professeure
isabelle.laurion@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-2694
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 1: Water needs and uses of cities
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 2: Water uses for primary production
More info de Aquatic Bio-optics and Biogeochemistry Laboratory

CIRSA Experimental Station of the Sainte-Marguerite River


The station is located 10 km north of Sacré-Coeur, near the Ste-Marguerite River, a tributary of the Saguenay. The station is used for training in hydrometry, geomorphology, ecology and research in hydrology and fish habitats. The scientific equipment includes: a weather station, a water temperature monitoring station in the Ste-Marguerite River, an ADCP measuring the flow from May to November in the Ste-Marguerite River. Users also have access to mobile ADCPs (Sontek M9 and Teledyne Streampro), electric fishermen, thermographs and turbidimeters. The facilities include a laboratory area, a chalet with a classroom for 30 people, a dormitory for 35 people, a kitchen / cafeteria and a sanitary area with showers. She is in operation from May to November. The station belongs to the Interuniversity Center for Research on Atlantic Salmon (CIRSA) and is managed by the INRS.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Sacré-Cœur-sur-le-Fjord, Québec
Contact person
André St-Hilaire, Professor
andre.st-hilaire@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-3113
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 2: Hydrometeorological regime under climate
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 3: Flow rates and water levels
More info de CIRSA Experimental Station of the Sainte-Marguerite River

Environmental Hydraulic Laboratory (LHE)


This laboratory makes it possible to develop, among other things, sustainable approaches to coastal management to counter the erosion caused by climate change. This world-class laboratory is used to simulate swells, tides and high flow currents affecting the majority of coarse-bed streams, such as rivers and the St. Lawrence River. It offers a rich potential of applications, for example:  - Model the equilibrium profile of beaches for the stabilization of shorelines;  - Model sedimentation in harbors and marinas to plan dredging or control sediment drift;  - Study the interaction of currents and waves on coastal structures and at sea;  - Model overflow and overflow phenomena due to sea level rise on Canadian coasts;  - Simulate the effect of tides on port facilities;  - Simulate the effect of ice on banks in the presence of waves and currents;  - Model the diffusion of pollutants in complex hydraulic systems;  - Design arrangements or soft solutions for coastal protection.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Québec, Québec
Contact person
Damien Pham Van Bang, Professor
damien.pham_van_bang@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-2590
Associated axis :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 3: Flow rates and water levels
More info de Environmental Hydraulic Laboratory (LHE)

Geotech 605 specialized drilling rig for the characterization of aquifers


The main equipment for characterizing the physical and geochemical properties of aquifers is a specialized Geotech 605 drilling rig. With the data collected, it is possible to model the flow of water and the transport of contaminants in aquifers. It is also possible to assess the vulnerability of aquifers to contamination, to determine the most suitable protection methods and methods of exploitation for sustainable management of the groundwater resource. This crawler drill has a real-time recording system of mechanical and electrical soil responses. It also allows soil or groundwater sampling by installing observation wells. The system has two drilling heads, one for drilling by penetration (cone penetration) in loose deposits, and another equipped with a hydraulic hammer for rotary impact drilling up to 50 m in rock and loose deposits according to the conditions.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Quebec City (Québec) et mobile
Contact person
René Lefebvre, Professeur
rene.lefebvre@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-2651
Associated axis :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
More info de Geotech 605 specialized drilling rig for the characterization of aquifers

Geothermal Open Laboratory


The research conducted at the Geothermal Open Laboratory is aimed at gaining better understanding of underground heat transfer and flow phenomena for reducing technical risks of geothermal energy. It is an open access laboratory, modeled after open-source software.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Québec, Québec
Contact person
Félix-Antoine Comeau, Responsable du laboratoire
felix-antoine.comeau@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-2652
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 2: Hydrometeorological regime under climate
More info de Geothermal Open Laboratory