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Prof. Tony Walker
Dalhousie University

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0 Remediation
0 contaminants
0 Plastic pollution
0 Environmental effects monitoring
0 Impacts of marine transportation

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contaminants
Remediation
Plastic pollution
Impacts of marine transportation
Environmental effects monitoring

Honors and Awards

2019 Management Teaching Excellence Award

Awards for teaching excellence encourage and support superior teaching and learning in the Faculty of Management. Excellent teachers provide rich and productive learning environments for graduate and undergraduate management students, inspiring them to excel in their personal, academic and professional lives. The Management Teaching Excellence Awards are presented annually to faculty members from the Faculty of Management.

Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University




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Journal article
Published: 20 June 2021 in Environmental Challenges
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Recent research attention has been directed at legislative and market-based instruments with little recourse to understanding attitudinal and behavioural responses to single-use plastics (SUPs). Using the tri-component model, this study examines attitudinal and behavioural segments on SUPs amongst residents in coastal cities of Accra and Cape Coast in Ghana. A questionnaire was used to solicit data from 2,345 residents selected using the multi-stage sampling technique. Findings show that there are three attitudinal clusters on SUPs amongst residents, namely avoiders, potential avoiders and patrons. Avoiders have unfavourable attitudes towards SUPs and as such avoid consumption of SUPs, while potential have unfavourable attitudes towards SUPs, but with a lower level of avoidance and thus sometimes use them. Patrons have favourable attitudes towards SUPs and equally consume them. Each of these three attitudinal clusters varies across the socio-demographic characteristics of residents. The implications of these findings towards the reduction of marine SUP pollution are discussed.

ACS Style

Issahaku Adam; Tony R. Walker; C. Andrea Clayton; Joana Carlos Bezerra. Attitudinal and behavioural segments on single-use plastics in Ghana: Implications for reducing marine plastic pollution. Environmental Challenges 2021, 4, 100185 .

AMA Style

Issahaku Adam, Tony R. Walker, C. Andrea Clayton, Joana Carlos Bezerra. Attitudinal and behavioural segments on single-use plastics in Ghana: Implications for reducing marine plastic pollution. Environmental Challenges. 2021; 4 ():100185.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Issahaku Adam; Tony R. Walker; C. Andrea Clayton; Joana Carlos Bezerra. 2021. "Attitudinal and behavioural segments on single-use plastics in Ghana: Implications for reducing marine plastic pollution." Environmental Challenges 4, no. : 100185.

Editorial
Published: 17 June 2021 in Marine Pollution Bulletin
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ACS Style

Tony R. Walker. Plastic industry plan to sue the Canadian federal government for listing plastic as toxic may increase plastic marine pollution. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2021, 169, 112583 .

AMA Style

Tony R. Walker. Plastic industry plan to sue the Canadian federal government for listing plastic as toxic may increase plastic marine pollution. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2021; 169 ():112583.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tony R. Walker. 2021. "Plastic industry plan to sue the Canadian federal government for listing plastic as toxic may increase plastic marine pollution." Marine Pollution Bulletin 169, no. : 112583.

Editorial
Published: 03 June 2021 in Marine Pollution Bulletin
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ACS Style

Tony R. Walker. Why are we still polluting the marine environment with personal protective equipment? Marine Pollution Bulletin 2021, 169, 112528 -112528.

