@article {51938,
	title = {Creating soil-like materials for plant growth using tailings sand and fine tails},
	volume = {37},
	year = {1998},
	pages = {3 pages },
	publisher = {The Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology },
	abstract = {A major challenge in the reclamation of oil sands processing residues is the re-establishment of self-sustaining ecosystems. The primary task is to develop a technology using these residues to create soil-like materials capable of supporting stable plant and microbial communities. Aggregates (stable agglomerates of mineral particles and: organic matter between 0.1 - 10 mm in diameter) can enhance the physical environment of the resulting soil to facilitate the establishment of these communities, and to expedite the process of natural soil structure development. A procedure was developed to artificially create aggregates using oil sands processing residues, namely tailings sand (TS), mature fine tails (MFT), and composite tails (CT). The clay and water contents played critical roles in the success of the aggregation process. The resulting aggregates had a loam texture, met the size distribution criteria, and were relatively stable. These properties would make them suitable for use as a plant growth medium. 

},
	keywords = {Alberta Innovates, AOSTRA, ARC, soil properties, Syncrude, tailings, tailings treatment},
	author = {Li, X. and Fung, M. Y. P.}
}
