Many human activities such as agriculture and waste management alter natural biogeochemical cycles. In many cases, they create linear flows of nutrients that can be energy intensive and lead to negative impacts on surrounding ecosystems. 聽Jillian is interested in exploring ways to transform these linear flows into more circulative ones.聽聽Alternative organic waste management strategies, such as composting and anaerobic digestion, are promising because through these processes, waste material is converted into a resource, natural biogeochemical cycles are enhanced, and greenhouse gas emissions may even be reduced. 聽Her聽thesis research aims to: 1) analyze the impacts of historical policy and legislation on phosphorus (P) cycles associated with organic waste management and, 2) develop a model that can estimate existing nutrient flows on the island of Montreal associated with agriculture and organic waste, identifying control (or leverage) points where technological or policy tools could be most effectively applied, and assess how P flows may be altered by the implementation of a policy which bans the disposal of organic waste to landfills.
