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Oil Sands Environmental Management Bibliography

The Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA)partnered with the Oil Sands Research and Information Network (OSRIN) to create the new Oil Sands Environmental Management Bibliography, which includes documents relevant to the environmental management of oil sands development in Alberta. The majority of the documents focus on the mineable oil sands in the Athabasca deposit, though some documents relate to in-situ developments. This bibliography was last updated in November 2014.

Report on Lake Athabasca walleye samples for use in the validation of the walleye evaluation criteria

Authors Franzin, W. G.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
This document is a summary report on the length, weight data and otoliths for aging of 200 Walleye taken in the June 2011 Fort Chipewyan commercial fishery.

Citation:
Franzin, W. G. (2011).  Report on Lake Athabasca walleye samples for use in the validation of the walleye evaluation criteria. 28 pages . Abstract
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Report on movement and habitat use of fishes in the lower Athabasca River from 2008 -2009

Authors
Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to monitor movements and determine fall and winter habitat use for key target fish species including flathead chub, burbot, lake whitefish and longnose sucker, and collect supplemental information of the location of burbot and lake whitefish spawning and egg incubation areas in the Lower Athabasca River.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2009).  Report on movement and habitat use of fishes in the lower Athabasca River from 2008 -2009. (Applied Aquatic Research Ltd., Ed.). 59 pages . Abstract
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Report on the Athabasca oil sands development, Bitumount, Alberta

Authors
Year of Publication: 1974

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1974).  Report on the Athabasca oil sands development, Bitumount, Alberta. (Alberta Culture, Youth and Recreation, Ed.). 34 pages .
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Report on the lower Athabasca River instream flow needs monitoring workshop

Authors Korman, J., & Walters C.
Year of Publication: 2007

Abstract:
This report summarizes a workshop held to identify monitoring indices for ecosystem change in response to flow. The Instream Flow Needs Technical Task Group (IFNTTG) of the Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA) hosted a workshop in Calgary, Alberta on March 27-28, 2007 to assist in the development of this monitoring program. The primary objective of the workshop was to identify monitoring indices that provide an understanding of how the LAR ecosystem responds to changes in flow. The workshop focused on articulating the questions and scientific uncertainties to be addressed and resolved by the monitoring program, and identification of the ecosystem components that would be monitored. Thirteen experts from a variety of institutions across North America attended the workshop. A key feature of the workshop approach was to develop a conceptual model, which is simply a set of verbal descriptions of potential impacts of water withdrawals on key physical and biological indicators (e.g. fish population size or recruitment rate). Initial scoping discussions had suggested that the conceptual model should concentrate on prediction of possible impacts of winter flows on the mainstem Athabasca River, mainly in terms of changes in indicator fish populations. But comments from experts in the workshop soon made it apparent that such a narrow definition of the problem would lead to high risk of overlooking important potential impacts and separating effects of flow withdrawal from other, ongoing changes in the Athabasca River basin. Workshop participants articulated six main impact hypotheses describing the effects of reduced flow in the lower Athabasca River on physical and biological resources: 1) loss of connectivity between tributary and mainstem for spawning, rearing or overwintering of fishes; 2) loss of connectivity within the mainstem during winter; 3) loss of connectivity among delta features and between side channels and the mainstem; 4) reduced habitat availability in the mainstem; 5) reduced water quality; and 6) changes in water temperature. Confounding factors that need to be considered by a monitoring program aimed at assessing effects of flow change included changes in: dissolved oxygen levels in tributaries; long-term water yield; tributary hydrology and habitat; toxicity; and, fishing pressure. Final recommendations and conclusions from invited experts were provided at the end of the workshop and are summarized in Section 4.0.

