Research profiles

Oceans cover approximately 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, and yet our knowledge of this vitally important environment remains limited. In response, Canadian scientists have deployed a state-of-the-art undersea observatory to collect data on the least understood ecosystem on the planet. The NEPTUNE Canada project, based at the University of Victoria, is the world’s first cabled undersea laboratory and will measure the changing biological, chemical and physical properties of the sea floor. Scientists will also be able to better understand the driving forces behind earthquakes, volcanoes and continental movements.

A former graduate student at the University of Victoria took a proactive approach to coping with forecasts of increased rainfall as a result of climate change. His answer? Permeable surfaces. Permeable surfaces, such as living roofs, paving stones, special porous concrete and rain gardens, let rainfall soak into the natural ground, rather than being diverted through our water systems. This “gentler” way of managing rainfall will also mean fewer costly infrastructure upgrades.