AMA Style

Tony R. Walker. Why are we still polluting the marine environment with personal protective equipment? Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2021; 169 ():112528-112528.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tony R. Walker. 2021. "Why are we still polluting the marine environment with personal protective equipment?" Marine Pollution Bulletin 169, no. : 112528-112528.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2021 in Environmental Reviews
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Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) include over-the-counter and prescription drugs, veterinary drugs, fragrances, and cosmetics. PPCPs have been detected in aquatic environments at low concentrations and are emerging as contaminants of concern. PPCPs are primarily released into aquatic environments via untreated sewage, wastewater treatment plants, landfill leachate and can affect aquatic life through persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. However, there are limited reviews of lethal and sublethal effects of PPCP exposures on aquatic organisms. To understand PPCP toxicity on aquatic organisms, a literature review was conducted that identified aquatic organisms known to be affected by PPCPs; concentrations of PPCPs reported as producing sublethal and lethal effects in aquatic organisms; and research gaps on PPCP aquatic toxicity. Twelve PPCPs were selected from three seminal studies for review, including bisphenol A, carbamazepine, erythromycin, fluoxetine, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, metoprolol, naproxen, nonylphenol, ofloxacin, sertraline, sulfamethoxazole, and triclosan. Many aquatic species were affected by PPCPs at sublethal and lethal exposures, including sublethal effects at environmentally relevant concentrations. Because lethal effects were seldom observed at environmentally relevant concentrations, many studies considered PPCPs non-toxic. Few studies have compared effects of PPCPs on the same organisms for identical exposure parameters (time and concentration), resulting in wide variation in reported toxicity levels with limited consensus in the academic literature. Consensus in lethal concentrations was reported for Daphnia magna with 48 h exposure for bisphenol A and triclosan and Vibrio fischeri with 15 min exposure to carbamazepine. Environmentally relevant sublethal concentrations were higher than water quality guidelines developed for Canada and predicted no-effect concentrations derived globally. Species sensitivity distributions for some PPCPs show that aquatic species are affected lethally at environmentally relevant concentrations. More studies on indirect and long-term ecological effects along with testing chronic toxicity of PPCPs at environmentally relevant concentrations are recommended. These will help guide future research to determine extent and magnitude of PPCP concentrations in aquatic environments and help inform management decisions to reduce sources of PPCPs into the environment. Future management requires effective monitoring strategies regarding use, disposal, occurrence, and impacts at different life cycle stages of PPCPs in the environment.

ACS Style

Harveer S. Srain; Karen F. Beazley; Tony R. Walker. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products and their sublethal and lethal effects in aquatic organisms. Environmental Reviews 2021, 29, 142 -181.

AMA Style

Harveer S. Srain, Karen F. Beazley, Tony R. Walker. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products and their sublethal and lethal effects in aquatic organisms. Environmental Reviews. 2021; 29 (2):142-181.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Harveer S. Srain; Karen F. Beazley; Tony R. Walker. 2021. "Pharmaceuticals and personal care products and their sublethal and lethal effects in aquatic organisms." Environmental Reviews 29, no. 2: 142-181.

Review article
Published: 15 April 2021 in Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry
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Since the launch of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, the SDGs have been widely adopted by governments and corporations in an effort to improve their sustainability. There are 17 SDGs, comprising 169 targets, which are measurable against 247 unique indicators. Despite pervasive global pollution from (micro)plastics, there is only one indicator (14.1.1b) under Goal 14, specifically related to reducing impacts from (micro)plastics. Reliable reporting and monitoring of 247 SDG indicators present unique challenges for governments and organizations to implement, which may be further exacerbated by the pervasive nature of (micro)plastic pollution if not properly monitored across these indicators. This review focused on recent literature to provide a critical overview of the key challenges specifically related to (micro)plastics as they may undermine the implementation of sustainable strategies and action plans required to achieve the UN SDGs.

ACS Style

Tony R. Walker. (Micro)plastics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry 2021, 30, 100497 .

AMA Style

Tony R. Walker. (Micro)plastics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry. 2021; 30 ():100497.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tony R. Walker. 2021. "(Micro)plastics and the UN Sustainable Development Goals." Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry 30, no. : 100497.

Journal article
Published: 17 March 2021 in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
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Single-use plastic food packaging is a major contributor to the global solid waste problem. Although the food industry is developing strategies to reduce single-use plastic packaging, it needs to better understand consumer awareness and attitudes about the issue. As consumer awareness about single-use plastic waste outpaces private sector practices, this study considered personal motivation factors, government policies, and innovative solutions related to single-use plastic food packaging. This Canada-wide study surveyed 1014 consumers and their willingness to pay premiums for sustainable food packaging alternatives and motivations to reduce single-use plastic waste. Overwhelmingly, most (93.7%) respondents were personally motivated to reduce consumption of single-use plastic food packaging. Canadians were highly motivated to reduce single-use plastic food packaging, but less willing to pay for sustainable alternatives. While environmental concerns were more critical than food safety, Canadians acknowledged that sustainable packaging alternatives were more desirable than outright plastic bag bans, despite not willing to pay for them. Using approaches that consider multiple driving factors on consumer behavior and opinions towards use of single-use plastic food packaging, limitations, recommendations and future research are proposed.

