| Title | Vegetation diversity and biomass: Response to oil sands tailings disposal in Fort McMurray, Alberta |
| Publication Type | Conference Proceedings |
| Year of Publication | 2010 |
| Authors | Roy, M. - C., & Foote L. |
| Editors | Martel, L. M., Fournier G., Triffault-Bouchet D., Berryman I., Guay P. G. C., Campbell M., Lebeuf C., L. C., Parent J., & Pellerin P. B. |
| Date Published | 09/2009 |
| Place Published | La Malbaie, QC |
| Publication Language | eng |
| Keywords | inventory, naphthenic acids, salinity, sodicity, survey, UofA, vegetation characteristics, wetlands |
| Abstract | While covering the bottom of constructed wetlands with a layer of oil sands tailings has been proposed as a means of disposal, the salts and naphthenic acids (NA) in tailings may have negative impacts on wetland vegetation development. This study was conducted to determine if wetlands constructed with oil sands tailings have a lower vegetation diversity and biomass than constructed wetlands that are not amended with tailings. The effects of NA and salinity on the vegetation in natural, constructed, and tailings-impacted wetlands were evaluated in 30 sites in the Fort McMurray region. Results of the study indicate that the presence of tailings negatively impacted both vegetation diversity and biomass. Salinity was identified as the primary causal factor. |
| 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 | Fort McMurray |
| Group | OSEMB |
| Citation Key | 54220 |
