PhD Defense - Biotechnology: Brant Muir

You are invited to attend the Biotechnology PhD Dissertation Defense of Brant Muir, Biotechnology Doctoral Candidate
on Wednesday May 20, 2026 at 9:30 am in ATAC 1007 and zoom

Title: Bioretention for Fish Habitat Protection: Treatment Performance and Spatial Prioritization in a Cold Climate

Rainwater and snowmelt flowing off roads and urban areas carry pollutants into urban streams, where they can harm fish and other aquatic life. This dissertation examined whether bioretention systems, also known as rain gardens, can help protect fish habitat in two urban Lake Superior tributaries by capturing and filtering stormwater before it enters nearby streams. The research also proposed an integrated approach to urban stream restoration that combines stream habitat restoration, stormwater management, and urban planning. Field studies in Thunder Bay, Ontario, showed that bioretention systems reduced runoff volumes, and concentrations of sediment, and sediment-bound pollutants during both rainfall and spring snowmelt events. Winter monitoring also showed that roadside snowbanks contained much higher concentrations of pollutants than nearby undisturbed snow, highlighting the impacts of winter road maintenance on urban runoff quality. While the bioretention systems were effective at reducing sediment concentrations and runoff volumes during both rainfall events and the spring melt, they were less effective at removing road salt and nutrients, suggesting that additional practices, such as reduced salt and fertilizer applications, are also needed. This research also developed a practical framework that combines stormwater quality information with stream habitat assessments to identify locations where stormwater treatment systems would provide the greatest benefit to sensitive fish habitats. Overall, this dissertation demonstrates how combining stormwater engineering, fish habitat considerations, and watershed planning can improve the health and resilience of northern urban streams that support cold-water fish species such as brook and rainbow trout.

Committee Members:
Dr. Robert Stewart (supervisor), Dr. Michael Rennie, Dr. Jennifer Drake, Dr. Randall Kolka and Dr. Usman Khan (external)

Everyone is welcome.

Please contact Brenda Magajna at phd.ses@lakeheadu.ca form more information.