Wildlife research: laboratories and research support

S&T Branch’s laboratories are committed to excellence in producing the scientific data required to advance research and monitoring programs and support Environment Canada’s Science Plan.

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Wildlife and Landscape Laboratories and Research Support

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Ecosystem Health Research Laboratory
Scientist collecting northern fulmar eggs from High Arctic colony and preparing them for shipment south
Investigations conducted in the multidisciplinary Ecosystem Health Research Laboratory at the National Wildlife Research Centre study the effects of multiple stressors on wildlife and their habitats.
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Soil Toxicology Laboratory

Scientist collecting soil samplesThe Soil Toxicology Laboratory has a mandate to develop and standardize methods for measuring the effects of individual substances and contaminant mixtures on terrestrial plants and soil invertebrates.

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Soil Biotechnology Laboratory
Technologist collecting samples in Soil Biotechnology Laboratory
The Soil Biotechnology Laboratory is a state-of-the-art microbiology and genomics facility with a mandate to develop and standardize methods for measuring the effects of individual substances and contaminant mixtures on soil functions and microbial communities.
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Greenhouse and Growth Chambers

Spray chamber at the National Wildlife Research CentreThe Greenhouse and Growth Chambers houses research with native plants to assess biodiversity in natural and agrarian ecosystems, to advance knowledge in phytotoxicity testing for national and international pesticide regulatory purposes and to test effects of inorganic compounds.

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Laboratory Services
Scientist measuring
Laboratory Services provides support for the research carried out by the Wildlife S&T Experts and provides advice to external clients and academia on sample preparation and specimen banking, analytical techniques, data interpretation and method development and adaptation.
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National Wildlife Specimen Bank

Laboratory technician at cryogenic freezerThe National Wildlife Specimen Bank houses over 200,000 pieces of biological tissue from over 800 species. These samples are used in toxicological analysis to understand the effects of contaminants. New uses for the Specimen Bank include identifying emerging chemicals, DNA cataloguing and investigating wildlife disease.

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Metals Toxicology Laboratory
Scientist running samples through an atomic absorption spectrophotometer
The Metals Toxicology Laboratory conducts analyses to better understand the sources, food chain transfer and toxic effects of heavy metals like lead and mercury in wildlife and ecosystems.
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Nanomaterials Research Laboratory

Mechanical soil mixer enclosed in a walk-in fumehood for health and safety reasonsThe Nanomaterials Research Laboratory evaluates the properties, behaviour and effects of nanomaterials when introduced into soil, and their impact on terrestrial plants and soil organisms.

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Organic Contaminants Research Laboratory
Dr. Robert Letcher and research analysis using LC-tandem quadrupole
The Organic Contaminants Research Laboratory (OCRL) is engaged in analytical chemistry and environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology in wildlife and fish, and their ecosystems.

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