PhD Oral Defense: Dynamics of trace metals and de-icing salt in compost-amended urban soils

PhD Oral Defense of Maryam Kargar, Department of Bioresource Engineering

The health of street trees is negatively impacted by the accumulation of potentially toxic metals from vehicular emissions and the splashing of de-icing salt onto the soil in sidewalk tree pits. These same contaminants can also degrade groundwater quality. A collaborative study between McGill University and the City of Montreal was conducted to design a mixture of soil and organic amendments to promote street tree health and improve urban runoff water quality. To do this study, it was necessary to understand how the presence of soil contaminants is related to different factors in the urban environment, and how those factors affect nutrient availability to plants.

Everyone in the McGill community is welcome to attend a PhD oral defense. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our PhD candidates.