River–lake linkages in chloride loading to Lake Ontario across an urban–rural gradient

LEB Aquatic is supporting the University of Toronto in the development of a scientific research paper examining how tributary chloride loads are connected to nearshore lake chloride patterns across an urban–rural land use gradient in Lake Ontario. This work included data consolidation and quality control of river and lake monitoring datasets, statistical analysis of chloride lake concentration and river loading patterns, literature review on freshwater salinization and watershed–lake connectivity, and scientific writing to support manuscript development. The project helped synthesize complex watershed and lake data into a clear, evidence-based assessment of how urbanization and road salt use influence chloride transport from rivers to Lake Ontario and the implications for the nearshore environment.

Current project

Building Analytical Capacity for Coastal Waters Monitoring – Saugeen Ojibway Nation

LEB Aquatic is supporting the Saugeen Ojibway Nation’s Coastal Waters Monitoring Program in developing internal capacity to translate long-term environmental monitoring data into decision-relevant ecological insights. This work focuses on moving beyond threshold-based assessments toward a structured, question-driven framework that supports stewardship planning and community-led decision-making.

The project integrates objective setting, hypothesis development, and indicator design with applied training in statistical analysis and reproducible workflows using R. Through a combination of workshops, modular training units, and applied analyses, the program is building the tools and expertise needed to evaluate spatial and temporal patterns, assess site condition, and support adaptive monitoring across a large and ecologically diverse coastal system.

This approach emphasizes capacity-building, data sovereignty, and the development of transparent, reproducible analytical frameworks that strengthen long-term program resilience and evidence-based stewardship.

Current project