Citation:
Korman, J., & Walters C. (2007).  Report on the lower Athabasca River instream flow needs monitoring workshop. 45 pages . Abstract
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Report Re: Performance of Tar Island tailings dyke for period January 1970 to March 1973 Great Canadian Oil Sands Project Fort McMurray, Alberta

Authors
Year of Publication: 1973

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1973).  Report Re: Performance of Tar Island tailings dyke for period January 1970 to March 1973 Great Canadian Oil Sands Project Fort McMurray, Alberta. (R.M. Hardy & Associates Ltd., Ed.). 26 pages .
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Report to the ERCB on analysis of pH and sulphur content of 1978 and 1993 soil samples from permanent plots in the Athabasca oil sands area

Authors Nyborg, M., & Bronaugh M.
Year of Publication: 1993

Citation:
Nyborg, M., & Bronaugh M. (1993).  Report to the ERCB on analysis of pH and sulphur content of 1978 and 1993 soil samples from permanent plots in the Athabasca oil sands area. 36 pages .
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Report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council with respect to the applications of Cities Service Athabasca Inc. and Shell Canada Limited under Part VI A of the oil and Gas Conservation Act

Authors
Year of Publication: 1963

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1963).  Report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council with respect to the applications of Cities Service Athabasca Inc. and Shell Canada Limited under Part VI A of the oil and Gas Conservation Act. (Oil and Gas Conservation Board, Ed.). 258 pages .
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Report to the Minister of Mines and Minerals and the Oil and Gas Conservation Board, with respect to an experiment proposed by Richfield Oil Corporation involving an underground nuclear explosion beneath the McMurray Oil Sands.

Authors
Year of Publication: 1959

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1959).  Report to the Minister of Mines and Minerals and the Oil and Gas Conservation Board, with respect to an experiment proposed by Richfield Oil Corporation involving an underground nuclear explosion beneath the McMurray Oil Sands.. (Alberta Technical Committee, Ed.). 55 pages .
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Representative costs for mineable oil sands projects

Authors
Year of Publication: 1987

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1987).  Representative costs for mineable oil sands projects. (Alberta Chamber of Resources, Oil Sands Task Force, Ed.).
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Reproductive and health assessment of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) inhabiting a pond containing oil sands process-affected water

Authors Kavanagh, R. J., Frank R. A., Solomon K. R., & Van Der Kraak G.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
Previous laboratory based studies have shown that oil sands process-affected waters (OSPWs) containing high concentrations of naphthenic acids (>25 mg/l) have adverse effects on the reproductive physiology of fish. The purpose of this study was to assess the reproductive development and health of a wild population of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) inhabiting an OSPW pond that has moderate concentrations of naphthenic acids (∼10 mg/l). Fathead minnows were collected at various times during the period of 2006 through 2008 from Demonstration Pond (OSPW) located at Syncrude Canada Ltd., and two reference sites, Beaver Creek reservoir and Poplar Creek reservoir, which are all north of Fort McMurray, AB, Canada. Condition factor, gill histopathology, gonadosomatic indices, liver somatic indices, male secondary sexual characteristics, and plasma sex steroids were examined. Depending on the time of year that fathead minnows were collected, there were differences in the condition factor, gonadosomatic indices, liver somatic indices, and secondary sexual characteristics of fathead minnows (in males) from Demonstration Pond when compared to the fathead minnows from the reference sites. In comparison to reference fish, lower concentrations of 11-ketotestosterone were measured in the plasma of male fathead minnows collected from Demonstration Pond in June 2006 and July 2007. Black spot disease and Ligula intestinalis were prevalent in fathead minnows from the reference sites but were not observed in fathead minnows from Demonstration Pond. The opercula of fathead minnows from Demonstration Pond also differed from those of reference fish. An examination of the gills of fathead minnows from Demonstration Pond revealed that were a number of proliferative and degenerative alterations relative to reference fish. Even though the fathead minnow population has been maintained in this OSPW pond since 1993, the results of this study demonstrate that the OSPW continues to affect the reproductive development and health of the fathead minnows compared to fish collected at reference sites.

