Research

Research Infrastructures

Aquatic Bio-optics and Biogeochemistry Laboratory


The Aquatic Bio-optics and Biogeochemistry Laboratory enables researchers to study the effects of climate change and permafrost thawing on lake water transparency and mixing dynamics and their multiple impacts on the microbial food chain, greenhouse gas emissions, and oxythermal habitat. Research at the Aquatic Bio-Optics and Biogeochemistry Laboratory also focuses on developing optical equipment for early detection of algal and cyanobacterial blooms and other problems related to water browning.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Québec, Québec
Contact person
Isabelle Laurion, Professeure
isabelle.laurion@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-2694
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 1: Water needs and uses of cities
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 2: Water uses for primary production
More info de Aquatic Bio-optics and Biogeochemistry Laboratory

CIRSA Experimental Station of the Sainte-Marguerite River


The station is located 10 km north of Sacré-Coeur, near the Ste-Marguerite River, a tributary of the Saguenay. The station is used for training in hydrometry, geomorphology, ecology and research in hydrology and fish habitats. The scientific equipment includes: a weather station, a water temperature monitoring station in the Ste-Marguerite River, an ADCP measuring the flow from May to November in the Ste-Marguerite River. Users also have access to mobile ADCPs (Sontek M9 and Teledyne Streampro), electric fishermen, thermographs and turbidimeters. The facilities include a laboratory area, a chalet with a classroom for 30 people, a dormitory for 35 people, a kitchen / cafeteria and a sanitary area with showers. She is in operation from May to November. The station belongs to the Interuniversity Center for Research on Atlantic Salmon (CIRSA) and is managed by the INRS.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Sacré-Cœur-sur-le-Fjord, Québec
Contact person
André St-Hilaire, Professor
andre.st-hilaire@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-3113
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 2: Hydrometeorological regime under climate
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 3: Flow rates and water levels
More info de CIRSA Experimental Station of the Sainte-Marguerite River

Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry laboratory


Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry laboratoryThe laboratory is equipped with a four-laser LSRFortessa cytometer that allows high-level multiparametric analyzes to characterize cell populations. A BD FACS Calibur two-laser cytometer is used to perform routine analyzes such as the expression of surface markers. The Zeiss LSM780 confocal microscopy system is a state-of-the-art instrument for the study of various cellular and subcellular biological processes such as intracellular trafficking and localization of pathogen molecules.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Laval, Québec
Contact person
Albert Descoteaux, Professor
albert.descoteaux@iaf.inrs.ca, 450 687-5010, ext. 4465
Associated axes :
  • Transversal axis: Governance and management
    Theme 2: Risks and disrupters of governance
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 1: Water needs and uses of cities
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 2: Water uses for primary production
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 3: Water use in secondary production
More info de Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry laboratory

Drone environmental remote sensing laboratory (TED)


Processing and analysis of earth observation images in order to map and model environmental phenomena in the context of climate change. The research team in Environmental and NORdic Remote Sensing (TENOR) works on the development and application of digital approaches and the development of analysis and decision support tools applicable to various contexts by calling upon particularly in hydro-informatics, geomatics and remote sensing. The Environmental Remote Sensing by Drones (TED) laboratory includes different types of drones and a wide range of sensors: two hyperspectral cameras (400-1700 nm), a thermal infrared camera, a multispectral camera with interchangeable filters and a digital camera. The TENOR team also has a computer laboratory equipped with software specialized in image processing and geomatics, as well as field instrumentation (georadar, snow and ice corers, hydrometeorological sensors, etc.) necessary for the development and validation of algorithms.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Québec (Québec)
Contact person
Monique Bernier, Professor
monique.bernier@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-2585
Associated axis :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 2: Hydrometeorological regime under climate
More info de Drone environmental remote sensing laboratory (TED)

