Government of British Columbia

Abstract Large zones of advanced argillic alteration are unusual features in many porphyry deposits in British Columbia but occur, typically <10 km2, in several districts. In this study, mineral assemblages and compositions across zones that include advanced argillic alteration in three British Columbia mineral properties are characterized: Tanzilla, the Alunite Ridge, and Kemess North. Petrographic and short-wave infrared results show alteration zoning of mineral assemblages within and around zones of advanced argillic-altered rocks from distal green muscovite-chlorite to pale-green muscovite and to white muscovite-clay (kaolinite, dickite) assemblages proximal to a porphyry deposit. Similar zoning occurs from deep to shallow parts of a porphyry deposit. Aluminum-rich minerals such as andalusite, corundum, diaspore, and topaz, commonly with pyrophyllite and/or muscovite-kaolinite-dickite assemblages, occur within the central zones of advanced argillic alteration, with respect to the main upflow zone. The green and pale-green muscovites typically have phengitic compositions (Fe and Mg rich), whereas the white muscovite is Al rich. The alteration zonation is also mapped by whole-rock geochemical data using new K-Mg-Al molar and K/Rb-Al diagrams. An Na-Ca depletion index correlates with the mapped alteration mineralogy. Cathodoluminescence indicates that disseminated, residual, and recrystallized quartz within more central parts of advanced argillic alteration displays red luminescence and typically occurs with blue luminescent pyrophyllite and clays. Two trace element indices, MPIx (MDRU porphyry index, Mineral Deposit Research Unit) and MPIx-Lateral, compare trace elements occurring above porphyry deposits to those concentrated at depth or distally to provide vertical and lateral mineralization footprints. These observations provide a tool set that can compare prospects in a district, identify the size and level of exposure of the mineralized centers, and aid rapid and cost-effective exploration vectoring for porphyry copper and related epithermal mineralization within and around advanced argillic-altered rocks in British Columbia and elsewhere.

Antimicrobial use (AMU) in finfish aquaculture production raises concerns about the link between AMU and the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria found in aquatic organisms and potential transmission to humans and the environment. The objective of this study was to describe the antimicrobial susceptibilities of a historical collection of bacterial isolates from diagnostic submissions from farmed finfish in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Antimicrobial susceptibility data were obtained from the BC Ministry of Agriculture via submissions to the Animal Health Centre for 2007 to 2018 for florfenicol (FLOR), oxytetracycline (OXY), trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (SXT), and triple-sulfa compound (TRI). There were 1237 unique isolates from all finfish species (68 unique bacterial species), of which 1042 were from Atlantic salmon. For all fish species, the most common bacterial species isolated were Aeromonas salmonicida (n = 174), Aliivibrio wodanis (n = 84), and Yersinia ruckeri (n = 79). Resistance was detected to most antimicrobials tested, but levels were generally low. Resistance to FLOR was only detected in A. salmonicida. Low annual isolate numbers precluded genera-specific annual comparisons for all pathogens. Multi-drug resistance was detected, but at low levels. These results provide an important baseline for antimicrobial susceptibility data from bacterial isolates that may cause disease in finfish aquaculture in BC, Canada that will support future Canadian AMR surveillance in farmed aquaculture.

Abstract Understanding how anthropogenic disturbances compound with natural stressors to influence wildlife survival, particularly during vulnerable life stages, is critical for conserving biodiversity and informing management decisions. Juveniles can be sensitive to disturbances, which possibly reduce their survival and lead to population declines. We monitored survival of 180 juvenile moose Alces alces from capture (7–8 months old) to recruitment at 18 months old in two anthropogenically disturbed systems in western Canada, where population declines coincided with extensive salvage logging following an insect outbreak. We investigated how juvenile use of forest harvest features influenced their mortality risk, and whether this risk was modified by body condition, long‐term use of forest harvest features, forage availability, weather or predation risk from wolves Canis lupus and black bears Ursus americanus . Juvenile survivorship was 0.59 (95% CI = 0.51–0.67). Wolf predation accounted for 55.1% of mortalities, followed by bears (14.5%), humans (14.5%), health‐related (10.1%) and cougars ( Puma concolor ) (5.8%). Juvenile moose use of forest harvest features—new cutblocks (0–8 years since harvest; hazard ratio [HR] = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.02–1.64) and higher road densities (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.06–1.95)—reduced their survival, presumably from increased predator and hunter efficiency in these habitats. Older cutblocks did not impact juvenile survival (HR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.69–1.09). Forest harvest appears inherently risky, regardless of predation risk, forage, weather, juvenile condition and long‐term use. However, juveniles with more winter ticks, Dermacentor albipictus (HR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.08–1.73), and yearlings with lower weights at capture (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.18–0.61) had heightened mortality risk, likely from increased vulnerability to predation. Synthesis and applications . Anthropogenic disturbances, such as forest harvest, create risky landscapes for juveniles by increasing their vulnerability to predation and hunting, and when combined with natural stressors like parasitism, likely drive population declines. Managing landscapes with a species‐centric approach that addresses the cumulative effects of human and natural stressors is essential to mitigate adverse impacts from resource extraction and support wildlife populations.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that is connected to a range of gynecological symptoms. The disorder has both physical and mental health outcomes. While the physical symptoms are often expressed and diagnosed, the mental health outcomes are ignored and undiagnosed. To the best of our knowledge, in Bangladesh, although women are affected by the disease, research exploring the impact of digital health interventions on the mental health burden is scarce. Emerging evidence suggests that smartphone-based health education interventions could be helpful in alleviating the psychological burden associated with PCOS by improving awareness and self-management among patients. The aim of the study is to explore the impact of digital health education on the stress, anxiety, and depression levels among PCOS patients in Bangladesh. A single blinded, randomized controlled trial was being conducted at the Enayetpur of Sirajganj district at Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical College and Hospital. A total of 212 participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group in the study. The intervention group received PCOS related health education via a mobile application reinforced with app notifications and bi-monthly phone calls from the researcher. Baseline Data collection was completed in April 2025. Endline data collection started in November 2025. The intervention was a six-month intervention that ran from May to October. The primary outcome, depression, stress and anxiety was measured using the DASS21 questionnaire. The secondary outcomes were serum hormone levels (cortisol and testosterone), body mass index (BMI), and knowledge about PCOS. The baseline data collection was completed in April 2025. A total of 212 patient provided their consent to participate in the study. The participants were divided into groups of 106 individuals for the control and intervention groups. Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT2062240073), https://jrct.mhlw.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCT2062240073 and North South University Institutional Review Board approved this study (#2024/0RNSU/IRBII 002).

