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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.

The coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation treatment of oil sands process-affected water for high pressurized membrane filtrations

Authors Kim, E. - S., Liu Y., & Gamal El-Din M. G.
Year of Publication: 2011

Citation:
Kim, E. - S., Liu Y., & Gamal El-Din M. G. (2011).  The coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation treatment of oil sands process-affected water for high pressurized membrane filtrations. 2 pages .
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The Cold Lake oil sands project: An economic analysis

Authors Dooley, A. M.
Year of Publication: 1981

Citation:
Dooley, A. M. (1981).  The Cold Lake oil sands project: An economic analysis.
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The compatibility of geotextiles with mature fine tailings

Authors Chappel, M. J., & Blond E.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Chappel, M. J., & Blond E. (2013).  The compatibility of geotextiles with mature fine tailings.
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The contribution of groundwater discharge to the overall water budget of two typical boreal lakes in Alberta/Canada estimated from a radon mass balance

Authors Schmidt, A., Gibson J. J., Santos I. R., Shubert M., Tattrie K., & Weiss H.
Year of Publication: 2010

Abstract:
Radon-222, a naturally-occurring radioisotope with a half-life of 3.8 days, was used to estimate ground- water discharge to small lakes in wetland-dominated basins in the vicinity of Fort McMurray, Canada. This region is un- der significant water development pressure including both oil sands mining and in situ extraction. Field investigations were carried out in March and July 2008 to measure radon-222 distributions in the water column of two lakes as a tracer of groundwater discharge. Radon concentrations in these lakes ranged from 0.5 to 72Bq/m3, while radon concentrations in groundwaters ranged between 2000 and 8000 Bq/m3 . A radon mass balance, used in comparison with stable isotope mass balance, suggested that the two lakes under investigation had quite different proportions of annual groundwater inflow (from 0.5% to about 14% of the total annual water inflow). Lower discharge rates were attributed to a larger drainage area/lake area ratio which promotes greater surface connectivity. Interannual variability in groundwater proportions is expected despite an implied seasonal constancy in groundwater discharge rates. Our results demonstrate that a combination of stable isotope and radon mass balance approaches provides information on flowpath partitioning that is useful for evaluating surface-groundwater connectivity and acid sensitivity of individual water bodies of interest in the Alberta Oil Sands Region.

Citation:
Schmidt, A., Gibson J. J., Santos I. R., Shubert M., Tattrie K., & Weiss H. (2010).  The contribution of groundwater discharge to the overall water budget of two typical boreal lakes in Alberta/Canada estimated from a radon mass balance. 14, 10 pages . Abstract
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The cost of heavy oil production and its various components

Authors Mann, D., & Irvine J.
Year of Publication: 1989

Citation:
Mann, D., & Irvine J. (1989).  The cost of heavy oil production and its various components. 5 pages .
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The design and application of a full cost accounting framework on the Athabasca oil sands case study

Authors Kerr, G. L.
Year of Publication: 2004

Abstract:
While economic benefit accrues to Albertans through economic rent mechanisms of the oil and gas industry, other environmental and social impacts, called ‘externalities’, are currently unaccounted for. This paper presents an environmental accounting framework design and application on the Athabasca Oil Sands. The case study used production, royalty collection and emissions data within its application. Based upon the current research, a damage function approach DFA) was applied for the valuation of oil sands emissions of NOx and S02to estimated health costs. The application revealed that an FCA framework application can provide insights into the true costs of oil and gas operations and serves to stimulate discussion about the internalisation of such costs through government policy. Ultimately, government economic policies that adopt the full costing of activities, such as the health costs associated with oil sands development, could ensure that the polluting organisation pays for its impacts.

Citation:
Kerr, G. L. (2004).  The design and application of a full cost accounting framework on the Athabasca oil sands case study. 79 pages . Abstract
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The design and installation of a field instrumentation program for the evaluation of soil-atmosphere water fluxes in a vegetated cover over saline/sodic shale overburden

