The Earth Observation System (EOS) provides the infrastructure needed to study and document ecosystems in the St. Lawrence River Valley (VFSL) in Quebec in order to develop a quantitative predictive model of system-wide interactions in the geobiosphère-climate of the region. A key aspect of EOS is its ability to include a combination of fixed facilities and a flexible mobile infrastructure to observe and analyze the Dynamic Terrestrial System (DES) in remote areas of Quebec. The VFSL climate is characterized by exceptional weather conditions (eg, ice storms), varied uses of land (urban, natural, etc.) and biodiversity flows (species loss and invasion).
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.
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.
Processing and analysis of earth observation images in order to map and model environmental phenomena in the context of climate change. The research team in Environmental and NORdic Remote Sensing (TENOR) works on the development and application of digital approaches and the development of analysis and decision support tools applicable to various contexts by calling upon particularly in hydro-informatics, geomatics and remote sensing. The Environmental Remote Sensing by Drones (TED) laboratory includes different types of drones and a wide range of sensors: two hyperspectral cameras (400-1700 nm), a thermal infrared camera, a multispectral camera with interchangeable filters and a digital camera. The TENOR team also has a computer laboratory equipped with software specialized in image processing and geomatics, as well as field instrumentation (georadar, snow and ice corers, hydrometeorological sensors, etc.) necessary for the development and validation of algorithms.
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.
The St. Marthe Experimental Watershed consists of a set of hydrometeorological measurement stations continuously recording the key parameters related to hydrology and snow. These measurement points are located in and near the drainage zone of tributary 29 of Rivière à la Racquette. It has an area of almost 10 km2.
The main objective of this project is to evaluate different final cover scenarios to reduce the production of leachate in a Saint-Nicéphore landfill, located in Drummondville, Quebec. In order to assess the percolation, the Université de Sherbrooke team proposed to build an experimental plan on the existing coverage of the site. Five lysimeters were built in 4 enclosures, that is to say areas where all the runoff water is collected in order to monitor their quantity and quality over time. The quality must be monitored due to the presence of contaminated soil in some of the scenarios under study, while the quantities are used to carry out water balances over time. This project is done in collaboration with the company Waste Management and receives financial support from WM, CRSNG and CRIBIQ.
The purpose of the BEREV is to characterize the water cycle and the surface flows (energy, water and carbon) in a boreal environment in order to increase our understanding of the hydrological and hydrometeorological processes in the presence of abundant snow, in support of a better modeling and better forestry practices. In particular, BEREV has micrometeorological equipment above the canopy. To know more, watch this webinar about the BEREV: https://youtu.be/-bbwMuuYLYg
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.
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.