Root disease caused by the fungal pathogen, Armillaria solidipes, is commonly managed for in tree plantations of southeastern British Columbia by removing stumps before planting trees. The potential biocontrol, Hypholoma fasciculare, has been applied less commonly. We summarize the effects of mechanical stump removal and Hypholoma treatments on the development of 13 experimental conifer plantations aged 13–43 years consisting primarily of Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon), and western larch ( Larix occidentalis Nutt.). Generalized additive models were used in the Akaike information criterion model selection with response variables chronologized for each treatment unit: Armillaria incidence, survivorship, basal diameter, diameter at breast height, height, and basal area index. Stump removals reduced Armillaria incidence in the oldest stands from 3.3% to 1.1%, increased survivorship from 30.3% to 69.7%, and produced 1.72 times greater basal area index. Armillaria reduction with stump removals was greater on Douglas-fir and western larch. At year 21, Hypholoma reduced Armillaria occurrence by 2.1 percentage points, whereas stump removals decreased Armillaria by 1.7 percentage points. Treatment decisions need to weigh silvicultural gains with financial and environmental costs, while Hypholoma treatments warrant expanded research.

Abstract We describe a minimally invasive pilot study to characterize the microbiota of exhaled breath from wild Pacific white-sided dolphins. Samples were collected in a site that is far from any agriculture facilities or large human settlements but home to a high concentration of open-net aquaculture facilities for Atlantic salmon. This case study in pathogen surveillance in wild dolphins reveals a wide diversity of pathogens, including several with the potential to cross species and infect critically endangered killer whales, or humans. Common species are often neglected in funding strategies that prioritize species at imminent risk of extinction, but they may be a top priority for disease surveillance. One important cobenefit of integrating biodiversity monitoring in a One Health framework may be to support monitoring of both abundance and zoonotic potential of common species whose biomass alone makes them key players in ecosystem function.

Abstract Climate change generates considerable uncertainty about impacts, vulnerability, and broad‐scale change to society. While scientific consensus is well established, social consensus—on what the issues are, what it means for nations, communities, and every life, and what we ought to do about it as a society and civilization—is harder to achieve. This “human” layer of the climate challenge is crucial yet seldom sufficiently integrated into climate action. Publics can struggle to connect their climate concern with support for climate action, while others exhibit fear, resistance, forms of denial, and pushback against climate policies. This occurs against a cultural backdrop of increasing polarization, particularly in pluralistic liberal democracies like Canada. This paper presents qualitative research in the Canadian context in which climate actors across sectors examined the current sensemaking challenges regarding climate change. Sensemaking refers to how people mentally, emotionally, cognitively, and socially construct an understanding of the world. Respondents discussed key psycho‐social and sensemaking challenges regarding climate action, many of which pertain to the emotions provoked around perceptions of a ‘just transition,’ such as feeling left behind by unfair distribution of benefits from climate action investments and feeling frustration, lack of autonomy, and loss of agency regarding changes in identity and livelihoods due to climate action. The paper submits that a better understanding of these psycho‐social and sensemaking challenges—specifically, those involving affect, emotions, worldviews, and identity—could help generate agency, uptake, and social support of climate practices and policies, as well as lessen the divides between anti‐ and pro‐climate action views.

Habitat selection is context dependent and varies across space and time. Therefore, habitat selection models built from declining or highly disturbed populations may not accurately represent the optimal behavior of species and would perform poorly pre