Research Portal

Geoscience » Source Rock & Depositional Environment

2018 Nova Scotia-Morocco Conjugate Geochemistry Project

May 2017 – June 2019

The objective of this project is to examine geochemical data from offshore and onshore Morocco to determine the presence and characteristics of effective Jurassic oil-prone source rocks.

Geoscience » Source Rock & Depositional Environment

Attenuation of Petroleum Generation Characteristics by the Sulfurization of Organic Matter in Westphaflan Carboniferous Lacustrine Source Rocks (A Geochemical Study of Potential Marine Incursions)

October 2017 – May 2019

This project creates geochemical diagnostic tools that can be applied to potential source rocks of differing ages in the Maritimes Basin. These tools help build a more accurate interpretation of the evolution of the basin.

Turbine Wake Characterization

November 2017 – March 2019

Turbine wake characterization is a key endeavour to the development of in-stream tidal turbine arrays.  In a sense, a turbine’s footprint includes its wake, wherein flow speeds are less and turbulence is elevated compared to the ambient surroundings.  It is thus desired to not just delineate wake

Going with the Flow II: Using Drifters to Address Uncertainties in the Spatial Variation of Tidal Flows

October 2017 – June 2018

Drifters are one of the oldest, simplest and most reliable methods for measuring ocean currents. Drifters also provide a simple, low risk platform from which to gather acoustic information along flow streamlines or ‘drift tracks’.

Turbulence Dissipation Rates from Horizontal Velocity Profiles at Mid-Depth in Fast Tidal Flows

December 2017

This study characterizes the turbulence in a tidal channel in the Bay of Fundy that has been identified for development as a tidal power resource.

Geoscience » Source Rock & Depositional Environment

Mid Cretaceous Sand Supply to Offshore SW Nova Scotia: Tectonic Diversion of Labrador Rivers during Naskapi Member Deposition

September 2015 – September 2017

This study tests the hypothesis that tectonic diversion of Labrador rivers during the Aptian resulted in sand supply through the Bay of Fundy to the Shelburne sub-basin, allowing shales to accumulate farther east in the Scotian Basin.

Going with the Flow: Advancement of Drifting Platforms for use in Tidal Energy Site Assessment & Environmental Monitoring

April 2015 – August 2017

This research project aimed to apply a simple and low cost philosophy to ocean observation by developing an inexpensive low-profile surface drifter for use in initial assessment of potential tidal energy development opportunities.  The project addressed limitations in the existing drifter design

High-Resolution Numerical Model Resource Assessment of Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy

January 2017

Two numerical models developed by the Acadia Tidal Energy Institute are described. The models simulate the tidal flow in the Bay of Fundy, and in particular the Minas Passage. The models have different grid resolution, one suitable for site assessment and one suitable for resource assessment.

Numerical Modeling of Tidal Turbine Behaviour under Real Turbulent Tidal Flow Conditions

December 2015 – December 2016

Researchers investigated and numerically quantified the behaviour of a tidal turbine under turbulent unsteady tidal flow, using flow data collected in the lower Bay of Fundy (Digby area).

Characterizing Tidal Flows and Turbine Power Production in Petit Passage using Oceanographic and CFD Models

September 2015 – March 2016

The goal of this project was to identify potential turbine deployment locations in Petit Passage Nova Scotia, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite volume coastal ocean models (FVCOM).