After spending months analyzing water samples from 18 lakes in Haliburton County, student researcher Jacob Wyonch says he’s just scratching the surface on data he hopes will one day accurately portray the prevalence of microplastics in our waters.

In his first year of Trent University’s masters in environmental and life sciences graduate program, Wyonch has partnered with U-Links on the multi-year project. So far, he’s tested samples from spring and fall in 2022 and 2023, though plans to run data from the two seasons through to 2026.

An update on Wyonch’s progress will be shared at U-Links celebration of research, taking place March 29 at the Haliburton School of Art + Design.

Speaking with The Highlander this week, Wyonch said his work carries on from a prior U-Links project investigating surface water samples from Stocking, Kennisis, Paudash, Spruce and Wenona lakes. Other waterbodies, such as Haliburton Lake and Lake Kashagawigamog, have been added to his study to represent microplastic pollution in more populated areas.

“The idea is to understand how the connection between human presence and microplastics may change over time,” Wyonch said.

Microplastics are materials up to five millimetres long that have typically broken down from a larger product. Wyonch said there are two main categories – primary, which are bead-like components largely found in personal care and beauty products, and secondary, which are small fragments from things like plastic containers and construction materials.

They’re also distinguished by different plastic types, usually polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

“One of the reasons microplastics are so infamous right now is because when they break down to such a miniscule size, they’re often light enough for them to be carried through the atmosphere. That’s why we’re seeing reports of their presence in the Arctic and other very remote areas.”

Wyonch said preliminary results from 2022 and 2023 data show a median concentration of three microplastic particles per litre of surface water across the 18 lakes tested. The average size of microplastics found was about 1.5 millimetres.

Asked about the impacts on water quality and human health, Wyonch said that’s “complex” to determine. He cited studies that found some aquatic species becoming lethargic, displaying abnormal behaviour, and seeing changes to their immune system when exposed to different types and concentrations of microplastics.

“We can’t really subject humans to the same trials… but what we do know is microplastics are easily ingested and inhaled by humans and other large animals and frequent places like the brain, lungs and blood,” Wyonch said.

Some types of microplastics, especially older pieces, can bond with other contaminants, like pesticides, which can make them more dangerous, Wyonch added.

There were some anomalies in his data, notably a spring 2023 sample from Big Hawk Lake showing a concentration of about 13 particles per litre. The average of all other lakes that season was four.

“There could be multiple reasons for that – where you collect samples from makes a big difference. Microplastics tend to accumulate closer to the shore. On-water activities, like fishing, are big sources of microplastic pollution,” Wyonch said.

Eliminating the problem is largely impossible at this point, though Wyonch noted people can help limit further pollution by changing their consumption habits.

“Be conscious of your plastic use, recognize how much you use and then find alternatives, especially for single-use plastics. It’s those things that are most likely to find their way into our environment,” he said.

On the agenda

U-Links staffer Daniela Pagliaro said more than 30 students will be available this weekend to discuss their County-based projects with the public. Informative posters will be displayed in the HSAD great hall.

There will be two additional live presentations, by Ella Honey and Angus McBridge who analyzed light pollution on Paudash Lake, and Tully Privett on CanoeFM radio statistics.

A panel discussion on invasive species in Haliburton County is also scheduled, featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Pedro Antunes from Algoma University, students Kaleigh Mooney and Eric Sager, and Paul MacInnes of the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners’ Associations (CHA).

“They will discuss the threat of invasive species and what you can do to help,” said U-Links director Andy Gordon.

The celebration of research runs 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendance is free with a light lunch and refreshments served. Register online at ulinks.ca.

Haliburton Solar + Wind has moved from Abbey Gardens to a new home on Hwy. 35 in Minden.

Owner Carolina Barberi said, “it was about finding a central location for all the staff. We have staff that live as far away as Lindsay, and travelling to Abbey Gardens was just too far.

“Additionally, there was no storage at Abbey Gardens, so it made our ability to plan our projects a little bit more complicated.”

She said they had equipment stored at her home, the foreman’s home, and some on-site, which made coordinating difficult.”