Citation:
Kavanagh, R. J., Frank R. A., Solomon K. R., & Van Der Kraak G. (2013).  Reproductive and health assessment of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) inhabiting a pond containing oil sands process-affected water. 130-131, 8 pages . Abstract
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Reproductive and stress hormone levels in goldfish (Carassius auratus) exposed to oil sands process-affected water

Authors Lister, A., Nero V., Farwell A., Dixon D. G., & Van Der Kraak G.
Year of Publication: 2008

Abstract:
Athabasca oil sands mining in northern Alberta produces process-affected waters that are characterized by the presence of naphthenic acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and high salinity. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of these process-affected waters on reproductive and stress related endpoints in mature goldfish, Carassius auratus. In two separate studies, testosterone and 17β-estradiol levels in the plasma were significantly reduced in both male and female goldfish caged for 19 days in process-affected waters relative to controls. This effect was most pronounced in goldfish caged at a site containing mature fine tailing and tailings pond water (P5). Ovarian and testicular tissues from fish in the caging studies were incubated in vitro to evaluate potential differences in basal steroid production levels and responsiveness to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Basal levels of testosterone were reduced significantly in males and females from P5 compared with the control pond (P1) demonstrating that the gonads from exposed fish had a diminished steroidogenic capacity. Gonadal tissues of fish from all ponds responded similarly to hCG suggesting that the steroid biosynthetic pathway remained functionally intact. Plasma cortisol levels were significantly higher in male goldfish caged in a pond containing mature fine tailings and capped with uncontaminated water (P3) and in P5 compared with P1. Collectively, these studies suggest that waste products of oil sands mining have the potential to disrupt the normal endocrine functioning in exposed fish through alterations to both reproductive and glucocorticoid hormone biosynthesis. In additional laboratory studies, exposure of goldfish to a naphthenic acid extract for 7 days failed to replicate the effects of processes-affected waters on plasma steroid levels and the causative agent(s) responsible for the effects on steroid biosynthesis remains to be identified.

Citation:
Lister, A., Nero V., Farwell A., Dixon D. G., & Van Der Kraak G. (2008).  Reproductive and stress hormone levels in goldfish (Carassius auratus) exposed to oil sands process-affected water. 87(3), 7 pages . Abstract
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Reproductive impairment observed in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) held in oil sands tailings water

Authors Kavanagh, R. J., & Van Der Kraak G. J.
Year of Publication: 2005

Citation:
Kavanagh, R. J., & Van Der Kraak G. J. (2005).  Reproductive impairment observed in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) held in oil sands tailings water. 40 pages .
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Reproductive performance and neonatal development of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) on reclaimed mine sites on the Athabasca oil sands

Authors Keshwani, H., Hersikorn B., & Smits J. E.
Year of Publication: 2008

Abstract:
The ability of reclaimed wetlands created from oil sand tailings to support populations of tree swallows was examined. Nests were provided on the sites of interest to allow swallows to breed, raise their young and feed on flying insects from local wetlands. In order to determine if the bird's health was affected by stressors such as contaminants accumulated through the diet, this study examined reproductive performance and neonatal development of the birds. Two experimental wetlands differing in age were used in this study, notably a 15 year old and 3 year old wetland. Reproduction was measured by clutch size, egg mass, hatchability and offspring survival. Neonatal development was assessed through body measurements, taken on 12 day old nestlings. It was shown that the reproductive success of the adults, and clutch size did not differ between the sites. However, initiation of breeding was earlier at the younger reclamation site. Neonatal development was different between sites, but body mass was not. Birds at the younger site exhibited accelerated tail and wing feather maturation, but birds on the mature site had a larger skeletal size. These findings may be attributed to different dietary, nutritional, and/or endocrine modulating substances moving through the food chain. It was noted that insect density and diversity may have been influenced by different altitudes and vegetation cover at the 2 sites

Citation:
Keshwani, H., Hersikorn B., & Smits J. E. (2008).  Reproductive performance and neonatal development of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) on reclaimed mine sites on the Athabasca oil sands. 73 pages . Abstract
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Reproductive, immune, and physiological end points in tree swallows on reclaimed oil sands mine site

Authors Smits, J. E., Wayland M. E., Miller M. J., Liber K., & Trudeau S.
Year of Publication: 2000

Abstract:
Wild nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) inhabiting reclaimed wetlands receiving tailings or water from mine tailings ponds on oil sands mine sites were the subjects in a multiyear study to determine the ecological viability of these areas. Spanning two field seasons, immune function, reproductive performance (clutch size and mass, hatching success), nestling growth and survival, and diet of tree swallows were examined on six wetlands. One aspect of immune function, the T-lymphocyte proliferative response, was assessed in vivo using a phytohemagglutinin skin test. Hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O -deethylase (EROD) activityprovided a biomarker of exposure to oil sands contaminants in the tree swallow nestlings. Results show that there were no differences among reclaimed wetland sites for tree swallow reproductive success, nestling growth rate, and immune response that could be attributed to tailings or tailings pond water additions. Increased EROD activity confirmed the presence of xenobiotics in the diets of nestlings from two sites, while the main reference site was relatively free of EROD-inducing compounds. Dietary analyses showed that 84% of the food items of the tree swallow nestlings were of aquatic origin, likely from the local wetlands, and thus would be expected to provide a good reflection of biological effects of any mining-related contaminants accumulating through the food chain.