ACS Style

Tony R. Walker; Eamonn McGuinty; Sylvain Charlebois; Janet Music. Single-use plastic packaging in the Canadian food industry: consumer behavior and perceptions. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 2021, 8, 1 -11.

AMA Style

Tony R. Walker, Eamonn McGuinty, Sylvain Charlebois, Janet Music. Single-use plastic packaging in the Canadian food industry: consumer behavior and perceptions. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 2021; 8 (1):1-11.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tony R. Walker; Eamonn McGuinty; Sylvain Charlebois; Janet Music. 2021. "Single-use plastic packaging in the Canadian food industry: consumer behavior and perceptions." Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 8, no. 1: 1-11.

Review article
Published: 20 January 2021 in Environmental Challenges
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The growing visibility of plastic pollution, particularly negative environmental impacts of single-use plastic bags, has entered the political debate, triggering policy interventions to control its manufacturing and use. This trend was also felt in Southern Africa, a region with high urbanization, leading to increased resource use and plastic consumption, heavily reliant on tourism, an industry highly impacted by plastic pollution. This paper reviews existing single-use plastic bag reduction policies in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). All 16 SADC members have announced a plastic bag reduction policy, but interventions vary in stages of implementation. Waste management emerged as the most important policy driver and over 55% of SADC members adopted a top-down approach in developing these policies to address these environmental challenges. Most SADC members with existing policies did not conduct public awareness campaigns, raising effectiveness issues. Further research on effective plastic bag reduction policy development, enforcement and monitoring would address an important knowledge gap.

ACS Style

Joana Carlos Bezerra; Tony Robert Walker; C Andrea Clayton; Issahaku Adam. Single-use plastic bag policies in the Southern African development community. Environmental Challenges 2021, 3, 100029 .

AMA Style

Joana Carlos Bezerra, Tony Robert Walker, C Andrea Clayton, Issahaku Adam. Single-use plastic bag policies in the Southern African development community. Environmental Challenges. 2021; 3 ():100029.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Joana Carlos Bezerra; Tony Robert Walker; C Andrea Clayton; Issahaku Adam. 2021. "Single-use plastic bag policies in the Southern African development community." Environmental Challenges 3, no. : 100029.

Article commentary
Published: 04 January 2021 in Environmental Science & Technology
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ACS Style

Tony R. Walker; Deirdre C. McKay. Comment on “Five Misperceptions Surrounding the Environmental Impacts of Single-Use Plastic”. Environmental Science & Technology 2021, 55, 1339 -1340.

AMA Style

Tony R. Walker, Deirdre C. McKay. Comment on “Five Misperceptions Surrounding the Environmental Impacts of Single-Use Plastic”. Environmental Science & Technology. 2021; 55 (2):1339-1340.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tony R. Walker; Deirdre C. McKay. 2021. "Comment on “Five Misperceptions Surrounding the Environmental Impacts of Single-Use Plastic”." Environmental Science & Technology 55, no. 2: 1339-1340.

Journal article
Published: 10 December 2020 in Environmental Geotechnics
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A field sampling program was undertaken to assess the variability of physical characteristics of contaminated sediments in a large (160 ha) effluent stabilization lagoon. The objective of this paper is to use this “field lab” as a basis for comparing different sampling techniques (i.e. discrete and composite) for remediation-based evaluations (i.e. sediment volume estimates and bench scale dewatering studies). The distribution of sediment thickness measured throughout the lagoon by gravity core sampling is presented for context. Selected gravity core sediment samples are evaluated with respect to physical property (water/solids content, bulk density, and particle size) variability in both the vertical (i.e. within a single gravity core) and spatial directions (among gravity cores). Composite samples created via homogenization of a single entire gravity core is performed to compare to the discrete and average physical properties of a nearby gravity core. Vacuum-based samples are also compared to gravity core samples in terms of particle size. It is demonstrated that by understanding sediment variability, composite samples can be shown to be an efficient method of obtaining representative samples. When large samples for dewatering trials are required, vacuum sampling can produce samples with similar mean particles size to discrete and composite samples.

