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Repository of the Athabasca River Basin

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.

Spatial representation of recreational use in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Authors

Year of Publication: 2008

Abstract:
The principal objectives of this investigation were: 1) To determine the common attributes that contribute to an area that has recreation potential in the RMWB; 2) To determine the current and future demand for recreation within the RMWB; and 3) To determine the intensity and nature of the recreational activities. Record extent

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2008). Spatial representation of recreational use in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. (WorleyParsons, Ed.). 63 pages . Abstract

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Spatial variation in microbial respiration in oil sands-affected and reference wetlands measured using gas elution from sediments

Authors Gardner Costa, J.

Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:

Gardner Costa, J. (2008). Spatial variation in microbial respiration in oil sands-affected and reference wetlands measured using gas elution from sediments. 74 pages .

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Special fish collections, Upper Athabasca River, May, 1992

Authors Barton, B. A., Bjornson C. P., & Egan K. L.

Year of Publication: 1993

Abstract:
Report of a special fish collection (including mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), northern pike (Esox lucius)) made in the upper Athabasca River in the spring of 1992 to obtain tissue and blood samples for assessing fish exposure to contaminants.

Citation:

Barton, B. A., Bjornson C. P., & Egan K. L. (1993). Special fish collections, Upper Athabasca River, May, 1992. 29 pages . Abstract

Download: 0-662-20769-9.pdf (26.38 MB)

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Special fish collections, upper Athabasca River, September and October, 1992

Authors Barton, B. A., Patan D. J., & Seely L.

Year of Publication: 1993

Abstract:
Report of a special fish collection (including mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), northern pike (Esox lucius) made in the upper Athabasca river in the fall of 1992 to obtain tissue and blood samples for assessing fish exposure to contaminants.

Citation:

Barton, B. A., Patan D. J., & Seely L. (1993). Special fish collections, upper Athabasca River, September and October, 1992. 58 pages . Abstract

Download: 0-662-20768-8.pdf (42 MB)

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Species distribution and habitat relationships of waterfowl in northeastern Alberta

Authors Hennan, E., & Munson B.

Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
The objective of the waterfowl segment of the AOSERP/Avifauna program consisted of determining waterfowl species abundance and diversity and habitat associations. During waterfowl aerial surveys the length of wetland edge surveyed in 1976 ranged from 373 to 453 km on 65± wetlands. Spring-staging totals for two surveys for this year were 1000 and 3600 ducks. Breeding-pair totals for three surveys ranged from 540 to 870. Two brood surveys revealed 225 and 463 broods; 3590 and 9318 moulting ducks were counted coincidentally. Five fall-staging surveys revealed a total of from 11 000 to 24 000 ducks. Aerial surveys conducted in 1977 were reduced in number and scope with less than half the number of wetlands surveyed in six surveys. Oil sands wetlands were more heavily utilized by diving than dabbling ducks. Analysis of variance for edge type/habitat next-to-edge combinations for diving and dabbling ducks revealed significant associations for both groups of ducks for breeding pairs: dabblers preferred emergent vegetation edge combined with a shrub habitat next-to-edge. Divers preferred, with decreasing preference: emergent vegetation/shrub, wet meadow/coniferous forest, emergent vegetation/wet meadow, and emergent vegetation/mixed forest. Analysis of spring-staging flocks of both dabblers and divers revealed some preferred habitat associations but those did not prove significant. Brood and moulter data showed no significant habitat relationships. Fall-staging divers exhibited significant relationships preferring: open water, shrub/shrub, flooded trees/mixed forest, emergent vegetation/shrub, and shrub/mixed forest. Fall-staging dabblers exhibited habitat preferences but these were not significant. The preferred wetlands types, in descending order, were: lakes with shallow-marsh aquatics, lakes with deep-marsh aquatics, open lakes, creeks, and rivers. The significance of individual wetlands in terms of duck numbers and densities varied throughout the season. However, certain wetlands appeared consistently important: Little McClelland Lake, West Muskeg Lake, Wood Slough, Gordon Lake, Saline Lake, and Algar Lake.

Citation:

Hennan, E., & Munson B. (1979). Species distribution and habitat relationships of waterfowl in northeastern Alberta. 115 pages . Abstract

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Specified gas emitters regulation : quantification protocol for enhanced oil recovery (Version 1)

Authors

Year of Publication: 2007

Abstract:
This quantification protocol is written for the EOR system operator or EOR project developer. Some familiarity with, or general understanding of, the operation of an oil production and EOR system is assumed. The opportunity for generating carbon offsets with this protocol arises from the direct and indirect reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from the geological storage of waste gas streams containing greenhouse gases as part of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) schemes.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2007). Specified gas emitters regulation : quantification protocol for enhanced oil recovery (Version 1). Abstract

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Specified gas emitters regulation: quantification protocol for biofuel production and usage (Version 2.0)

Authors

Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
Greenhouse gas emissions are released to the atmosphere during petroleum based fuel extraction, processing and use. Use of biofuels (biodiesel and renewable alcohol) sources from lower GHG intensive feedstock to decrease the GHG emissions footprint for fuel use based on full lifecycle accounting.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (2014). Specified gas emitters regulation: quantification protocol for biofuel production and usage (Version 2.0). Abstract

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Spent oil-sand fertility study

Authors

Year of Publication: 1976

Abstract:
Physical and chemical analysis of spent sand indicate that this material is very infertile. The spent sand samples analysed had an average pH of 7.2 and low Na content indicating that there was no residual problem resulting from the NaOH used in the oil production process. Freshly processed sand however does have a high pH and higher Na contents.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (1976). Spent oil-sand fertility study. 37 pp.. Abstract

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Spent oil-sand fertility study

Authors McCoy, D. A., Regier H. F., & Graveland D. N.

Year of Publication: 1976

Abstract:
Physical and chemical analyses of spent sand indicate that this material is very infertile. The spent sand samples analysed had an average pH of 7.2 and low Na content indicating that there was no residual problem resulting from the NaOH used in the oil production process. Freshly processed sand however does have a high pH and higher Na contents. Overburden samples from several dump-sites varied considerably in soluble salt content (salinity), were of sandy loam textural class and had low organic N, NO3-N and extractable P contents. The variation in salinity found in these overburden samples suggests a need for extensive sampling and analysis of these materials prior to their inclusion in a full-scale reclamation program. These materials, if non-saline, would aid in seedbed construction, and retention of moisture and nutrients. Analyses of the organic materials (decomposed peat, raw sphagnum and sedge peats) indicate that they may supply plant nutrients (N and P) in addition to aiding in seedbed construction and moisture retention. Barley growth on spent sands, supplied with adequate NPK and S, in greenhouse experiments was adversely affected by additions of boron at 2 mg/Kg and beneficially affected by additions of Ca at 30 mg/Kg. Singular additions of other essential plant nutrients (Cu , Zn , Fe, Mn , Mo , Mg) had no significant effect on barley yield. In a similar experiment the yield of alfalfa was significantly decreased by addition of Cu at 5 mg/Kg. In a greenhouse experiment involving growth of barley on media comprised of spent sands, overburden and peat, barley yield was primarily governed by NPK addition but peat and overburden addition to spent sand did result in growth increase. In a greenhouse experiment involving the additions of sewage sludge, decomposed peat, sedge and sphagnum peats to spent sands, barley yields were significantly increased by the sludge, sedge and decomposed peat additions and decreased by the sphagnum peat additions. The deleterious effect of the sphagnum may be due to its low pH (4.1) and a competition for N between the plants and bacteria in the decomposition of sphagnum.

Citation:

McCoy, D. A., Regier H. F., & Graveland D. N. (1976). Spent oil-sand fertility study. 32 pages . Abstract

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Spiking tailings slurry as a method to increase fines retention in beach deposits

Authors Cuddy, G., Lahaie R., & Mimura W.

Year of Publication: 1993

Citation:

Cuddy, G., Lahaie R., & Mimura W. (1993). Spiking tailings slurry as a method to increase fines retention in beach deposits. 21 pages .

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Spray freezing treatment of water from oil sands tailing ponds

Authors Gao, W., Smith D. W., & Sego D. C.

Year of Publication: 2003

Abstract:
Tailings pond water produced from the extraction of bitumen from the oil sands in Northern Alberta, Canada, was treated using the spray freezing process. The wastewater was frozen by spraying at −10◦C and −24◦C ambient temperatures. The effect of the degree of freezing (i.e., freezing with and without runoff generation) of the sprayed water on the treatment efficiency, the concentration, and distribution of the impurities within the ice columns was examined. When the sprayed water only partially froze (i.e., freezing with runoff formation), the treatment efficiency (measured by reduction in COD, TOC, conductivity, Cl−, SO 2− concentrations) was higher and larger volumes of high quality 4 meltwater was obtained. Reduction of toxicity (Microtox) in meltwater, and the relationship between the overall impurity removal and toxicity reduction was also examined in this study. The decay coefficients were determined for prediction of meltwater impurity concentrations using mathematical models.

Citation:

Gao, W., Smith D. W., & Sego D. C. (2003). Spray freezing treatment of water from oil sands tailing ponds. 2, 9 pages . Abstract

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Stabilization of Great Canadian Oil Sands Ltd. tailings material by use of a vegetative cover: A growth room study

Authors Massey, D. L.

Year of Publication: 1970

Citation:

Massey, D. L. (1970). Stabilization of Great Canadian Oil Sands Ltd. tailings material by use of a vegetative cover: A growth room study. 26 pages .

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Stabilization of oil sands tailings using vacuum consolidation

Authors Abazari Torghabeh, E.

Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
This research is an experimental design and numerical analysis of a novel technique of the vacuum consolidation of Mature Fine Tailings (MFT). A meso-scale test was conducted to examine the feasibility of the MFT dewatering process. Vacuum consolidation involves applying a negative water pressure to the coke layer overlain by a saturated sand layer and underlain by MFT. Numerical modeling was conducted using the finite element program SoilVision to model the meso-scale experiment. Unsaturated behavior of Suncor coke, Suncor sand and MFT was investigated using Tempe pressure cell and capillary rise in an open tube prior to commencement of tests. Results indicate that a flux of water flows from the MFT layer into the coke layer which is indicative of the MFT dewatering. The modeling analysis indicates that suction has little effect on the settlement while the overburden has the significant effect on consolidation. This thesis also illustrates the importance of recalibrating TDR probes for different materials. The three layered system testing of MFT, Suncor coke and Suncor sand indicates that applying suction causing MFT to dewater, can set the stage for a four layered system in which another layer of MFT is placed on top of the sand layer. The suction applied to the coke layer causes the double-drained MFT to dewater faster.

Citation:

Abazari Torghabeh, E. (2013). Stabilization of oil sands tailings using vacuum consolidation. 149 pages . Abstract

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Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of tree swallows influenced by oil sands aquatic reclamation (PO)

Authors Farwell, A., Harms J., Dixon D. G., & Smits J.

Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), have been studied as upper trophic‐level sentinels to assess reclamation strategies on the Alberta oil sands. Wetland reclamation incorporates tailings water and solids (from the extraction of bitumen from sand) into functioning aquatic ecosystems. Naphthenic acids (NAs) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in tailing/reclamation material are constituents of concern for growth rate, reproductive function and immune function in tree swallows. Previous research indicated no differences in these endpoints from tailings additions; however, increased detoxification enzyme (EROD) activity indicated exposure to xenobiotics from these tailings‐based sites. Stable isotope analyses are studied here to further define dietary exposure of tree swallows to oil sands constituents. Previous studies have shown trends of 13C depletion and 15N enrichment in benthic invertebrates from reclaimed wetlands on the oil sands. Because the majority (84%) of dietary items consumed by tree swallow nestlings is aquatic, the isotope signatures in tree swallows should provide evidence of exposure to oil sands constituents. Here, tree swallow feather and muscle tissues were examined to determine if stable isotopes could be used to distinguish dietary contributions from oil sands reclamation sites vs. reference sites containing no tailings materials.

Citation:

Farwell, A., Harms J., Dixon D. G., & Smits J. (2011). Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of tree swallows influenced by oil sands aquatic reclamation (PO). Abstract

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Stable isotope and geochemical investigations into the hydrogeology and biogeochemistry of oil sands reservoir systems in northeastern Alberta, Canada

Authors Cowie, B. R.

Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
The objective of this thesis was to provide insight into the hydrogeology and biogeochemistry of the heavily biodegraded bitumen reservoirs of the Athabasca oil sands region of Alberta, Canada, using applications of aqueous and stable isotope geochemistry. Published data were used to generate a regional map of total dissolved solids concentrations in McMurray Formation waters. To explain the regional salinity data, a revised hydrogeological model was developed that incorporates localized upward flow of formation waters from saline Devonian aquifers into the bitumen-bearing McMurray Formation via karst- derived conduits. Where McMurray Formation waters are uninfluenced by connectivity with Devonian aquifers, topographic recharge from meteoric water is the dominant hydrogeological process. A new method was developed to determine the stable isotope composition and salinity of McMurray Formation waters from porewater samples extracted from drilling fluid-contaminated core. Mixing relationships of δ2H and δ18O values in drilling fluid and formation water were used to calculate the original formation water stable isotope composition and salinity from porewater extracted directly from oil sands drill core. Both vertical and lateral heterogeneity were observed on a reservoir-scale, and topographically-derived groundwater recharge was determined to be the dominant hydrogeological process in Suncor-Firebag lease area. Biogeochemical aspects of oil sands systems were investigated in two studies. The first study examined the impact of variable aqueous geochemistry on oil sands biogeochemistry, specifically methanogenesis and bacterial sulfate reduction, in laboratory-scale microcosms. Changes in aqueous geochemistry induced changes in the total amount of methane generated, and in the stable isotope ratios of carbon and hydrogen of generated methane. The second experiment measured natural abundance radiocarbon in dissolved inorganic carbon in a coal-bed methane reservoir in the Powder River Basin, Montana, USA. All samples of dissolved inorganic carbon and methane contained no detectable radiocarbon, and thus the carbon flux from biodegradation of coal was much greater than the carbon flux from recent groundwater recharge into the coal-bed aquifer system. Improved understanding of hydrogeological processes, and better understanding of reservoir biogeochemistry will lead to better decision making by industry and regulators during the development of oil sands resources, while our society transitions away from fossil energy over the coming century.

Citation:

Cowie, B. R. (2013). Stable isotope and geochemical investigations into the hydrogeology and biogeochemistry of oil sands reservoir systems in northeastern Alberta, Canada. 239 pages . Abstract

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Stable isotope profiling for estimation of net percolation through a reclaimed overburden dump

Authors Hilderman, J. N., Barbour S. L., & Hendry M. J.

Year of Publication: 2011

Citation:

Hilderman, J. N., Barbour S. L., & Hendry M. J. (2011). Stable isotope profiling for estimation of net percolation through a reclaimed overburden dump.

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Stable isotope techniques for evaluating water yields and groundwater surface water interaction: Applications in the Athabasca oil sands region

Authors Birks, S. J., Gibson J., Tattrie K., Schmidt A., & Moncur M. C.

Year of Publication: 2010

Citation:

Birks, S. J., Gibson J., Tattrie K., Schmidt A., & Moncur M. C. (2010). Stable isotope techniques for evaluating water yields and groundwater surface water interaction: Applications in the Athabasca oil sands region.

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Stable isotopes of sulfur, carbon and nitrogen in biota, upper Athabasca River, 1992

Authors Hesslein, R. H., & Ramlal P. S.

Year of Publication: 1993

Abstract:
Report of a study carried out in the spring and fall in the Hinton Research Specific Study Area (Northern River Basisn Study, Alberta) to determine whether information on feeding movements of fish could be derived from the sulfur and carbon isotope data, and the use of nitrogen isotope date to define the trophic positions of the fish. This information is useful in interpretation of caontaminat data and assessment of exposure of fish to effluents.

Citation:

Hesslein, R. H., & Ramlal P. S. (1993). Stable isotopes of sulfur, carbon and nitrogen in biota, upper Athabasca River, 1992. (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Freshwater Institute, Ed.). 24 pages . Abstract

Download: 0-662-21352-1.pdf (1.28 MB)

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Stable nitrogen isotopes of nestling tree swallows indicate exposure to different types of oil sands reclamation

Authors Farwell, A. J., Harms N. J., Smits J. E. G., & Dixon D. G.

Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) inhabiting reclaimed wetlands on the oil sands in northern Alberta are potentially exposed to elevated levels of oil sands constituents such as polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC) through diet. While increased detoxification enzyme activity as measured using 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase in nestlings is a generally accepted indicator of exposure to oil sands constituents, there is no apparent method to detect dietary exposure specific to oil sands processed material (OSPM). In this study, stable C and N isotopes were analyzed from muscle and feathers of nestling tree swallows (15 d old) to distinguish dietary exposure of birds near reference and OSPM wetlands. High δ15N and low δ13C values in the nestling tissues differentiated those from the OSPM wetlands and reference sites. Lower δ15N values of nestlings compared to the δ15N values of larval chironomids from an earlier study suggested that the majority of the diet of the nestlings was derived from non-OSPM sources, despite residence near and on the OSPM wetlands. Our finding of limited utilization of OSPM resources by tree swallows indicates either low abundance or diversity of dietary items emerging from OSPM wetlands, or sensory avoidance of prey from those wetlands. Minimal consumption of OSPM-derived dietary sources may be attributed to published findings of limited adverse effects on tree swallow reproduction, or growth and development for these same nestlings. This study demonstrated that stable isotope analysis, particularly for N isotopes, may serve as a useful tool to trace dietary exposure to OSPM constituents as part of avian ecotoxicology assessments of reclaimed wetlands on the oil sands.

Citation:

Farwell, A. J., Harms N. J., Smits J. E. G., & Dixon D. G. (2014). Stable nitrogen isotopes of nestling tree swallows indicate exposure to different types of oil sands reclamation. 77(8), 10 pages . Abstract

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Stakeholder relations in the oil sands: Managing uncertainty

Authors Savas, D. D.

Year of Publication: 2009

Abstract:
Stakeholders in Alberta’s oil sands engage with each other so that economic bene ts from oil sands development can be obtained within a sustainable environmental framework. In recent years, due to the rapid pace of development and heightened concern over the cumulative environmental impacts of oil sands development, stake- holder relations in the oil sands have come under increasing pres- sure. While stakeholders remain committed to their engagement, they’ve also felt the need to adjust their strategies through a more careful and balanced consideration of process, targeted partners, and outcomes. How and why this has happened offers important lessons about the practice of stakeholder relations in the oil sands.

Citation:

Savas, D. D. (2009). Stakeholder relations in the oil sands: Managing uncertainty. (Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, Ed.). 7 pages . Abstract

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Static water levels and completion details of nested piezometers in the Quaternary-Tertiary(?) succession Athabasca oil sands (in situ) area Alberta

Authors Lemay, T. G., & Jean G.

Year of Publication: 2002

Abstract:
In October 2011, AGS staff noted and corrected an error in the naming of the piezometers. Text referring to piezometer WEPA 00-1-158 was corrected to now refer to the correct piezometer WEPA 00-3-158. In 2000, Alberta Geological Survey installed nine piezometers. The piezometers were completed within both Quaternary drift aquifers and a Quaternary-Tertiary buried channel aquifer. Water levels were measured within these piezometers. The results of these measurements indicate that, at all three sites, vertical hydraulic gradients are downwards. At one of the sites (WEPA 00-1), the calculated vertical gradients between three of the nested piezometers are small. This may indicate that the three stratigraphically distinct aquifers monitored by these piezometers may be part of a larger, vertically connected aquifer system, even though they are separated by intervening till packages.

Citation:

Lemay, T. G., & Jean G. (2002). Static water levels and completion details of nested piezometers in the Quaternary-Tertiary(?) succession Athabasca oil sands (in situ) area Alberta. 15 pages . Abstract

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Statistics of sampling for Athabasca oil sand and model populations

Authors Wallace, D. E.

Year of Publication: 1989

Citation:

Wallace, D. E. (1989). Statistics of sampling for Athabasca oil sand and model populations. 235 pages .

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StatoilHydro and CSR strategy: The case of the Canadian oil sands investment

Authors Michaelsen, F.

Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:

Michaelsen, F. (2008). StatoilHydro and CSR strategy: The case of the Canadian oil sands investment. 103 pages .

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Status and future requirements for socio-economic research and public communications and consultations

Authors

Year of Publication: 1994

Abstract:
Report identifying, through the use of public meetings and public hearings, newspaper articles and literature, specific issues (water, quality, hunting and trapping etc.) and stakeholder organizations (cities and towns, wilderness organizations, Indian bands, etc.) in the Northern River Basins Study area of northern Alberta.

Citation:

[Anonymous] (1994). Status and future requirements for socio-economic research and public communications and consultations. (Praxis, Inc., Ed.). 34 pages . Abstract

Download: 0-662-22039-0.pdf (2.04 MB)

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Status of produced water treatment in Canada

Authors Zaidi, S. A., Simms K. M., & Kok S. E.

Year of Publication: 1993

Citation:

Zaidi, S. A., Simms K. M., & Kok S. E. (1993). Status of produced water treatment in Canada. 14 pages .

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