Citation:
Smits, J. E., Wayland M. E., Miller M. J., Liber K., & Trudeau S. (2000).  Reproductive, immune, and physiological end points in tree swallows on reclaimed oil sands mine site. 19(12), 9 pages . Abstract
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Research and development of a regionalization procedure for uncertainty based modelling of soil chemical character

Authors Whitfield, C. J., Loberg C., Bai D., & Church L. M.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
This report provides a description of the regionalization procedure, a summary of the framework testing results, a description of the anticipated use of the framework for the Acid Deposition Management Framework, and documentation of the scripts used in the framework.

Citation:
Whitfield, C. J., Loberg C., Bai D., & Church L. M. (2013).  Research and development of a regionalization procedure for uncertainty based modelling of soil chemical character. 9 pages . Abstract
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Research design for the study of social problems

Authors Van Dyke, E. W.
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
With the increase in incidence of resource development particularly in Alberta, several new towns have grown to accommodate the workers. Several types of social problems have come to be identified with these resource communities. This present study attempts to identify the social problems that prevail, to assess and analyze them and to design a system of social preventive and rehabilitation measures for the AOSERP study area. The research design will allow the problems to be monitored over a period of 10 years.

Citation:
Van Dyke, E. W. (1979).  Research design for the study of social problems. 108 pages . Abstract
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Research directions for solid tailings disposal at the Syncrude oil sands mine

Authors Lord, E. R., & Lahaie R.
Year of Publication: 1992

Citation:
Lord, E. R., & Lahaie R. (1992).  Research directions for solid tailings disposal at the Syncrude oil sands mine. (Singhal, R. K., Mehrotra, Anil K., Fytas, K., Collins, J.L., Ed.).
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Residual bitumen and flocculation: Do we understand its effects?

Authors Carreras, E. S., Passade-Boupat N., Bourrel M., Sedgwick A., Yang X., & Junaid A.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
Thickening of tailings is gaining importance as a way of treating the fines gener-ated from oil sands bitumen extraction. During the extraction process, some residual bitumen is left with the tailings. It is not well understood whether the presence of this residual bitumen is beneficial or detrimental to the flocculation of the tailings. In this study, we investigated the ef-fect of residual bitumen attached to the fines on flocculation. We found an optimal residual bi-tumen concentration. Despite the limited data, it seems that the optimal ratio of residual bitu-men to solids is in the vicinity of 0.01. The physical meaning of this ratio is yet to be understood.

Citation:
Carreras, E. S., Passade-Boupat N., Bourrel M., Sedgwick A., Yang X., & Junaid A. (2013).  Residual bitumen and flocculation: Do we understand its effects?. Abstract
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Response of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to naphthenic acid exposure

Authors Goff, K., Headley J., & Wilson K.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
This study examined the feasibility of using a model organism for the algal bioremediation of oil sands process water (OSPW), a highly toxic mixture of sediments, bitumen, ions, and organic and inorganic compounds. Naphthenic acids (NAs) are a contaminant class of particular concern. Bioremediation techniques may mitigate toxicity of OSPW in general, and NAs in particular. Although most studies on the biodegradation of NAs focus on the role of bacteria, fungi, and emergent macrophytes, studies have indicated that algae may also play a key role through direct degradation, biosequestration, or photosynthetic aeration of waters to promote other biological reactions. Chlamydomonas frigida is of particular interest, but no cultures are currently available. Therefore, this study used C. reinhardtii, a well-characterized model organism, to begin analysis of potential algal bioremediation of OSPW. Cultures of C. reinhardtii were grown heterotrophically in nutrient media spiked with a dilution series of NAs. Culture densities were measured to compile growth curves over time, changes in rate of growth, and survivability. Negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of NAs in solution in relation to growth rate and culture density. The study determined the tolerance of C. reinhardtii to NAs. A mechanism for this tolerance was then proposed.