Authors Boese, C. D.
Year of Publication: 2003

Abstract:
The mining of oil sands near Fort McMurray, Alberta, involves the stripping of salinesadie overburden to gain access to the oil-bearing formation. The overburden is placed in mined out pits and surface dumps and is re-contoured before being capped with a mandated 1 m soil cover. The potential for slope instability, subsidence, and salinization resulting from the character of the saline-sodic material and its interaction with fresh water makes it imperative that the amount of precipitation percolating below the root zone be minimised. Syncrude Canada Ltd is conducting a large scale cover trial at the Mildred Lake mine in order to assess the performance of different reclamation strategies. Four 1 hectare prototype covers were placed on an area referred to as the SW30-Dump in order to study the basic mechanisms controlling moisture movement within the cover systems. Three covers were constructed in 1999 with configurations of 1.00 m, 0.50 m and 0.35 m thick and consisted of a thin layer of peat overlying varying thickness of secondary soil. A fourth study site was established on a recently reclaimed watershed capped with a 1.00 m cover of peat/secondary mix in 1996. A field instrumentation program was carried out consisting of detailed monitoring of matric suction, volumetric water content and temperature within the different soil profiles, as well as measurements of runoff, interflow and site-specific meteorological conditions. Generally, all instrumentation performed well and was found to correctly measure the soil-atmosphere fluxes required to assess each cover alternative. Evaluation of the covers revealed that the 1m layered cover was the only one to maintain sufficient soil moisture for all monitored growing seasons. A significant portion of the available soil water was held within the peat layer. The other three covers lacked the required storage during drier periods and on numerous occasions soil suction values exceeded the wilting point

Citation:
Boese, C. D. (2003).  The design and installation of a field instrumentation program for the evaluation of soil-atmosphere water fluxes in a vegetated cover over saline/sodic shale overburden. 238 pages . Abstract
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The development of a non-Newtonian flow model for bounding the beach slope angle of high density tailings stacks

Authors Babaoglu, Y., & Simms P.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Babaoglu, Y., & Simms P. (2013).  The development of a non-Newtonian flow model for bounding the beach slope angle of high density tailings stacks.
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The development of shear strength in sludge/clay shale mixes for oil sands tailings disposal

Authors Dusseault, M. B., Scott J. D., & Ash P. O.
Year of Publication: 1989

Citation:
Dusseault, M. B., Scott J. D., & Ash P. O. (1989).  The development of shear strength in sludge/clay shale mixes for oil sands tailings disposal. 12 pages .
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The development of the Alberta bituminous sands

Authors Blair, S. M.
Year of Publication: 1951

Citation:
Blair, S. M. (1951).  The development of the Alberta bituminous sands. Report on the Alberta bituminous sands . 82 pages .
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The development of today's mineable oil sands projects the key factors influencing economics

Authors Lynn, J. R.
Year of Publication: 1991

Citation:
Lynn, J. R. (1991).  The development of today's mineable oil sands projects the key factors influencing economics. 8 pages .
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The distribution foraging behaviour and allied activities of the white pelican in the Athabasca oil sands area

Authors Ealey, D. M.
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
From mid to late summer 1977 an investigation was made of the distribution and foraging of White Pelicans in the Birch Mountains. This study was linked with a breeding investigation undertaken at the pelican rookery as part of the Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program. Aerial surveys, ground observations, prey analysis and prey sampling were conducted. Pelicans were observed to regularly use foraging/loafing areas up to 69 km from the rookery. Timing of diurnal arrivals and departures from all locations showed that the birds belonged to the same population. A shift in concentrations of the pelicans was detected over the summer. Reasons for this shift were advanced. Trends in diurnal and seasonal activities were determined for the pelicans away from the rookery. Basic behavior seemed comparable to that observed at the rookery. The behavioural observations indicated the importance of foraging areas and loafing bars. Habitat features varied considerably for these locations but basic criteria were established for each. The locations of the foraging/loafing areas were determined for lakes in an intensive study area. The diet of juvenile pelicans included brook stickleback, northern pike and lake whitefish. The total fish consumption of the Birch Mountains population of White Pelicans was estimated at between 19.7 and 24.8 tonnes during the 1977 season. It is recommended that this investigation of distribution and foraging of White Pelicans be continued.

Citation:
Ealey, D. M. (1979).  The distribution foraging behaviour and allied activities of the white pelican in the Athabasca oil sands area. 69 pages . Abstract
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The ecological effects of naphthenic acids and salts on phytoplankton from the Athabasca oil sands region

Authors Leung, S. S., MacKinnon M. D., & Smith R. E. H.
Year of Publication: 2003