Having the storage (at #12667 Hwy. 35 Minden, unit 2) is really important.”

Barberi said the other bonus is the exposure that comes with being located on a highway.

“Just for visibility … we’ve already had people just pop in randomly to ask questions, whereas at Abbey Gardens, unless you were at Abbey Gardens, people didn’t know we were there; after being there for 10 years, people still didn’t know we were there.”

Founder and former owner, Brian Nash, established Haliburton Solar + Wind in 2012 and moved the business to a custom-made building at Abbey Gardens in 2017. He sold to Barberi and Joel Ideson, master electrician, in 2021.

Ideson looks across the highway to the Hydro One depot, and jokes, “my biggest reason for being here? I can keep an eye on the competition.”

Comedy aside, Barberi added, “it made a lot of sense. We needed to have better exposure, have a central location to make planning for our projects easier. This is great. Say we were travelling to Dorset, and needed to fill the trucks with gas, we’d be asking ‘where is the nearest gas station?’ and having to travel back from Haliburton or Minden. Now, we have a gas station just up the highway. Logistically, this made sense.”

When Nash moved into Abbey Gardens, it was into a sustainably-built solar powered and off-grid building; the first of its kind at the time. The building showcased offgrid technologies on the Abbey Gardens property.

Ideson said it’s driving him crazy there are no solar panels at the new digs – yet. “My eventual goal is to have a full gridconnected demonstration because the industry has rapidly changed over the last three years or so. What we’re installing this year; we probably won’t install next year. It will be obsolete. The focus now is on grid-connected, basically energy reduced or load displacement. Using your own power, keeping grid in the background as needed, and also having the ability to discharge batteries based on time of use etc.”

He elaborates, “moving forward, that needs to be the central focus of the company. We’re still going to obviously do off-grid, but off-grid is becoming far more complicated with the increased size and loads people have.”

Barberi added, “what’s great about the hybrid model is it allows people the ability to live off-grid with the security of a backup.”

The former Algonquin Outfitters store has had a facelift, replete with new paint, and ceiling tiles. And while the space is new, Barberi said the goal remains the same.

“Always education; explaining to people what is available, and how it works. One of the biggest things with this industry is demystifying how it works. There’s a lot of people who don’t understand.”

She added with provincial grants announced this year, allowing up to $5,000 back on roof-mounted solar, and up to $5,000 for energy storage, now applying to any property, not just primary, they are getting inquiries.

Haliburton Solar and Wind is at #12667 Hwy. 35, unit 2. 705-455-2637.

The Dominion Hotel in Minden has been recognized for good food and outstanding customer experience by eviivo, an international cloud-based property booking and management platform.

Hotel owner Shawn Chamberlin said his establishment will be included in eviivo’s upcoming cookbook publication, Inspired Stays, Local Flavors.

The book was distributed internationally on Independent Accommodation Day (IAD), March 24.

Chamberlin said the book features best-loved recipes from independent hosts around the world.

Chamberlin added The Dominion Hotel has been the “hot spot” in downtown Minden since it first started providing food, drink, entertainment, and accommodation to travellers and locals in 1865.

It is the oldest business in Haliburton County and one of the oldest continually operating hotels in Canada.

“Indeed, this business predates Canada, having been opened two years before Confederation,” Chamberlin said.

As for the cookbook, he said their fish and chips is the featured entry.

“The decades-old recipe is simply made with the hotel’s own Dominion Hotel 1865 Lager and continues to be a best seller, especially on ‘Fish Friday’.”

Shawn and wife, Elli Chamberlin, said they were excited by the recognition.

“Our food quality and customer experience are top priorities. We’ve known the popularity of our fish and chips. It is so nice to be recognized for having our food and location included in this international cookbook,” Elli Chamberlin said.

Eviivo says it is, “a leading hospitality software company that provides independent accommodators a hassle-free booking and property management platform. With over 28,000 accommodations and 660,000 bookings per month, eviivo’s booking and property management platform is the preferred software for independent hotels, motels, B&Bs, vacation rentals, urban rentals, resorts, inns, and villas.”