Citation:
Goff, K., Headley J., & Wilson K. (2011).  Response of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to naphthenic acid exposure. Abstract
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Response of confined aquatic biota to mine depressurization water in Beaver Creek Reservoir

Authors Jantzie, T., Noton L. R., & Chymko N. R.
Year of Publication: 1980

Abstract:
Beaver Creek Reservoir was formed as a result of diverting the natural flow of Beaver Creek away from mine and plant areas and southward to the Athabasca River via Poplar Creek. The diversion was initiated in the fall of 1975 with the closure of the Beaver Creek Dam; filling of the reservoir was completed in the spring of 1976. When it became necessary to remove mine depressurization water from the mining area, Syncrude was granted permission by the Government of Alberta to discharge this effluent into Beaver Creek Reservoir, on the condition that chloride levels in water entering Poplar Creek did not exceed 400 mg/L above ambient levels. The present study was designed to investigate the survival of selected organisms in Beaver Creek Reservoir during 1979. The primary objective was to determine the response of selected species of aquatic biota to saline mine depressurization water after average dilution in the Beaver Creek Reservoir. More specific requirements of the study were: a) the study was to be carried out entirely within the Beaver Creek Reservoir using test organisms held in situ; b) the study must include three sampling locations and three replicates of each test organism at each station; c) test organisms must include: periphyton (on artificial substrates), native species of fish (white sucker and fathead minnow), and native species of invertebrates (either Gammarus or Hyalella); and d) field studies were to be conducted between June and October, 1979 and were to examine both short and long term effects.

Citation:
Jantzie, T., Noton L. R., & Chymko N. R. (1980).  Response of confined aquatic biota to mine depressurization water in Beaver Creek Reservoir. 78 pages . Abstract
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Response of plants to oil sand tailings

Authors Silva, M. J., Naeth M. A., Chanasyk D. S., Biggar K. W., & Sego D. C.
Year of Publication: 2002

Citation:
Silva, M. J., Naeth M. A., Chanasyk D. S., Biggar K. W., & Sego D. C. (2002).  Response of plants to oil sand tailings. 7 pages .
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Response of red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) seedlings to NaCl during the onset of bud break

Authors Mustard, J., & Renault S.
Year of Publication: 2006

Abstract:
A greenhouse study was designed to test the response of red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea L.) to NaCl during the onset of bud break. Seedlings treated with 50 mmol·L–1 NaCl for 32 d had lower shoot dry mass and shoot height than untreated seedlings. Transpiration and photosynthetic rates, chlorophyll b and carotenoid concentrations of red-osier dogwood seedlings were significantly reduced by NaCl treatment. The shoots of seedlings treated with 50 mmol·L–1 NaCl had a higher bulk modulus of cell wall elasticity than those of untreated seedlings, but the water potential components determined from the pressure-volume curves, osmotic potential and pressure potential at full turgor and osmotic potential at pressure loss, suggest that this change did not contribute to salt tolerance. Minor changes, including a small increase in arabinose of the hemicellulose fraction and a decrease in both galactose and rhamnose of the pectin fraction, also occurred in response to NaCl treatment. These changes in cell wall composition and elasticity could be partly attributed to differences in the developmental stage of the shoot tissues resulting from the delay in bud breaking in salt treated plants.