Abstract:
To better elucidate the ecological effects of naphthenic acids and major ions liberated in oil sands development, the summer-time composition of phytoplankton communities in ten water bodies near Fort McMurray (northeastern Alberta) was studied in 1997. The water bodies varied in degree of process water influence, and in age, size and ancillary chemical characteristics. Community biomass of phytoplankton was not systematically related to naphthenic acid or major ion concentrations, even though the higher naphthenate concentrations exceeded published EC50's for acute effects on several different aquatic species. Chlorophyta were frequently dominant, particularly where naphthenate and major ion concentrations were highest. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) revealed gradients in taxonomic composition at a finer (genus and species) taxonomic level. Despite the simultaneous and uncontrolled variation of other environmental factors, naphthenate and major ion concentrations (as indexed by conductivity) explained a highly-significant 40% of the variation in taxonomic composition. Systems with naphthenates <6.5 mg l(-1) and conductivity <800 PhiS cm(-1) were clustered together near the origin of the CCA plots, suggesting little ecological effect at such concentrations. Taxa associated with elevated naphthenate and/or major ion concentrations were derived from six different algal divisions and included many that were identified as tolerant in previous bioassay experiments. Over the range of concentrations encountered (1.5-45 and 100-3000 mg l(-1) for naphthenates and ions, respectively), CCA indicated that the ecological effect of major ions appeared to be at least as great as that of naphthenates.

Citation:
Leung, S. S., MacKinnon M. D., & Smith R. E. H. (2003).  The ecological effects of naphthenic acids and salts on phytoplankton from the Athabasca oil sands region. 62(1), 15 pages . Abstract
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The ecology of five major species of small mammals in the AOSERP study area: A review

Authors Green, J. E.
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
The ecology (distribution, demography, habitat preferences and food habits) of five of the species of small mammals common to the Alberta Oil Sands are described – the species considered are Clethrionomys gapperi, Microtus pennsylvanicus, Peromyscus maniculatus, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus and Lepus americanus. The synthesis of available literature was restricted to these five species because these small mammals: 1. are abundant and widely distributed throughout .the AOSERP study area; 2. are important prey species of many furbearers and raptors; and 3. are potential pest species of afforestation programs in the AOSERP study area. Cyclic populations are typical for three of these species – C. gapperi and M. pennsylvanicus appear to undergo regular cycles in abundance once every three to four years whereas L. americanus appear to show regular 10-year cycles of abundance. P. maniculatus appear to undergo regular changes in density within each year but it is not clear if these species are cyclic over longer periods. T. hudsonicus population densities appear directly related to cone crop production. M. pennsylvanicus is rated as a major pest species of young afforestation areas. C. gapperi and L. americanus may also become major pest species as ground, shrub and tree cover increase. T. hudsonicus may cause severe damage to trees, particularly coniferous species, once tree cover is abundant and trees are producing seed. P. maniculatus damage is restricted to the consumption of tree and shrub seed – this is not thought to be a critical problem on afforestation areas in the AOSERP study areas in light of currently used afforestation techniques.

Citation:
Green, J. E. (1979).  The ecology of five major species of small mammals in the AOSERP study area: A review. 103 pages . Abstract
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The ecology of macrobenthic invertebrate communities in Hartley Creek northeastern Alberta

Authors Hartland-Rowe, R. C. B., Davies R. S., & McElhone M.
Year of Publication: 1979

Abstract:
Hartley Creek, a tributary of the Muskeg River in the Athabasca Oil Sands area of northeastern Alberta, has a discharge ranging between 0.5 and 7 m3.s-1 , experiences temperatures ranging between 0° and about 18°C, and has high oxygen concentrations at all seasons. The benthic fauna is rich and diverse and is dominated numerically by Chironomidae but by Trichoptera in terms of biomass. Each of the four principal substrate types found in the pools has a distinctly different benthic community. The riffle benthic communities are different from the benthic communities of the pools. The \"single-rock\" sampling technique has shown that the microdistribution of trichopteran larvae is influenced by both rock size and the presence or absence of moss cover. Host of the aquatic insects are univoltine (producing only one brood per year) with spring or summer emergence. A few species (some Chironomidae, Baetinae) may be multivoltine and at least one species takes at least three years. Invertebrate drift displays a typical diel cycle with morning and evening peaks. Predominant benthic components include Baetinae and Chironomidae but Cladocera and Copepoda are also abundant and are derived from pools. Temperature and discharge both exert profound effects on structure and composition of the benthic communities but none of the chemical factors measured appears to be a significant influence. The benthic communities of the riffles are different from those of the pools.

