McGill, Dr. William
PhD (University of Saskatchewan), MSc (University of Manitoba), BSA, Honours (University of Manitoba)
Biography
Dr. McGill came to UNBC in January 2001, having been a professor at the University of Alberta for 30 years. He served two terms as Dean of the College of Science and Management at UNBC, and since 2012 has held a tenured half-time appointment as Professor in Ecosystem Science & Management. His teaching has spanned 19 courses ranging from Soil Microbiology & Biochemistry through Geochemistry and Reclamation of Disturbed Lands; to Society, Policy & Administration, and Integrated Environmental Systems II: (theoretical explanations of human use, valuation, appreciation, and perceptions of the natural environment). His research has focused on biogeochemical cycles, with special emphasis on carbon and nitrogen in soil organic matter and simulation modelling of associated greenhouse gas dynamics. In addition, he has contributed to understanding the fate and dynamics of organic and inorganic xenobiotic, including remediation and management technologies for contaminated sites. Dr. McGill is a Deputy Editor of the journal Climatic Change. In recognition of his work he has been named a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, Fellow of the Canadian Society of Soil Science, Fellow of the Soil Science Society of America, and Fellow of the America Association for the Advancement of Science.
Research and Expertise
- Global Systems and Human Activity
- Ignorance as a tool to avoid action on one hand; and, as a driver of scholarly inquiry on the other
- Agriculture
- Climate Change
- Earth Science
- Environment
- Ethics
- Farming
- Forestry
- Natural Resources
Selected Publications
Recent Refereed Scientific Publications
Shi, J.; McGill, WB.; Chen, N.; Rutherford, PM.; Whitcombe, TW.; Zhang, W. (2020) Formation and Immobilization of Cr(VI) species in long-term tannery waste contaminated soils. Environ. Sci. Technol. 54:7226-7235
Tian, Y., Li, J., Whitcombe, T., McGill, W.B. Thring, R., 2020. Application of oily sludge-derived char for lead and cadmium removal from aqueous solution. Chem. Eng. J. 384(Article Number: 123386). DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2019.123386
Tian, Y., McGill, W.B., Whitcombe, T.W., Li, J., 2019. Ionic liquid-enhanced solvent extraction for oil recovery from oily sludge. Energy Fuels 33, 3429–3438. DOI: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.9b00224
Domes K.A., de Zeeuw T., Massicotte H.B., Elkin C., McGill W.B., Jull M.J., Chisholm C.E., and Rutherford P.M. 2018. Short-term changes in spruce foliar nutrients and soil properties in response to wood ash application in the sub-boreal climate zone of British Columbia. Can. J. Soil Sci. 98: 246–263 dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2017-0115
Izaurralde, RC; McGill, WB; Williams, JR.; Jones, CD.; Link, RP.; Manowitz, DH.; Schwab, DE; Zhang, XS; Robertson, GP; Millar, N. 2017. Simulating microbial denitrification with EPIC: Model description and evaluation. Ecological Modelling, 359:349-362 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2017.06.007
Recent Professional Publications
Burton, S; McGill, WB; Robinson, J; and Tegart, G. 2019. Innovation and farm decision-making. Forage Fact 117 (4 pp), Peace River Forage Association, (http://www.peaceforage.bc.ca/forage_facts_pdfs/FF_117_Innovation_FarmDecisionMaking.pdf)
McGill, WB; Burton, S; and Robinson, J. 2017. Soil Water and Resiliency. Forage Fact 107 (4 pp), Peace River Forage Association (http://www.peaceforage.bc.ca/forage_facts_pdfs/FF_107_Soil_Water&Resiliency_aif6.pdf)
Burton, S; McGill, WB; and Robinson, J. 2017. Soil Quality for Resiliency. Forage Fact 106 (4 pp), Peace River Forage Association. (http://www.peaceforage.bc.ca/forage_facts_pdfs/FF_106_Soil_Quality_for_Resiliency_iaf6.pdf)
McGill, WB; and Burton, S. 2016. Soil Quality Field Kit: Part II. Forage Fact 95 (4 pp), Peace River Forage Association (http://www.peaceforage.bc.ca/forage_facts_pdfs/FF_96_Soil_Qualtiy_Part%20ll.pdf)
Burton, S; and McGill, WB. 2016. Soil Quality Field Kit: Part I. Forage Fact 95 (4 pp), Peace River Forage Association. (http://www.peaceforage.bc.ca/forage_facts_pdfs/FF_95_Soil_Quality_Part_I.pdf)