Citation:
Mustard, J., & Renault S. (2006).  Response of red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) seedlings to NaCl during the onset of bud break. 84, 7 pages . Abstract
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Response of Sphagnum fuscum to nitrogen deposition: A case study of ombrogenous peatlands in Alberta, Canada

Authors Vitt, D. H., Wieder K., Halsey L. A., & Turetsky M.
Year of Publication: 2003

Abstract:
Peatlands cover about 30% of northeastern Alberta and are ecosystems that are sensitive to nitrogen deposition. In polluted areas of the UK, high atmospheric N deposition (as a component of acid deposition) has been considered among the causes of Sphagnum decline in bogs (ombrogenous peatlands). In relatively unpolluted areas of western Canada and northern Sweden, short-term experimental studies have shown that Sphagnum responds quickly to nutrient loading, with uptake and retention of nitrogen and increased production. Here we examine the response of Sphagnum fuscum to enhanced nitrogen deposition generated during 34 years of oil sands mining through the determination of net primary production (NPP) and nitrogen concentrations in the upper peat column. We chose six continental bogs receiving differing atmospheric nitrogen loads (modeled using a CALPUFF 2D dispersion model). Sphagnum fuscum net primary production (NPP) at the high deposition site (Steepbank-mean of 600 g/m2; median of 486 g/m2) was over three times as high than at five other sites with lower N deposition. Additionally, production of S. fuscum may be influenced to some extent by distance of the moss surface from the water table. Across all sites, peat nitrogen concentrations are highest at the surface, decreasing in the top 3 cm with no significant change with increasing depth. We conclude that elevated N deposition at the Steepbank site has enhanced Sphagnum production. Increased N concentrations are evident only in the top 1-cm of the peat profile. Thus, 34 years after mine startup, increased N-deposition has increased net primary production of Sphagnum fuscum without causing elevated levels of nitrogen in the organic matter profile. A response to N-stress for Sphagnum fuscum is proposed at 14-34 kg ha-1 yr-1. A review of N-deposition values reveals a critical N-deposition value of between 14.8 and 15.7 kg ha-1 yr-1 for NPP of Sphagnum species.

Citation:
Vitt, D. H., Wieder K., Halsey L. A., & Turetsky M. (2003).  Response of Sphagnum fuscum to nitrogen deposition: A case study of ombrogenous peatlands in Alberta, Canada. 106(2), 10 pages . Abstract
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Response to Timoney critique of Royal Society of Canada expert panel on oil sands

Authors Hrudey, S. E., Naeth A. M., Therrien R., Van Der Kraak G., Gosselin P., Plourde A., et al.
Year of Publication: 2012

Citation:
Hrudey, S. E., Naeth A. M., Therrien R., Van Der Kraak G., Gosselin P., Plourde A., et al. (2012).  Response to Timoney critique of Royal Society of Canada expert panel on oil sands. 46(8), 1 page .
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Responses of benthic microorganisms (Thecamoebians) to oil sands process-affected materials: Providing endpoints for guaging aquatic reclamation success

Authors Neville, L. A., Gammon P., Patterson T. R., McCarthy F. M. G., MacKinnon M. D., & Macumber A.
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Constructed wetlands and end-pit lakes will play an important role in reclamation options for fluid tailings (OSPW/M) at surface oil sands operations. Through time and with natural bioremediation viable aquatic habitats will develop, but currently few tools are available to determine the rates of remediation in produced ecosystems. A micropaleoecological environmental proxy (thecamoebians) has been demonstrated to provide a time-averaged indicator of ecosystem health. Thecamoebian communities in sediments from both impacted and non-impacted wetlands and lakes in the vicinity of oil sands operation have been compared. An index of response to stress has been compiled with the goal of using it as a predictor of the path of remediation that will produce sustainable ecosystems. This information also provides an endpoint for remediation efforts. Thecamoebian assemblages in cores and surface samples from 63 natural lakes across the region were used to establish natural ecological ranges and remediation targets. These were compared to those present in wetland sediments impacted by oil sands materials (OSPW/M). The process-affected sites had lower thecamoebian diversity and were dominated by centropyxid taxa, whereas more abundant and diverse assemblages dominated by difflugiid taxa characterized less-impacted sites. Moreover, assemblages responded quickly to changes in OSPW/M input and to various reclamation strategies, such as nutrient input. Preliminary results suggest that thecamoebians represent proxies for gauging ecosystem health, monitoring aquatic reclamation progression and developing target endpoints.

Citation:
Neville, L. A., Gammon P., Patterson T. R., McCarthy F. M. G., MacKinnon M. D., & Macumber A. (2012).  Responses of benthic microorganisms (Thecamoebians) to oil sands process-affected materials: Providing endpoints for guaging aquatic reclamation success. Abstract
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