Citation:
Hartland-Rowe, R. C. B., Davies R. S., & McElhone M. (1979).  The ecology of macrobenthic invertebrate communities in Hartley Creek northeastern Alberta. 144 pages . Abstract
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The economic benefits of pipeline projects to eastern Canada

Authors Minardi, J. - F.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
Geographically, Canada is situated just north of one of the world's largest markets of energy consumers, and nearly 99% of Canadian crude oil exports find their way to American refineries. However, thanks in part to the remarkable development in recent years of new technologies like horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in shale rock formations, the United States has substantially increased its production of hydrocarbons. This evolution, related to the growth potential of production in Alberta, carries the risks that the supply of Canadian oil will exceed demand in certain regions of North America.

Citation:
Minardi, J. - F. (2013).  The economic benefits of pipeline projects to eastern Canada. 4 pages . Abstract
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The ecotoxicology of oil sands tailings on the freshwater leech Nephelopsis obscura and the oligochaete worm Tubifex tubifex

Authors Duguay, A. M. M.
Year of Publication: 1997

Abstract:
The toxicity of oil sands tailings was examined with respect to wet landscape reclamation for two benthic invertebrates. Exposure of the leech Nephelopsis obscura to mature fine tails (MFT) covered with clean water resulted in complete mortality within 2 weeks. Exposure to MFT separated from overlying water by a 2 cm layer of clean sediment had no effect on survival and minimal effects on the energy budget, with a decrease in ammonia production which compensated for energetic losses. Reproduction was reduced compared to controls, likely due to differences in behavior. Preference-avoidance testing showed that N. obscura avoids consolidated tailings (CT) water. Exposure of the oligochaete Tubifex tubifex to fresh and sparged (vigorously aerated) MFT covered with clean water resulted in complete mortality within 1 week. Survival and individual growth in fresh and sparged CT was equivalent to controls. Reproduction and population growth were delayed by 4-6 weeks compared to controls.

Citation:
Duguay, A. M. M. (1997).  The ecotoxicology of oil sands tailings on the freshwater leech Nephelopsis obscura and the oligochaete worm Tubifex tubifex. 235 pages . Abstract
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The effect of cover crop species on growth and yield response of tree seedlings to fertiliser and soil moisture on reclaimed sites

Authors Kimaro, A. A., & Salifu K. F.
Year of Publication: 2011

Citation:
Kimaro, A. A., & Salifu K. F. (2011).  The effect of cover crop species on growth and yield response of tree seedlings to fertiliser and soil moisture on reclaimed sites.
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The effect of fabric on the mechanical behaviour of a tailings sands

Authors Law, D. J.
Year of Publication: 1991

Citation:
Law, D. J. (1991).  The effect of fabric on the mechanical behaviour of a tailings sands. 273 pages .
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The effect of high and low dissolved oxygen on the toxicity of oil sands coke and its leachate to Chironomus tentans

Authors Squires, A. J., & Liber K.
Year of Publication: 2003

Citation:
Squires, A. J., & Liber K. (2003).  The effect of high and low dissolved oxygen on the toxicity of oil sands coke and its leachate to Chironomus tentans. 1 pages .
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The effect of microbial activity on dewatering of oil sands tailings sludge

Authors Lesko, G. L.
Year of Publication: 1991

Citation:
Lesko, G. L. (1991).  The effect of microbial activity on dewatering of oil sands tailings sludge. 8 pages .
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The effect of modifying factors on the toxicity of oil sands reclamation sediments to medaka embryo development

Authors Farwell, A., Lau A., & Dixon D. G.
Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:
Farwell, A., Lau A., & Dixon D. G. (2008).  The effect of modifying factors on the toxicity of oil sands reclamation sediments to medaka embryo development. 72 pages .
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The effect of oil sands process-affected water and naphthenic acids on the germination and development of Arabidopsis

Authors Leishman, C., Widdup E. E., Quesnel D. M., Chua G., Samuel M. A., & Muench D. G.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
Oil sands mining in the Athabasca region of northern Alberta results in the production of large volumes of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). We have evaluated the effects of OSPW, the acid extractable organic (AEO) fraction of OSPW, and individual naphthenic acids (NAs) on the germination and development of the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). The surrogate NAs that were selected for this study were petroleum NAs that have been used in previous toxicology studies and may not represent OSPW NAs. A tricyclic diamondoid NA that was recently identified as a component of OSPW served as a model NA in this study. Germination of Arabidopsis seeds was not inhibited when grown on medium containing up to 75% OSPW or by 50mgL(-1) AEO. However, simultaneous exposure to three simple, single-ringed surrogate NAs or a double-ringed surrogate NA had an inhibitory effect on germination at a concentration of 10mgL(-1), whereas inhibition of germination by the diamondoid model NA was observed only at 50mgL(-1). Seedling root growth was impaired by treatment with low concentrations of OSPW, and exposure to higher concentrations of OSPW resulted in increased growth inhibition of roots and primary leaves, and caused bleaching of cotyledons. Treatment with single- or double-ringed surrogate NAs at 10mgL(-1) severely impaired seedling growth. AEO or diamondoid NA treatment was less toxic, but resulted in severely impaired growth at 50mgL(-1). At low NA concentrations there was occasionally a stimulatory effect on root and shoot growth, possibly owing to the broad structural similarity of some NAs to known plant growth regulators such as auxins. This report provides a foundation for future studies aimed at using Arabidopsis as a biosensor for toxicity and to identify genes with possible roles in NA phytoremediation.

Citation:
Leishman, C., Widdup E. E., Quesnel D. M., Chua G., Samuel M. A., & Muench D. G. (2013).  The effect of oil sands process-affected water and naphthenic acids on the germination and development of Arabidopsis. 93(2), 7 pages . Abstract
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The effect of salinity on the emergence and seedling growth of Picea mariana Picea glauca and Pinus banksiana

Authors Croser, C., Renault S., Franklin J., & Zwiazek J.
Year of Publication: 2001

Abstract:
Mining operations in areas of the boreal forest have caused salinity issues to be a major concern for reclamation. One of the factors determining successful reclamation is the ability of species to self-propagate. The effects of salinity on the seedling emergence and early growth of three boreal forest conifers: Picea mariana, Picea glauca, and Pinus banksiana were determined. Seeds were planted in sand moistened with solutions of various concentrations of sodium chloride or sodium sulfate. Seedling emergence was monitored on a daily basis and growth parameters assessed after 6 weeks. The emergence of Pinus banksiana seedlings was least affected by salinity, and at certain concentrations, emergence even appeared to be stimulated by the presence of salt. Picea glauca was the most sensitive of the species studied. Hypertrophia was observed in all species at high concentrations of Na2SO4, and an increase in salt levels caused a corresponding reduction in seedling height and weight, root length and number of lateral roots.

Citation:
Croser, C., Renault S., Franklin J., & Zwiazek J. (2001).  The effect of salinity on the emergence and seedling growth of Picea mariana Picea glauca and Pinus banksiana. 115(1), 7 pages . Abstract
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The effect of soil water repellency and fungal hydrophobicity on soil water dynamics in the Athabasca oil sands

Authors Chau, H. W.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
Surface mining of the Athabasca Oil Sands of Canada is occurring at an unparalleled rate resulting in large scale disturbances over vast areas. Soil water availability for plants is one of the key issues faced when reclaiming the landscape. A factor which limits the soil water availability is soil water repellency (SWR). Soil water repellency is found on both natural and disturbed sites in this region and can cause reduced infiltration, reduced soil water storage, enhanced runoff, increased preferential flow, and reduced ecosystem productivity. Effective characterization of SWR, determination of the causes of SWR and understanding how it affects soil pores and water flow are important for environmental management. The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of SWR and fungal hydrophobicity on soil water dynamics in Athabasca Oil Sands. This was accomplished by determining the relationship between the measurement of severity and persistence of SWR and the critical water content (CWC) where SWR is greatest between different soils in the region. Examining how the water conducting porosity and soil pores are affected by SWR. Developing methods to quantify fungal strains that cause SWR and testing of these fungal strains for their ability to alter the SWR and infiltration into soil. Results show that a high severity (Contact angle) of repellency does not necessarily denote long persistence (Water Drop Penetration Time) or high CWC in soils from the region. A high severity of SWR in larger diameter pores decreased the water conducting porosity due to the larger pore contribution to the total liquid flux. The modified microscopy approach and the alcohol percentage test (APT) resulted in improved characterization of fungal hydrophobicity. Fungal strains were classified as hydrophilic, hydrophobic and chrono-amphililic based on their surface properties from these measurements. The surface property of selected fungi strains can alter the SWR in both a repellent and wettable soil and can also change the water infiltration rate. This research highlights the importance of characterization of SWR, the effects on water flow, and how fungal hydrophobicity can alter the SWR and infiltration. This will aid in improving our understanding of SWR and improve remediation efforts on water repellent soils in the Athabasca Oil Sands region.

Citation:
Chau, H. W. (2013).  The effect of soil water repellency and fungal hydrophobicity on soil water dynamics in the Athabasca oil sands. 145 pages . Abstract
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