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Special to the Chronicle Freshwater algae as a mirror of the past? According to a Univerâ€" sity of Waterloo profesâ€" sor, some types of algae can show us what was taking place in the environment years ago. Dr. Hamish Duthie, associate professor of biology and specialist in freshwater algae (there are over 2,000 types of algae in Canâ€" ada), is conducting reâ€" search on Canadian lakes and streams to find out how past changes in the environâ€" ment affected them. We are trying to separate natural changes from artificial changes in fresh water," says Duthie. The center of his attention are ‘‘diaâ€" toms‘‘â€"microscopic algae which are found in river and lake beds. The unique thing about these algae are their cell wall which is made up of a silicaâ€"like subâ€" stance. This glassy coating inhibits decay and as a result algae from centuries past can still be found in their original State. "since diatom algae are very sensitive to changes in acidity levels in water, they serve as excellent indiâ€" cators of what was going on in the environâ€" ment at a specific point in time," says the UW prof. Duthie and his assisâ€" tants are at present working on sediment core samples from lakes near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and from Kejimkugic park in Nova Scotia, to deâ€" termine whether acid rain is making these lakes more acidic. Once diatom from this sediment are isoâ€" lated, radiocarbon and date tests determine Algae reveal the past 1981 HONDA C70 the ‘go anywhere‘ Passport @ three speed transmission ©@ automatic clutch © push button electric start @ over 125 M.P.G. ‘ . IBD KING N. WATERLOO a84â€"1210 _ _ their age, and microâ€" scope counts determine their abundancy. To a trained eye, this inforâ€" mation can reveal marvels of the past. Diatom shows that the most remarkable shift of balance in our water took place apâ€" proximately 150 years ago, says Duthie. ‘‘This is when coloniâ€" zation of the Canadian frontier began. Soil from clearing the land was washed into river and lake systems creating a disturbance in the natural ecologiâ€" cal balance,"" he notes. ‘"*Modern day pollution has also taken its toll but the effects of this may take years to deâ€" termine. In Nova Scoâ€" tia, algae tests show little evidence of acid rain. This does not mean that the pollution doesn‘t exist, just that the water has been able to dilute it." Duthie has also been working on the ecologiâ€" cal impact of reserâ€" voirs. The building of dams increases the amount of phosphorous available for plant and animal life in the new reservoir. Phosphorous is an important nuâ€" trient which aids in the maintenance of plant and animal life and determines water qualâ€" ity. "If you can predict the phosphorous level when the reservoir is filled, you can predict the amount of food that will be available for plant and animal life and plan accordingly," says Duthie. Trees and soil vary in the amount of phosâ€" phorous they contain. Some reservoirs will be built in low phosphoâ€" rous areas while others will be built in regions which yield a high level. The flow of water also has an effect on includes lic., tax, etc. ‘"‘The faster the flow of water, the less effect the phosphorous will have," he says. This diatom algae, enlarged 1500 times, can reveal a water body‘s past history, according to UW professor Dr. Hamish Duthie. the amount of phospho rous available. Duthie‘s ideas develâ€" oped at Churchill Falls, Labrador, have been applied to reservoirs at James Bay, and in Europe, South America and Africa. His work is sponâ€" sored by the Natural Sciences and Engineerâ€" ing Research Council and the National Water Institute. Volunteers wanted Volunteer help is needed for a senior citizens program called Project R.A.LS.E. (Retiree‘s Assisting In Serving Each Other). Duties of the volunâ€" teers will include visitâ€" ing a senior for friendly calls, phoning, or supâ€" plying occasional transportation. For more informaâ€" tion and an interview call Project Coâ€"Ordinaâ€" tor Maureen R. Sheaâ€" han at 745â€"6891. 899"° SPECIAL LOSE 20â€"25 LBS. IN JUST ONE MONTH PROFESSIONAL ?‘; WEIGHT CONTROL to / p m MONDAY MASTER CHARLGE V We Determine That You Lose 20â€"25 lbs. in Just One Month! HOW? Professional Supervision is the Key. You can, with our professional help safely remove 20â€"25 pounds a month, individual supervision keeps it off for life! Let us tell you how PRA Y THE NEW QUICK WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM: NO INJECTIONS â€" NO EXERCISING NO PREPACKAGED FOODS NO DECISIONS & GUESSWORK VITAMIN & MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS EAT REGULAR FOOD & LOSE 3 TO 7 LBS. 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