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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.

Statutory review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act: Protecting the environment, managing our resources: Report of the Standing Committee on Environmental and Sustainable Development

Authors Warawa, M.
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Committee’s observations and recommendations aimed at improving efficiency while ensuring improved environmental outcomes.

Citation:
Warawa, M. (2012).  Statutory review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act: Protecting the environment, managing our resources: Report of the Standing Committee on Environmental and Sustainable Development. 53 pages . Abstract
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Step-scan photoacoustic fourier transform and x-rays photoelectron spectroscopy of oil sands fine tailings: New structural insights

Authors Bensebaa, F., Majid A., & Deslandes Y.
Year of Publication: 2001

Abstract:
The chemical and physical properties of clay suspensions from oil sands have profound effect not only on the bitumen extraction process but also on the tailing treatment and reclamation. Step-scan Photoacoustic Fourier Transform Infrared (S2PAS-FTIR) has been used to characterize the properties of clay suspensions. The photoacoustic spectral features of the fine solids (FS) fraction were found to vary drastically with the modulation frequency. This is attributed to the increase in the relative amount of bitumen-like matter in the bulk. A similar behavior was observed on the bi-wetted solid (BWS) fraction, in spite of the fact that the variation as a function of the modulation frequency is less significant. No such change is observed on hydrophobic solid (HPS) sample. These observations allow us to refine our pictorial image of the bitumen fraction materials structure.

Citation:
Bensebaa, F., Majid A., & Deslandes Y. (2001).  Step-scan photoacoustic fourier transform and x-rays photoelectron spectroscopy of oil sands fine tailings: New structural insights. 57(13), 7 pages . Abstract
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Steroidal aromatic 'naphthenic acids' in oil sands process-affected water: Structural comparisons with environmental estrogens

Authors Rowland, S. J., West C. E., Jones D., Scarlett A. G., Frank R. A., & Hewitt M. L.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
The large volumes, acute toxicity, estrogenicity, and antiandrogenicity of process-affected waters accruing in tailings ponds from the operations of the Alberta oil sands industries pose a significant task for environmental reclamation. Synchronous fluorescence spectra (SFS) suggest that oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) may contain aromatic carboxylic acids, which are among the potentially environmentally important toxicants, but no such acids have yet been identified, limiting interpretations of the results of estrogenicity and other assays. Here we show that multidimensional comprehensive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCxGC-MS) of methyl esters of acids in an OSPW sample produces mass spectra consistent with their assignment as C(19) and C(20) C-ring monoaromatic hydroxy steroid acids, D-ring opened hydroxy and nonhydroxy polyhydrophenanthroic acids with one aromatic and two alicyclic rings and A-ring opened steroidal keto acids. High resolution MS data support the assignment of several of the so-called 'O3' species. When fractions of distilled, esterified, OSPW acid-extractable organics were examined, the putative aromatics were mainly present in a high boiling fraction; when examined by argentation thin layer chromatography, some were present in a fraction with a retardation factor between that of the methyl esters of synthetic monoalicyclic and monoaromatic acids. Ultraviolet absorption spectra of these fractions indicated the presence of benzenoid moieties. SFS of model octahydro- and tetrahydrophenanthroic acids produced emissions at the characteristic excitation wavelengths observed in some OSPW extracts, consistent with the postulations from ultraviolet spectroscopy and mass spectrometry data. We suggest the acids originate from extensive biodegradation of C-ring monoaromatic steroid hydrocarbons and offer a means of differentiating residues at different biodegradation stages in tailings ponds. Structural similarities with estrone and estradiol imply that such compounds may account for some of the environmental estrogenic activity reported in OSPW acid-extractable organics and naphthenic acids.

Citation:
Rowland, S. J., West C. E., Jones D., Scarlett A. G., Frank R. A., & Hewitt M. L. (2011).  Steroidal aromatic 'naphthenic acids' in oil sands process-affected water: Structural comparisons with environmental estrogens. 45(22), 9 pages . Abstract
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Steward: 75 years of Alberta energy regulation

Authors Jaremko, G.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Jaremko, G. (2013).  Steward: 75 years of Alberta energy regulation. 179 pages .
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Stiffness and deformation characteristics of the compacted lean oil sands dykes

Authors SoeMoe, K. W., Biggar K. W., Claypool G., & Martens S.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
SoeMoe, K. W., Biggar K. W., Claypool G., & Martens S. (2013).  Stiffness and deformation characteristics of the compacted lean oil sands dykes.
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Stochastic modeling of the oil sands operations under greenhouse gas emission restrictions and water management

Authors Betancourt-Torcat, A., Almansoori A., Elkamel A., & Ricardez-Sandoval L.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
There exist several inherent uncertainties in the energy optimization modeling of Oil Sands operations. In this work, the deterministic model proposed by Betancourt-Torcat et al. in 2011 has been extended to account for parameter uncertainty in the natural gas price and steam-to-oil ratio (SOR). The new extended steady-state model considers freshwater withdrawal constraints and a new methodology to account for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The problem was formulated as a single-period stochastic (MINLP). The application of the stochastic energy optimization model includes results reflecting all uncertain outcomes simultaneously and enabling optimal arrangement of the energy supply and oil producer infrastructures. The model’s capabilities have been shown in the present work through two new case studies accounting for uncertainty while the deterministic case is presented as a reference. The case studies under uncertainty consider the forecasted oil production scenario for the year 2035 in an uncertain environment where the price of natural gas is volatile and the SOR unknown. The results of the stochastic model were compared with those of the deterministic model by studying the expected values of the stochastic approach and those of the deterministic solution. The results presented in this study were discussed regarding the characteristics of uncertainty of the varied fuel price and SOR parameter. The key findings of this study are that oil producers considering hydrocracking are favored over thermocracking-based schemes, and the GHG emission constraint cannot be met for SOR values higher than 2.48.

Citation:
Betancourt-Torcat, A., Almansoori A., Elkamel A., & Ricardez-Sandoval L. (2013).  Stochastic modeling of the oil sands operations under greenhouse gas emission restrictions and water management. 27(9), 9 pages . Abstract
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Stochastic simulation of soil water status on reclaimed land in northern Alberta

Authors Mapfumo, E., Chanasyk D. S., & Chaikowsky C. L. A.
Year of Publication: 2006

Abstract:
Studies of spatial variability and simulation of available soil water and extractable soil water are scarce and yet such data are essential in hydrologic and solute transport modeling. A study was conducted to characterize spatial variability of available soil water and extractable soil water on a reclaimed site in northern Alberta. The vegetation on site included grasses, legumes and shrubs. The site was reclaimed and the reconstructed profile was made up of 40-100 cm of clay loam/peat material overlying fine tailings sand. Soil water was measured using neutron moisture meters on a frequency of approximately two weeks during the growing season for a 2-year period. Spatial characterizations of available soil water (ASW) and extractable soil water (ESW) on the driest and wettest measurement days were conducted using geostatistical methods. A sample semi-variogram was estimated and several permissible theoretical models fitted and the model of best fit was determined using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). The spherical model was found to best represent the semi-variogram for available soil water and extractable soil water. Both the available soil water and extractable soil water had very high degrees of spatial dependence (> 99%) and the range of within which sample points were auto-correlated was less than 1 m. The conditional stochastic simulation of extractable soil water at unsampled locations that were 5 m north of the sampled locations indicated a high degree of uncertainty. This implies that generation of exhaustive data sets may require more sampling points at closer spacing to reduce uncertainty.

Citation:
Mapfumo, E., Chanasyk D. S., & Chaikowsky C. L. A. (2006).  Stochastic simulation of soil water status on reclaimed land in northern Alberta. 6(1), 9 pages . Abstract
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Strategy for developing the tailings roadmap - a case for non-competitive collaboration

Authors Sawatsky, L., & Cowan D.
Year of Publication: 2012

Citation:
Sawatsky, L., & Cowan D. (2012).  Strategy for developing the tailings roadmap - a case for non-competitive collaboration.
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Stratigraphic and Lithological Picks of the Uppermost Geological Units in the Athabasca Oil Sands Area (tabular data, tab-delimited format)

Authors
Year of Publication: 1990

Abstract:
This dataset has stratigraphic and lithological picks of the upper bedrock and Quaternary geological units in the Athabasca Oil Sands Area extending north from Cold Lake to the Fort McMurray region. The picks were compiled from the mid-1970s to 2006 to construct maps of the subsurface distribution, structure, topography and thickness of near-surface bedrock and Quaternary stratigraphic units. Alberta Geological Survey staff, as well as staff from industry and other government departments, interpreted the data.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (1990).  Stratigraphic and Lithological Picks of the Uppermost Geological Units in the Athabasca Oil Sands Area (tabular data, tab-delimited format). Abstract
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Stress effects on ecosystems processes: Net primary productivity of the Alberta oil sands wetlands

Authors Wytrykush, C., & Ciborowski J. J. H.
Year of Publication: 2007

Citation:
Wytrykush, C., & Ciborowski J. J. H. (2007).  Stress effects on ecosystems processes: Net primary productivity of the Alberta oil sands wetlands. 23 pages .
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Structure and properties of oil sands clay tailings

Authors Kessick, M. A.
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
Oil sands clay tailings settle to a gel-like sludge or slime which is still relatively low in solids content, and the tailings show extremely slow dewatering beyond this point. These characteristics imply a significant degree of structure in the slime. Based on a comparison of some of the rheological and stability characteristics of the material and those of a bentonite gel over a. range of pH, a structure is proposed which depends for its stability on the presence of residual bitumen as well as a clay-bound organic component.

Citation:
Kessick, M. A. (1979).  Structure and properties of oil sands clay tailings. 18(1), 3 pages . Abstract
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Structure comparison of an oil sands tailings sludge with a montmorillonite gel model

Authors Pierre, A. C., Zou J., & Barker C.
Year of Publication: 1992

Abstract:
The stability of oil sands tailings sludge with respect to sedimentation and consolidation is often attributed to the colloidal properties of some of the component minerals like clays. In this study, the packing structure of particles in a real oil sands sludge is compared with that of montmorillonite colloidal sediments published previously. For this purpose, the technique of hypercritical drying was used and the dried samples were examined under a scanning electron microscope. The network structures of both materials show many similarities. In particular, the platelike clay particles build a random network by linking to each other according to an edge-to-edge fashion.

Citation:
Pierre, A. C., Zou J., & Barker C. (1992).  Structure comparison of an oil sands tailings sludge with a montmorillonite gel model. 71(12), 3 pages . Abstract
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Structure in oil sands fine tailings

Authors Mikula, R. J., Munoz V. A., Lam W. W., & Payette C.
Year of Publication: 1993

Citation:
Mikula, R. J., Munoz V. A., Lam W. W., & Payette C. (1993).  Structure in oil sands fine tailings. 19 pages .
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Structure of a traditional baseline data system

Authors McVey, W. W.
Year of Publication: 1976

Abstract:
The research was to determine whether appropriate data exist for development of a comprehensive statistical baseline data system for the Athabasca Oil Sands region. The objectives included: a review and assessment of data, including the Statistics Canada Census; evaluation of weaknesses and deficiencies in existing data sources; recommendations based upon the foregoing evaluation; and a bibliography. As an initial step, the existing data sources pertinent to the AOSERP target area were reviewed and assessed. The following criteria were selected to assist the evaluation of data: the type collected, source, detail, geographic identification, accessibility, and time frame. These criteria permitted the assessment of whether the data would be amenable to geographically-coded, continuous monitoring systems. It was found that the Statistics Canada Census provided the most data, the most complete coverage of the target area, the smallest statistical areas, the greatest consistency in data and data collection, and the most regular collection. The local agency collection efforts were generally oriented toward specific goals and the data intended primarily for intra-agency use. In several instances, data were collected irregularly and were site-specific. The smallest statistical areas utilized were minor civil sub-divisions. While these statistical units are relatively comparable over time, they may be too large to be of value to a common small area system. Generally, data collecting agencies did not use coterminus boundaries; for example, health units, polling districts, school divisions, manpower regions, travel and industry zones were not comparable to one another. In many instances, these data collection areas were too large, extending beyond the entire AOSERP study region.

Citation:
McVey, W. W. (1976).  Structure of a traditional baseline data system. 38 pages . Abstract
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Structure of sludge

Authors Schutte, R., Czarnecki J. A., & Liu J. K.
Year of Publication: 1991

Citation:
Schutte, R., Czarnecki J. A., & Liu J. K. (1991).  Structure of sludge. 7 pages .
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Structure-reactivity of naphthenic acids in the ozonation process

Authors Pérez-Estrada, L. A., Han X., Drzewicz P., Gamal El-Din M., Fedorak P. M., & Martin J. W.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
Large volumes of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) are produced in northern Alberta by the surface mining oil sands industry. Naphthenic acids (NAs) are a complex mixture of persistent organic acids that are believed to contribute to the toxicity of OSPW. In situ microbial biodegradation strategies are slow and not effective at eliminating chronic aquatic toxicity, thus there is a need to examine alternative remediation techniques. NAs with multiple rings and alkyl branching are most recalcitrant to microbial biodegradation, but here we hypothesized that these same structural features may lead to preferential degradation in the ozonation process. Total NA degradation increased with increasing pH for commercial NA solutions, suggesting a hydroxyl radical mechanism and that naturally alkaline OSPW would unlikely require pH adjustment prior to treatment. For commercial NAs and OSPW, NAs with more rings and more carbon (and more H atoms) were depleted most rapidly in the process. Relative rate measurements with binary mixtures of model NA compounds not only confirmed this structure reactivity but also indicated that alkyl branching patterns were an additional factor determining NA reactivity. The results demonstrate that ozonation is complementary to microbial biodegradation, and the process remains a promising water reclamation strategy for the oil sands industry.

Citation:
Pérez-Estrada, L. A., Han X., Drzewicz P., Gamal El-Din M., Fedorak P. M., & Martin J. W. (2011).  Structure-reactivity of naphthenic acids in the ozonation process. 45(17), 6 pages . Abstract
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Stuck in the tar sands: How the federal government's proposed climate change strategy lets oil companies off the hook

Authors
Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2008).  Stuck in the tar sands: How the federal government's proposed climate change strategy lets oil companies off the hook. (Climate Action Network Canada, Ed.). 14 pages .
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Studies in recolonization of stream substrates by aquatic organisms

Authors Lock, M. A., & Wallace R. R.
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
The colonization of limestone gravel, limestone gravel + organic matter, and limestone gravel from a river bed was followed over time in order to compare two possible stream reclamation substrates with a control (river gravel). After nine weeks of colonization by benthic micro- and macro-organisms there were few significant differences between the river gravel control and limestone gravel and limestone gravel + organic matter, the two gravels under test. Specific differences were noted in algal composition of the epilithon, with the numbers of Cyanophyta and Chlorophyta being 50% below those on river gravel while the numbers of Bacillariophyta were considerably higher (300 to 1000%), yet the chlorophyll a concentration was approximately the same on all three gravels at 0.4 µg•cm-2. However, the similar numbers and biomass of micro-invertebrates on the three gravels suggested that the amount of energy available for higher trophic levels was equivalent. A major difference between the river gravel and the two test gravels was in the very much larger macro-invertebrate population found in the latter. It was concluded that, although limestone rubble would be a suitable substrate for river reclamation, the time for recolonization would be considerably longer than indicated in the study because of the very high levels of propagules available from the river in which the experiments were carried out.

Citation:
Lock, M. A., & Wallace R. R. (1979).  Studies in recolonization of stream substrates by aquatic organisms. 22 pages . Abstract
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Studies into the use of peat overburden and tailings sludge in the revegetation of tailings sand

Authors Rowell, M. J.
Year of Publication: 1982

Citation:
Rowell, M. J. (1982).  Studies into the use of peat overburden and tailings sludge in the revegetation of tailings sand. 39 pages .
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Studies of chemical properties of soils and methods of improving mined materials for plant growth

Authors Turchenek, L., & McGill W. B.
Year of Publication: 1977

Citation:
Turchenek, L., & McGill W. B. (1977).  Studies of chemical properties of soils and methods of improving mined materials for plant growth. 50 pages .
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Studies of physical properties of soils and mined materials in relation to reclamation

Authors Maclean, A. H.
Year of Publication: 1977

Citation:
Maclean, A. H. (1977).  Studies of physical properties of soils and mined materials in relation to reclamation. 50 pages .
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Studies of the physical chemistry of clays

Authors Kasperski, K. L.
Year of Publication: 1988

Citation:
Kasperski, K. L. (1988).  Studies of the physical chemistry of clays. 184 pages .
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Studies on flocculation of kaolin suspensions and mature fine tailings

Authors Ezeagwula, K. E.
Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:
Ezeagwula, K. E. (2008).  Studies on flocculation of kaolin suspensions and mature fine tailings.
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Studies on transport of vanadium (V) and nickel (II) from wastewater using activated composite membranes

Authors Melita, L., & Gumrah F.
Year of Publication: 2010

Abstract:
Third International Conference on Engineering for Waste and Biomass Valorization, May 2010, Beijing, China. The metals such as vanadium, nickel and iron are identified in the typical crude oils extracted from oil bearing rocks. The produced water contains salts, heavy metals, emulsified oil and other organics after the hot water extraction process (HWEP) of bitumen from oil sands. This is a serious environmental problem waiting for technically and economically feasible solutions. Membrane technologies such as ultra filtration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis are widely used in water purification and they are also applied for produced-water (wastewater stream in oil and gas production) purification. This study focuses on the transport of Vanadium (V) and Nickel (II) through activated composite membranes (ACMs) based on carrier Aliquat 336, in cyclohexane and dodecane. Reagents and materials, without further purification, and double distilled water were used. The UV-visible spectrophotometer and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS) were utilised for measuring the concentrations of metal ions from aqueous solutions. Optimum conditions for both feed (pH < 7) and permeate (pH > 8) solutions, the influence of hydrodynamic conditions, the concentration of carrier on membrane (0.2, 0.5 and 0.7 M), the influence of aqueous feed acidity (4 < pH < 7), the influence of permeate reagents (NH3, HNO3, and Na2CO3) and the efficiency of separation process were established. The experiments were carried out at 20°C and low concentrations of V (V) and Ni (II), between 5 and 25 ppm, for modelling, as good as possible, one matrix of industrial wastewaters which contain V (V) and Ni (II) after HWEP. The coupled transport of vanadium from aqueous solutions following the reactions: (R4N+Cl−)org+ VO2(OH)−2⇄(R4N+VO2(OH)−2)org+ Cl− (R4N+VO2(OH)−2)org+ 2 OH−⇄(R4N+OH−)org+VO3OH2−+ H2O The removal of V (V) and Ni (II) from wastewater samples was found to be governed by the carrier concentration used as well as the conditions of the aqueous feed and permeate solutions. The good efficiency of activated composite membranes separation was observed in case of V (V). The selectivity of Aliquat 336 based ACM toward V (V) and Ni (II) is presented and discussed. Selectivity demonstrated that vanadium ions were removable from mixtures due to the different extraction strength of Aliquat 336. Such selectivity is based on the difference of the dynamic behaviour of the metal ions transport.

Citation:
Melita, L., & Gumrah F. (2010).  Studies on transport of vanadium (V) and nickel (II) from wastewater using activated composite membranes. 1(4), 4 pages . Abstract
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Study of bio-densification process in oil sands tailings: Modeling and experimental validation

Authors Roozbahani, S.
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Slow densification of mature fine tailings (MFT) is one of the major challenges in reduction of tailings inventory, pore-water recovery and reclamation of tailings for oil sands industry. Bio-densification is a new treatment method in which densification of tailings is accelerated through microbiological activity. Two-meter columns were installed to study effect of microbial activity on consolidation of MFT. Gas production and changes in concentration of ions due to microbial activity are recognized as two important parameters in settling rate of bio-activated tailings. Therefore, effects of these parameters on consolidation characteristics of tailings are studied. Effect of bicarbonate ions on settling was investigated based on a series of experiments on bitumen-free MFT which was synthesized through separation process. Two models have been developed based on finite strain theory to describe consolidation of saturated and gassy slurries. These equations are solved by COMSOL Multiphysics to predict the experimental observations.

Citation:
Roozbahani, S. (2012).  Study of bio-densification process in oil sands tailings: Modeling and experimental validation. 123 pages . Abstract
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