| Title | Investigating salt and naphthenic acids interactions in the toxicity of oil sands process water to freshwater invertebrates |
| Publication Type | Conference Proceedings |
| Year of Publication | 2010 |
| Authors | Turcotte, D., Kautzman M., Wojnarowicz P., Cutter J., Bird E., & Liber K. |
| Editors | Martel, L. M., Fournier G., Triffault-Bouchet D., Berryman I., Guay P. G. C., Campbell M., Lebeuf C., Couillard L., Parent J., & Pellerin P. |
| Date Published | 09/2009 |
| Place Published | La Malbaie, QC |
| Publication Language | eng |
| Keywords | invertebrates, naphthenic acids, salinity, sodicity, toxicity, UofS |
| Abstract | The hot water extraction process used to produce bitumens from oil sands produces a large volume of oil sands process water (OSPW) that contain elevated concentrations of naphthenic acids (NA) and salts. Many oil sands reclamation projects are proposing the use of OSPW as part of reconstructed wetlands projects. This study investigated the toxicity of OSPW to freshwater invertebrates. The toxic interactions between NA and salinity on freshwater invertebrates were assessed. Bioassays with laboratory-cultured Ceriodaphnia dubia were conducted to determine the toxicity of OSPW from selected water bodies. The study showed that while the concentrations of NAs and salinity were elevated in OSPW waters that caused toxic responses, the concentrations of salinity ions varied greatly among the OSPW samples. Results of the study suggested that ion composition may be a factor in toxicity. Interactions between NAs and salinity were then assessed by performing bioassays with mixtures representing major ion combinations in OSPW. |
| Notes | IN: Proceedings of the 36th Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop September 27-30, 2009. La Malbaie, Quebec. Martel L. M. Fournier G. Triffault-Bouchet D. Berryman I. Guay P.G.C. Campbell M. Lebeuf C. Couillard L. Parent J. Pellerin P. Benoit E. Lacroix |
| Locational Keywords | Alberta oil sands |
| Group | OSEMB |
| Citation Key | 52700 |