ACS Style

Masoumeh Alimohammadi; Hayden Tackley; Baillie Holmes; Kirklyn Davidson; Craig B Lake; Ian S Spooner; Rob C Jamieson; Tony R Walker. Characterising sediment physical property variability for bench-scale dewatering purposes. Environmental Geotechnics 2020, 1 -9.

AMA Style

Masoumeh Alimohammadi, Hayden Tackley, Baillie Holmes, Kirklyn Davidson, Craig B Lake, Ian S Spooner, Rob C Jamieson, Tony R Walker. Characterising sediment physical property variability for bench-scale dewatering purposes. Environmental Geotechnics. 2020; ():1-9.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Masoumeh Alimohammadi; Hayden Tackley; Baillie Holmes; Kirklyn Davidson; Craig B Lake; Ian S Spooner; Rob C Jamieson; Tony R Walker. 2020. "Characterising sediment physical property variability for bench-scale dewatering purposes." Environmental Geotechnics , no. : 1-9.

Preprint
Published: 30 November 2020 in SSRN Electronic Journal
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During the COVID-19 pandemic the world has rightly focused on controlling spread of the virus. This includes the widespread use of personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE includes use of disposal plastic face masks and gloves (Scientific American, 2020). However, PPE use during the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an estimated global use of 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves every month. Much of this PPE ends up as mismanaged waste, resulting in widespread environmental contamination posing risks to public and environmental health. Concerns over the survival of the virus on contaminated surfaces has also triggered the reversal of policies to reduce single-use plastics in some regions. Whilst plastics have undoubtably helped in the prevention of COVID-19 transmission, the sudden increase in plastic waste due to the COVID-19 pandemic underlines the crucial need for innovation for sustainable plastic alternatives and to reinforce single-use plastic reduction policies.

ACS Style

Tony Walker. COVID-19 Plastic Pollution Pandemic. SSRN Electronic Journal 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Tony Walker. COVID-19 Plastic Pollution Pandemic. SSRN Electronic Journal. 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tony Walker. 2020. "COVID-19 Plastic Pollution Pandemic." SSRN Electronic Journal , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 16 November 2020 in Marine Pollution Bulletin
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Caribbean economies depend heavily on a healthy marine ecosystem, but the region includes ten of the top global marine polluters per capita. Regional marine pollution is driven by illegal plastic waste dumping due to poor waste management systems with limited recycling, and weak enforcement. Governments recognize the impacts of marine debris on their social and economic well-being and have responded with policies to curb plastic pollution. Most focus on bans of single-use plastic and polystyrene, which comprises ~80% of Caribbean marine litter. However, there is little comparative analysis of policy responses to determine their efficacy. This paper reviews current policies in 13 English-speaking Caribbean countries, exploring tools used and process of implementation. Eleven have introduced legislative policies, with seven including fines and penalties for non-compliance. All successful policies involve multiple tools, including primary stakeholder engagement, sufficient lead time between policy announcement and implementation, and extensive public education campaigns.

ACS Style

C. Andrea Clayton; Tony R. Walker; Joana Carlos Bezerra; Issahaku Adam. Policy responses to reduce single-use plastic marine pollution in the Caribbean. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2020, 162, 111833 .

AMA Style

C. Andrea Clayton, Tony R. Walker, Joana Carlos Bezerra, Issahaku Adam. Policy responses to reduce single-use plastic marine pollution in the Caribbean. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2020; 162 ():111833.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C. Andrea Clayton; Tony R. Walker; Joana Carlos Bezerra; Issahaku Adam. 2020. "Policy responses to reduce single-use plastic marine pollution in the Caribbean." Marine Pollution Bulletin 162, no. : 111833.