Geotech 605 specialized drilling rig for the characterization of aquifers


The main equipment for characterizing the physical and geochemical properties of aquifers is a specialized Geotech 605 drilling rig. With the data collected, it is possible to model the flow of water and the transport of contaminants in aquifers. It is also possible to assess the vulnerability of aquifers to contamination, to determine the most suitable protection methods and methods of exploitation for sustainable management of the groundwater resource. This crawler drill has a real-time recording system of mechanical and electrical soil responses. It also allows soil or groundwater sampling by installing observation wells. The system has two drilling heads, one for drilling by penetration (cone penetration) in loose deposits, and another equipped with a hydraulic hammer for rotary impact drilling up to 50 m in rock and loose deposits according to the conditions.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Quebec City (Québec) et mobile
Contact person
René Lefebvre, Professeur
rene.lefebvre@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-2651
Associated axis :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
More info de Geotech 605 specialized drilling rig for the characterization of aquifers

Geothermal Open Laboratory


The research conducted at the Geothermal Open Laboratory is aimed at gaining better understanding of underground heat transfer and flow phenomena for reducing technical risks of geothermal energy. It is an open access laboratory, modeled after open-source software.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Québec, Québec
Contact person
Félix-Antoine Comeau, Responsable du laboratoire
felix-antoine.comeau@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-2652
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 2: Hydrometeorological regime under climate
More info de Geothermal Open Laboratory

Laboratory of hydraulic management of drinking water distribution networks


This laboratory consists of a physical model of a municipal drinking water distribution network aimed at better management of these networks. The infrastructure replicates a typical sector of a municipal drinking water system. The pipes are about 2/3 of the actual diameter and pressure of a real network. The network is equipped with numerous sensors (flow, pressure, conductivity), pressure regulators, isolation valves and faucets (to simulate water usage or leaks) that are all connected to a central computer system . The assembly is designed to be more versatile.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Québec, Québec
Contact person
Sophie Duchesne, Professor
patrick.drogui@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-3776
Associated axis :
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 1: Water needs and uses of cities
More info de Laboratory of hydraulic management of drinking water distribution networks

Mass spectrometer


A mass spectrometry service is offered to the scientific community for the identification of organic molecules, the analysis of natural products, the quantification of metabolites of pharmaceutical products, the analysis of trace pollutants, the determination of the molecular weight of proteins, the sequencing of peptides. The service includes, among others, a Micromass Quattro II triple quadrupole equipped with gas and liquid chromatography interfaces. It can be operated in positive and negative mode and carry out a mass scan up to 4000 m / z. The mass spectrometry service can perform a variety of MS / MS experiments such as daughter ion, parent ion and neutral fragment loss analysis. Various ionization modes such as electronic impact (EI), chemical ionization (CI), chemical ionization at atmospheric pressure (APCI), electrospray and nanospray can be used. It has an interface for gas chromatography with an HP 6890 gas chromatograph and an interface for HPLC HP 1100 liquid chromatography equipped with an automatic injector and a UV detector.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Québec
Contact person
Annie Castonguay, Responsable
annie.castonguay@inrs.ca, 450-687-5010, 8850
Associated axes :
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 1: Water needs and uses of cities
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 2: Water uses for primary production
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 3: Water use in secondary production
More info de Mass spectrometer

Transmission electron microscope


The service is able to meet several needs in the animal, plant or microbial fields, including: • Research and identification of viruses from all sources; • Research and identification (Gram-positive or Gram-negative) and description of bacteria from all sources • Research and identification of contaminants (eg mycoplasma) in clinical specimens or cell cultures • Immunoelectromicroscopy with or without colloidal gold on a liquid sample (negative staining) or on cell sections (pre- or post-embedding techniques) • Quality control of viral fractions of density gradients • Cell morphology on thin sections • Quantification of viruses (eg Retrovirus) using latex spheres of known concentration by negative staining. • Quality control of biological products released to municipal sewage • Research of Retrovirus in cells, identification and count of the proportion of infected cells (cell sections)

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Laval, Québec
Contact person
Charles Dozois, Professor
charles.dozois@iaf.inrs.ca, 450 687-5010, ext. 4388
Associated axes :
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 1: Water needs and uses of cities
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 2: Water uses for primary production
  • Axis Uses of water
    Theme 3: Water use in secondary production
  • Transversal axis: Governance and management
    Theme 2: Risks and disrupters of governance