TORONTO, Tuesday, March 20, 2018 – About 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water that is essential to life. York University experts are available to discuss the importance of water and how we can preserve it this World Water Day (March 22), the theme for which is “nature for water.”
York University researchers look at how people and climate change are threatening the supply of freshwater, the long-term impacts, and what can be done.
Biology Professor Sapna Sharma of the Faculty of Science can talk about the importance of freshwater, water quality issues and the impacts of climate change on freshwater quantity and quality.
Professor Roberto Quinlan, a biology professor in the Faculty of Science, can discuss water quality issues, including the long-term impacts of multiple stressors acting upon lakes such as climate change and pollution such as road salt or nutrients from human activities.
Lewis Molot of the Faculty of Environmental Studies can talk about the changes that occur when fertilizers from farms and cities enter lakes, as well as the chemical and physical conditions that promote and sustain the growth of blooms of cyanobacteria, a type of algae that produce liver and nerve toxins, on lake surfaces. Some blooms are large enough to be seen by satellite.
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Media Contact:
Sandra McLean, York University Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22097, sandramc@yorku.ca
