Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other known or suspected endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) have been widely detected in various waters throughout the world. Prior to this study, however, sampling for these substances was rather limited within Alberta. In 2002 and 2003, due to concerns about potential impacts on humans, livestock, aquatic organisms, and wildlife, Alberta Environment collected wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and receiving river water from numerous locations throughout the Province and analysed them for a broad range of organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs). This initial survey, encompassing an assortment of pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, steroids, surfactants, and plasticizers, was designed to determine which compounds are released by WWTPs in Alberta and to assess their presence in receiving river waters. Results of this study indicate that many of the 1 05 compounds and isomer mixtures that were tested for occur with some regularity in Alberta WWTP effluents and can be detected in the associated receiving rivers. In the majority of cases, concentrations of target analytes in receiving waters at well-mixed downstream sites were either below detection or several orders of magnitude lower than the same compounds in corresponding WWTP effluents. Certain groups of pharmaceuticals, namely the quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics, were virtually absent in surface waters, while others, including acidic pharmaceuticals, neutral pharmaceuticals, and sulfonamide antibiotics, were markedly lower in rivers than they were in effluents. Similarly, those EDCs that occurred at measurable concentrations in effluents were typically much reduced or below detection in downstream river water. All of the phthalate esters, one of nine monophthalate esters, and all nonylphenol ethoxylates analysed were found in effluents and, albeit at greatly reduced levels, in receiving waters. At present, surface water guidelines have not yet been established for the vast majority of compounds examined during this study. Nonetheless, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment nonylphenol guideline for the protection of aquatic life (1.0 pg/L) was exceeded by 0.4 pg/L in the Oldman River. However, since toxic equivalents for each river were calculated based on data from a single sample collected at a single point in time, they should be viewed with caution. A need for additional monitoring of OWCs in Alberta's surface waters is indicated.

During the spring of 2004, in the Calgary Health Region (CHR) two critical incidents occurred involving patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in the intensive care unit (ICU). The outcome of these events resulted in the sudden death of both patients.The Department of Critical Care Medicine's Patient Safety and Adverse Events Team (PSAT), utilized the Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) tool to review the process and conditions surrounding the ordering and administration of potassium chloride (KCl) and potassium phosphate (KPO 4 ) in our ICUs.The HFMEA tool and the multidisciplinary team structure provided a solid framework for systematic analysis and prioritization of areas for improvement regarding the use of intravenous, high-concentration KCL and KPO 4 in the ICU.

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Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide used for the control of annual and perennial grasses and broadleaf weeds. Registered for use in Canada in 1974, it is currently registered and used in over 125 countries. With annual sales in Alberta (1998) exceeding 2.6 million kg of active ingredient, it is by far the most commonly used pesticide in the province. Long considered by scientists and farmers around the world as an effective and environmentally friendly herbicide, recent studies have shown some persistence and mobility in the environment. This study was designed to explore some of the pathways of glyphosate to surface waters such as atmospheric deposition, emissions during spraying, and persistence in soil; the study also included the monitoring of water from selected streams and wetlands. The sampling year 2002 proved to be a difficult year to undertake a glyphosate residue study due to environmental factors. The severe drought conditions in east central Alberta hampered canola growth and subsequently greatly reduced the amount of glyphosate used in this growing and sampling season. Despite the drought and reduced usage, glyphosate was found in many environmental samples. Atmospheric deposition was measured at three sites in east central Alberta. Rainfall and particulate matter were collected as total deposition at seven-day intervals throughout the growing season. The three precipitation sites had glyphosate detections throughout the sampling time period. Glyphosate deposition rates ranged from <0.001 to 1.51 ligW/day. Volatile and particulate emissions of glyphosate were measured before and after the spraying of a canola field with Roundup®. This study component was conducted in the Mannville area on a field with glyphosate tolerant canola. Pre-event air samples were taken two weeks prior to spraying. Post-event air sampling was conducted for 24-hour periods beginning at 1-hour post spray, 25-hour post spray and 49-hour post spray. Glyphosate was not detected in any of the air samples collected with polyurethane foam (PUF) samples but it was detected in some of the particulate samples. The detection of glyphosate in soil samples 10 months after spraying was indicative of some persistence. Glyphosate was detected in most of the wetlands and streams sampled for this project. Concentrations were generally close to the detection limit (0.2 |Lig/L). Higher levels were recorded at some sites: Wetland #5 sample (1.066 |ug/L), two Haynes Creek samples (1.105 and 0.425 |ig/L) and a sample from the St. Mary's River Irrigation District (6.079 fig/L). This study determined that glyphosate is transported in association with particulate matter (dust) and not as vapour. Detections in precipitation are more likely due to glyphosate associated with dust particles being washed down with rain than to glyphosate dissolved in rain. A follow up study is recommended to document residue levels in a year where glyphosate use and moisture patterns are closer to normal for that part of the province. As well, the persistence of glypho...

List of Appendices Appendix I Anomaly graphs and maps are completed for each Alberta Appendixlactive climate station. Appendix II Large spring wildfires illustrated on the April and May AppendixII-1 precipitation anomaly maps for Alberta. Appendix III Summary of fire history studies completed in Alberta AppendixIII-1 Appendix IV Application aspects of five landscape disturbance models Appendixl V-l used to model fire regimes on Alberta landscapes. Protection, Forest Land Use, Timber Management, Construction and Maintenance, and Training. The Forest Service also opened a new fire control facility (called the Fire Control Depot) near the Edmonton City Centre Airport. The staff and resources at the Fire Control Depot significantly advanced the Forest Protection Program, and provided greater efficiencies for the coordinated initial attack of fires. The 1968 Vega fire highlighted the need to strengthen the Forest and Prairie Protection Act. This Act was subsequently revised and tabled in the legislature in 1971. The fire control policy in 1971 was based on a number of objectives: