Research

Research Infrastructures

Adaptable earth observation system


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).

Institution
  • McGill University
  • Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Location
Montreal (Quebec) and mobile
Contact person
Julie Thériault, Professeur
theriault.julie@uqam.ca, 514 987-3000, poste 4276
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 2: Hydrometeorological regime under climate
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 3: Flow rates and water levels

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

Experimental site for geoenvironmental and hydrological studies


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.

Institution
  • Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS)
Location
Drummondville (Québec)
Contact person
Alexandre Cabral, professor
Alexandre.Cabral@USherbrooke.ca, (819) 821-8000, ext. 67906
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Transversal axis: Governance and management
    Theme 2: Risks and disrupters of governance
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 2: Water uses for primary production
More info de Experimental site for geoenvironmental and hydrological studies

Forêt Montmorency experimental watershed (BEREV)


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

Institution
  • Université Laval
Location
Forêt Montmorency, Quebec
Contact person
Sylvain Jutras, Professor
sylvain.jutras@sbf.ulaval.ca, 418 656-2131, ext. 12260
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 2: Hydrometeorological regime under climate
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 2: Water uses for primary production
More info de Forêt Montmorency experimental watershed (BEREV)

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

Hydraulics Laboratory


The UdeS hydraulic laboratory is one of the largest in Canada. It is used as much for the courses as for the research or the realization of expertises. Numerous assemblies and several channels allow the visualization and the experimentation of almost all the phenomena of the hydraulics with free surface and under pressure. It includes a 40 hp pump, a charging system, a gauging station, channels, numerous valves and a wave channel. Measuring instruments using the latest technologies, such as acoustic doppler velocimetry, are connected to computerized data acquisition systems.

Institution
  • Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS)
Location
Sherbrooke (Québec)
Contact person
Robert Leconte, Professor
Robert.Leconte@USherbrooke.ca, 819 821-7247
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 2: Hydrometeorological regime under climate
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 3: Flow rates and water levels
More info de Hydraulics Laboratory

Hydraulics Laboratory


The hydraulics laboratory of the civil engineering department has several equipment to reproduce flows with free surface and load. It includes a 40 hp pump, a charging system, a gauging station, channels, numerous valves and a wave channel. Measuring instruments using the latest technologies, such as acoustic doppler velocimetry, are connected to computerized data acquisition systems. As part of research activities, specific editing can be done. Currently, we can observe a test bench to assess, in full size, the hydraulic capacity of the storm sewer grilles.

Institution
  • Université Laval
Location
Québec, Québec
Contact person
Vincent Aeschlimann, Responsible for practical work and research
vincent.aeschlimann@gci.ulaval.ca, 418 656-2131, ext, 2036
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 3: Flow rates and water levels
More info de Hydraulics Laboratory

International Laboratory on Complex Hydrogeological Systems (LIASHyC)


LIASHyC aims to be a world reference in the field of complex hydrogeological systems through the quality and relevance of its research and innovation, training and transfer activities. The research and innovation program focuses on fractured media hydrogeology, hydrogeology of northern and alpine regions, and characterization of hydrogeological heterogeneities. LIASHyC consists of the following parties: - Institute of Earth Sciences of the UNIL (ISTE-UNIL) - Center of Hydrogeology and Geothermal Energy of UNINE (CHYN-UNINE) - Center Eau Terre Environnement of the INRS - Department of Geology and Geological Engineering of Laval University

Institution
  • Université Laval
Location
Quebec (Quwbec)
Contact person
John Molson, Full professor
john.molson@ggl.ulaval.ca, 418 656-5713
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 3: Flow rates and water levels
More info de International Laboratory on Complex Hydrogeological Systems (LIASHyC)

Laboratory of Applied Geophysics


The Applied Geophysics Laboratory of the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering includes several geophysical equipment for the non-destructive auscultation of physical environments for Earth science needs. This equipment is supplemented by a linear thrust system with a capacity of 10000 kg to carry out penetration tests with electro-seismic piezocone with constant penetration rate. These tests provide precise but timely information on the stratigraphy of the environment studied. In order to extend this stratigraphy to the whole of a given study site, the geophysical methods of surface auscultation of the physical environments (profiles of georadar, 2D and 3D tomography of induced polarization, surveys of seismic refraction and reflection, ...) are then used.

Institution
  • Université Laval
Location
Québec, Québec
Contact person
Marc Choquette, Responsible for practical work and research
marc.choquette@ggl.ulaval.ca, 418 656-5035
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 3: Flow rates and water levels
More info de Laboratory of Applied Geophysics
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