Review
Published: 02 November 2020 in The ISME Journal
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It is now indisputable that plastics are ubiquitous and problematic in ecosystems globally. Many suggestions have been made about the role that biofilms colonizing plastics in the environment—termed the “Plastisphere”—may play in the transportation and ecological impact of these plastics. By collecting and re-analyzing all raw 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metadata from 2,229 samples within 35 studies, we have performed the first meta-analysis of the Plastisphere in marine, freshwater, other aquatic (e.g., brackish or aquaculture) and terrestrial environments. We show that random forest models can be trained to differentiate between groupings of environmental factors as well as aspects of study design, but—crucially—also between plastics when compared with control biofilms and between different plastic types and community successional stages. Our meta-analysis confirms that potentially biodegrading Plastisphere members, the hydrocarbonoclastic Oceanospirillales and Alteromonadales are consistently more abundant in plastic than control biofilm samples across multiple studies and environments. This indicates the predilection of these organisms for plastics and confirms the urgent need for their ability to biodegrade plastics to be comprehensively tested. We also identified key knowledge gaps that should be addressed by future studies.

ACS Style

Robyn J. Wright; Morgan G. I. Langille; Tony R. Walker. Food or just a free ride? A meta-analysis reveals the global diversity of the Plastisphere. The ISME Journal 2020, 15, 789 -806.

AMA Style

Robyn J. Wright, Morgan G. I. Langille, Tony R. Walker. Food or just a free ride? A meta-analysis reveals the global diversity of the Plastisphere. The ISME Journal. 2020; 15 (3):789-806.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Robyn J. Wright; Morgan G. I. Langille; Tony R. Walker. 2020. "Food or just a free ride? A meta-analysis reveals the global diversity of the Plastisphere." The ISME Journal 15, no. 3: 789-806.

Review
Published: 13 October 2020 in Remediation Journal
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Boat Harbour, located in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Canada has been receiving industrial effluent wastewater from a nearby kraft pulp mill and chlor‐alkali plant for over 50 years. Before receiving industrial effluent wastewater, the tidal estuary was culturally significant to the nearby Pictou Landing First Nation community. The tidal estuary was known for its medicinal, recreational, ceremonial, and subsistence functions. Formally a 140‐ha natural tidal estuary, raw industrial wastewater was discharged into Boat Harbour beginning in 1967. Since inception, effluent treatment has undergone several upgrades in aeration capacity within the Boat Harbour Effluent Treatment Facility (BHETF) until the cessation of effluent discharge in 2020. Fifty years of industrial wastewater effluent discharge has resulted in widespread inorganic and organic contamination of unconsolidated sediments and surface water. Primary contaminants of concern include metals, dioxins and furans, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The province of Nova Scotia has committed to the remediation of the BHETF, estimated to cost over $292 million CAD. The goal of the remediation program is to return Boat Harbour to its natural state as a tidal estuary to restore the historical, traditional, and recreational uses of the land. Remediation components and alternatives were rated based on technical (26%), environmental (24%), economic (22%), social (14%), and regulatory (14%) weighted indicators. Criteria weighting for the five indicator categories was determined collaboratively with stakeholders. For each design component of remediation, a list of approaches was developed along with subsequent alternatives. Approaches and alternatives were screened to eliminate options that were not technically feasible or did not align with remediation goals. The remaining feasible concepts underwent detailed review and evaluation to select Qualified Remedial Options to be shared with stakeholders for input.

ACS Style

Lyndsay Eichinger; Tony R. Walker. Review of remedial options for the Boat Harbour remediation project in Nova Scotia, Canada. Remediation Journal 2020, 31, 91 -104.

AMA Style

Lyndsay Eichinger, Tony R. Walker. Review of remedial options for the Boat Harbour remediation project in Nova Scotia, Canada. Remediation Journal. 2020; 31 (1):91-104.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lyndsay Eichinger; Tony R. Walker. 2020. "Review of remedial options for the Boat Harbour remediation project in Nova Scotia, Canada." Remediation Journal 31, no. 1: 91-104.

