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TitleMature fine tailings from oil sands processing harbour diverse methanogenic communities
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsPenner, T. J., & Foght J. M.
Volume56
Issue6
Pagination11 pages
Date Published06/2010
PublisherCanadian Journal of Microbiology
Publication Languageeng
Keywordsmicrobiology, Syncrude, tailings, UofA
Abstract

Processing oil sands to extract bitumen produces large volumes of a tailings slurry comprising water, silt, clays, unrecovered bitumen, and residual solvent used in the extraction process. Tailings are deposited into large settling basins, where the solids settle by gravity to become denser mature fine tailings (MFT). A substantial flux of methane, currently estimated at ~40 million L/day, is being emitted from the Mildred Lake Settling Basin. To better understand the biogenesis of this greenhouse gas, the methanogenic consortia in MFT samples from depth profiles in 2 tailings deposits (Mildred Lake Settling Basin and West In-Pit) were analyzed by constructing clone libraries of amplified archaeal and bacterial 16S rRNA genes. The archaeal sequences, whose closest matches were almost exclusively cultivated methanogens, were com- parable within and between basins and were predominantly (87% of clones) affiliated with acetoclastic Methanosaeta spp. In contrast, bacterial clone libraries were unexpectedly diverse, with the majority (~55%) of sequences related to Proteo- bacteria, including some presumptive nitrate-, iron-, or sulfate-reducing, hydrocarbon-degrading genera (e.g., Thauera, Rhodoferax, and Desulfatibacillum). Thus, MFT harbour a diverse community of prokaryotes presumptively responsible for producing methane from substrates indigenous to the MFT. These findings contribute to our understanding of biogenic methane production and densification of MFT in oil sands tailings deposits.

URLhttp://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/W10-029
Locational Keywords

Athabasca Oil Sands Region

Active Link

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/672195034

Group

OSEMB

Citation Key52836

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