Case report
Published: 09 September 2020 in Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering
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Bioavailable metal(loid)s in aquatic ecosystems pose potential ecological risks to aquatic organisms. In situ passive sampling using diffusive gradient thin (DGT) films is an effective technique to measure bioavailable contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. Contaminated sediments impacted by industrial effluents in Nova Scotia, Canada are poised for remediation following detailed site characterization. This study explored used DGTs to measure bioavailable contaminants at the sediment/water interface to inform potential ecological risk. Eighty DGTs discs were deployed in one marine and three freshwater sites. DGTs were used to measure metal(loid), total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations within 5 cm of the sediment/water interface in marine and freshwater sites to help with site characterization. Of eighty discs, forty contained chelex binding gel (for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn analysis) and forty contained 3-mercaptopropyl-functionalized silica (MFS) binding gel for THg and MeHg analysis. Bioavailable metal(loid) and THg concentrations were low and MeHg concentrations were below detection levels across all sites. Results suggest that ecological risk to aquatic organisms is low. Use of in situ passive sampling techniques may help inform risk management decision making during remediation planning.

ACS Style

Meenakshi Chaudhary; Meaghan Quanz; Jim Williams; Ella Maltby; Ken Oakes; Ian Spooner; Tony R. Walker. Assessment of metal(loid) concentrations using diffusive gradient thin (DGT) films in marine, freshwater and wetland aquatic ecosystems impacted by industrial effluents. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering 2020, 2, 100041 .

AMA Style

Meenakshi Chaudhary, Meaghan Quanz, Jim Williams, Ella Maltby, Ken Oakes, Ian Spooner, Tony R. Walker. Assessment of metal(loid) concentrations using diffusive gradient thin (DGT) films in marine, freshwater and wetland aquatic ecosystems impacted by industrial effluents. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering. 2020; 2 ():100041.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Meenakshi Chaudhary; Meaghan Quanz; Jim Williams; Ella Maltby; Ken Oakes; Ian Spooner; Tony R. Walker. 2020. "Assessment of metal(loid) concentrations using diffusive gradient thin (DGT) films in marine, freshwater and wetland aquatic ecosystems impacted by industrial effluents." Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering 2, no. : 100041.

Journal article
Published: 08 August 2020 in Marine Policy
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Mismanaged plastic land-based waste entering the marine environment is a growing problem globally. Plastic bag reduction policies have been widely adopted in Africa but are mainly punitive outright legislative bans. Limited evidence exists that document effectiveness of these legislative bans on curbing plastic marine pollution in Africa. In May 2019, the Nigerian government passed the Plastic Bags Prohibition Bill (Bill) which proposed to prohibit the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging. The Bill proposed by the Nigerian government mirrors punitive legislation prevalent elsewhere across Africa. Legislative tools used internationally were compared to the proposed Nigerian Bill and limitations identified. We highlight how the Bill can be redrafted to reflect national policy to improve ocean management. Redrafting the Bill should include proactive measures, such as market-based instruments, proper planning, coordination, implementation and enforcement before final enactment into law.

ACS Style

Ndubuisi Nwafor; Tony R. Walker. Plastic Bags Prohibition Bill: A developing story of crass legalism aiming to reduce plastic marine pollution in Nigeria. Marine Policy 2020, 120, 104160 .

AMA Style

Ndubuisi Nwafor, Tony R. Walker. Plastic Bags Prohibition Bill: A developing story of crass legalism aiming to reduce plastic marine pollution in Nigeria. Marine Policy. 2020; 120 ():104160.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ndubuisi Nwafor; Tony R. Walker. 2020. "Plastic Bags Prohibition Bill: A developing story of crass legalism aiming to reduce plastic marine pollution in Nigeria." Marine Policy 120, no. : 104160.

Article
Published: 18 July 2020 in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
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Ecological risk assessment (ERA) is used to determine potential effect of human activities and industries on the natural environment. Numerous ERA management approaches exist and vary based on jurisdiction or ecological media. This ERA focused on contaminants within an aquatic ecosystem in sediments and surface water at South Baymouth port facility in Ontario, Canada. Contaminants were evaluated using the Canada-Ontario Decision-Making Framework for Assessment of Great Lakes Contaminated Sediments (COA). Following COA, this study (1) examined historical data from South Baymouth to determine contaminants of potential concern, (2) delineated potential contamination by comparing sediment and surface water concentration data to sediment quality guidelines and water quality guidelines from Canada and from different jurisdictions if Canadian guidelines were unavailable, (3) compared sediment concentrations to reference concentrations, and (4) developed an ERA decision matrix (used to inform management decisions at this aquatic site). Although sediments exhibited negligible potential for ecological risk and required no remedial management action, this case study highlights strengths of using COA for this ERA which included use of iterative and consistent approaches, but also highlights weaknesses which included unclear linkages between cause and effects of aquatic contaminants. Recommendations for future ERAs at contaminated aquatic sites include use of passive samplers and incorporating recent macroecology techniques.

ACS Style

Meaghan Quanz; Rob Willis; Darin Burr; Renee Recoskie; Tony R. Walker. Aquatic ecological risk assessment frameworks in Canada: a case study using a single framework in South Baymouth, Ontario, Canada. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2020, 192, 1 -15.

AMA Style

Meaghan Quanz, Rob Willis, Darin Burr, Renee Recoskie, Tony R. Walker. Aquatic ecological risk assessment frameworks in Canada: a case study using a single framework in South Baymouth, Ontario, Canada. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 2020; 192 (8):1-15.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Meaghan Quanz; Rob Willis; Darin Burr; Renee Recoskie; Tony R. Walker. 2020. "Aquatic ecological risk assessment frameworks in Canada: a case study using a single framework in South Baymouth, Ontario, Canada." Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 192, no. 8: 1-15.

Short communication
Published: 13 June 2020 in Marine Pollution Bulletin
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A bleached kraft pulp mill operating in Nova Scotia, Canada has discharged effluent into a former tidal estuary known as Boat Harbour since 1967. After treatment in Boat Harbour, effluent is discharged into Northumberland Strait. Contaminated sediments in Boat Harbour are slated for remediation following cessation of effluent discharge. A review of historical documents to identify contaminants in marine biota in Northumberland Strait found insufficient data to properly assess baseline conditions prior to remediation. This study measured metal, methylmercury, dioxin and furan concentrations in surficial sediments and American lobster (Homarus americanus), rock crabs (Cancer irroratus) and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) in Northumberland Strait. When compared to Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment sediment quality guidelines and Canadian Food Inspection Agency tissue guidelines results indicated limited contamination in sediments and biota, posing low risk to marine biota. Long-term monitoring is recommended to verify effectiveness of remediation.

ACS Style

Meenakshi Chaudhary; Tony R. Walker; Rob Willis; Ken Oakes. Baseline characterization of sediments and marine biota near industrial effluent discharge in Northumberland Strait, Nova Scotia, Canada. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2020, 157, 111372 .

AMA Style

Meenakshi Chaudhary, Tony R. Walker, Rob Willis, Ken Oakes. Baseline characterization of sediments and marine biota near industrial effluent discharge in Northumberland Strait, Nova Scotia, Canada. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2020; 157 ():111372.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Meenakshi Chaudhary; Tony R. Walker; Rob Willis; Ken Oakes. 2020. "Baseline characterization of sediments and marine biota near industrial effluent discharge in Northumberland Strait, Nova Scotia, Canada." Marine Pollution Bulletin 157, no. : 111372.

Short review
Published: 30 May 2020 in Resources, Conservation and Recycling
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Marine plastic pollution needs to be addressed by insurance contracting. Marine insurance policies should factor in liability for marine plastic pollution, marine clean-up and conservation. Most insurers exclude plastic pollution from covered risks/events. Innovative insurers to create insurance products that cover liability claims for plastic pollution. Persons with insurable interests to take out insurance policies to protect against categories of risk involving marine plastic pollution and environmental conservation.

ACS Style

Ndubuisi. A Nwafor; Tony R. Walker. Rethinking marine insurance and plastic pollution: food for thought. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2020, 161, 104950 .

AMA Style

Ndubuisi. A Nwafor, Tony R. Walker. Rethinking marine insurance and plastic pollution: food for thought. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2020; 161 ():104950.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ndubuisi. A Nwafor; Tony R. Walker. 2020. "Rethinking marine insurance and plastic pollution: food for thought." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 161, no. : 104950.

Short communication
Published: 20 May 2020 in Waste Management
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Millions of tonnes of virgin (primary) plastic are produced annually, while recoverable (secondary) plastic rapidly accumulates as waste in landfills and the environment. Single-use plastics (SUPs) have short lifespans, and most of this waste is generated by packaging from global food industries. Food packaging waste comprises approximately one-third (8 million tonnes) of all Canadian municipal solid waste, and only 20% is recovered for reuse or recycling. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) strategies leverage corporate resources to reduce SUP waste generated by consumers. Implementation of EPR strategies allows local jurisdictions to gain greater control over their waste streams. Although Canada has had a national EPR strategy since 2009, it is currently only implemented for packaging in five provinces (e.g., British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Québec), and is currently under development in New Brunswick. In this short communication, a case example of EPR implementation in Nova Scotia is provided which highlights the potential economic benefits for municipalities ($14–17 M CAD in estimated savings), for improved solid waste management and for increasing recycling rates. Further, a regional EPR strategy is recommended for all Atlantic Canadian provinces (e.g., Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia) now that the Canadian federal government has announced a move towards zero plastic waste under the Ocean Plastics Charter.

ACS Style

Avalon Diggle; Tony R. Walker. Implementation of harmonized Extended Producer Responsibility strategies to incentivize recovery of single-use plastic packaging waste in Canada. Waste Management 2020, 110, 20 -23.

AMA Style

Avalon Diggle, Tony R. Walker. Implementation of harmonized Extended Producer Responsibility strategies to incentivize recovery of single-use plastic packaging waste in Canada. Waste Management. 2020; 110 ():20-23.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Avalon Diggle; Tony R. Walker. 2020. "Implementation of harmonized Extended Producer Responsibility strategies to incentivize recovery of single-use plastic packaging waste in Canada." Waste Management 110, no. : 20-23.

Review
Published: 04 March 2020 in Maritime Policy & Management
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Maritime ports play a pivotal role in facilitating trade, serving as key nodes in global transport chains. Competitive pressure exists for port managers and operators to search for ways to deliver consistent improvements in productivity and profitability. Additionally, external effects associated with port activities have been given more attention in recent years, thus favouring a holistic integration of sustainability into port planning and operations. In this process, factors driving ports to become more sustainable need to be examined. This study, which is based on a systematic review of literature published since 1987, synthesizes various research perspectives for corporate sustainability drivers in maritime ports using the lens of stakeholder theory. Thirty drivers of corporate sustainability were identified, classified into 10 main drivers and further grouped into five clusters, serving as the basis for development of a multi-stakeholder perspective. This study also discusses examples of actions taken by ports in response to perspectives of various stakeholders using selected case examples from existing literature. This study provides an understanding of how decisions for adopting corporate sustainability are motivated in ports according to a multi-stakeholder perspective, and highlights how ports have responded to shifts through developing and implementing sustainability strategies using global case examples.

ACS Style

Mehrnaz Ashrafi; Tony R. Walker; Gregory M. Magnan; Michelle Adams; Michele Acciaro. A review of corporate sustainability drivers in maritime ports: a multi-stakeholder perspective. Maritime Policy & Management 2020, 47, 1027 -1044.

AMA Style

Mehrnaz Ashrafi, Tony R. Walker, Gregory M. Magnan, Michelle Adams, Michele Acciaro. A review of corporate sustainability drivers in maritime ports: a multi-stakeholder perspective. Maritime Policy & Management. 2020; 47 (8):1027-1044.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mehrnaz Ashrafi; Tony R. Walker; Gregory M. Magnan; Michelle Adams; Michele Acciaro. 2020. "A review of corporate sustainability drivers in maritime ports: a multi-stakeholder perspective." Maritime Policy & Management 47, no. 8: 1027-1044.