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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.

Toxicity morphological changes and dissipation of oil sands naphthenic acids in Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii

Authors Goff, K. L.
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Naphthenic acids fraction components (NAFCs) are a toxic byproduct of oil sands extraction and refining in the Athabasca region of Alberta, Canada, accumulating with other contaminants in the large volumes of oil sands process water produced. NAFCs are incredibly complex mixtures identified as a contaminant of concern across a wide variety of taxa, but the reasons for their acute and chronic toxicity are poorly understood. Studies were conducted to help ascertain the toxic effects of NAFCs on the unicellular green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii wild type (WT) and two cell wall mutants: CC-400, which retains the innermost and outermost glycoprotein wall layers, and CC-3395, believed to be completely naked. The presence of the cell wall was strongly linked to NAFC toxicity. WT cells were most susceptible to NAFC toxicity (growth reduced at 10 mgL-1, but growing even at 100 mgL-1), followed distantly by CC-400 (decreased growth at 100 mgL-1) while CC-3395 was unaffected. Microscopy experiments (visible light, confocal laser scanning, and Fourier-transform infrared) and thin-layer chromatography of lipids were carried out to observe physiological effects. Exposure to NAFCs induced changes in cell surface protein structure and protein confirmations in WT and CC-400, and altered the diversity and composition of their phospholipid and lipid pools. CC-3395 had minor changes in phospholipid/lipid pools. Exposed WT cells showed evidence of decreased uptake of environmental macromolecules and palmelloid induction. Exposed CC-400 cells exhibited loss of phospholipids and showed some evidence of altered internal membrane and protein structures. CC-3395 showed increased active transport/export after exposure. All exposed cultures had an increase in the size and roundness of cells, as well as increased presence of vacuoles and granules and indicators of osmotic stress or metabolic leakage. These changes were consistent with surfactant exposure, a theory supported by the differences in toxic impacts between cell lines, as surfactant effects vary greatly between similar species and similar compounds. Studies were also conducted to determine the potential of NAFC biotransformation by C. reinhardtii. Changes in NAFC composition were observed, and were highly specific to compound class, structure, and algal strain. WT and CC-400 were capable of removing classical O2 NAFCs, while modification of O2S and O3 composition were mediated by all three algae.

Citation:
Goff, K. L. (2012).  Toxicity morphological changes and dissipation of oil sands naphthenic acids in Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii. 102 pages . Abstract
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Toxicity of Athabasca River and oil sands sediments to larval fish (PO)

Authors Parrott, J., Turcotte D., Headley J., & Hewitt M.
Year of Publication: 2011

Abstract:
Oil sands tailings pond sediments and sediments from the Athabasca River were assessed for embryo‐larval toxicity in fathead minnows and walleye. No effects were seen in fathead minnow eggs and larvae exposed for 20 days to 5 sediments from Athabasca River at concentrations up to 25 g L‐1. Two of three tailings pond sediments were toxic to fathead minnows at concentrations as low as 0.2 to 1 g wet wt L‐1. All three tailings pond sediments reduced growth (lengths) of larvae. Nine of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) measured in tailing pond sediments were above the CCME Freshwater Sediment Quality Guidelines, with phenanthrene being the highest at 19 μg g‐1dry wt. Total PAHs were up to 56 μg g‐1 dry wt. Total naphthenic acids in tailings pond sediment were up to 16 μg g‐1. River sediment had up to 2.6 μg g‐1 naphthenic acids and up to 0.25 μg g‐1 total PAHs. Results are preliminary, and we cannot at this time say what is causing the observed toxicity in fathead minnow larvae. Assessment is continuing with exposure of walleye eggs and larvae, to compare their relative sensitivity to these sediments, and to assess the potential causative compounds.

Citation:
Parrott, J., Turcotte D., Headley J., & Hewitt M. (2011).  Toxicity of Athabasca River and oil sands sediments to larval fish (PO). Abstract
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Toxicity of naphthenic acids in tissue culture water and environmental water to fish cell lines

Authors Dayeh, V. R., Lee L. E. J., Dixon D. G., & Bols N. C.
Year of Publication: 2003

Citation:
Dayeh, V. R., Lee L. E. J., Dixon D. G., & Bols N. C. (2003).  Toxicity of naphthenic acids in tissue culture water and environmental water to fish cell lines. 52 pages .
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Toxicity of naphthenic acids to the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca: Commercial mixtures versus extracts from oil sands process-affected water

Authors Bartlett, A. J., Frank R. A., Brown L. R., Gillis P. L., Hewitt M., & Parrott J. L.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Bartlett, A. J., Frank R. A., Brown L. R., Gillis P. L., Hewitt M., & Parrott J. L. (2013).  Toxicity of naphthenic acids to the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca: Commercial mixtures versus extracts from oil sands process-affected water. 1 page.
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Toxicity of oil sands to early development stages of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)

Authors Colavecchia, M. V., Backus S., Hodson P. V., & Parrott J. L.
Year of Publication: 2003

Citation:
Colavecchia, M. V., Backus S., Hodson P. V., & Parrott J. L. (2003).  Toxicity of oil sands to early development stages of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). 16 pages .
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Toxicity of oil sands to early life stages of fathead minnows

Authors Colavecchia, M. V., Backus S., Hodson P. V., & Parrott J. L.
Year of Publication: 2004

Abstract:
The present study examines the effects of exposure to oil sands on the early life stages (ELS) off fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Sediments within and outside natural oil sand deposits were collected from sites along the Athabasca River (AB, Canada). The ELS toxicity tests were conducted with control water, natural oil sands, reference sediments, and oil-refining wastewater pond sediments. Eggs and larvae were exposed to 0.05 to 25.0 g sediment/L and observed for mortality, hatching, malformations, growth, and cytochrome P4501A induction as measured by immunohistochemistry. Natural bitumen and wastewater pond sediments caused significant hatching alterations and exposure-related increases in ELS mortality, malformations, and reduced size. Larval deformities included edemas, hemorrhages, and spinal malformations. Exposure to reference sediments and controls showed negligible embryo mortality and malformations and excellent larval survival. Sediment analyses using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed high concentrations of alkyl-substituted polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compared to unsubstituted PAHs in natural oil sands (220–360 μg/g) and oil-mining wastewater pond sediments (1,300 μg/g). The ELS sediment toxicity tests are rapid and sensitive bioassays that are useful in the assessment of petroleum toxicity to aquatic organisms.

Citation:
Colavecchia, M. V., Backus S., Hodson P. V., & Parrott J. L. (2004).  Toxicity of oil sands to early life stages of fathead minnows. 23(7), 9 pages . Abstract
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Toxicity of oil sands to early life stages of two freshwater fish species

Authors Colavecchia, M. V., Hodson P. V., & Parrott J. L.
Year of Publication: 2005

Citation:
Colavecchia, M. V., Hodson P. V., & Parrott J. L. (2005).  Toxicity of oil sands to early life stages of two freshwater fish species. 44 pages .
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Toxicity of oil sands to the early life stages of fish

Authors Colavecchia, M. V.
Year of Publication: 2006

Abstract:
The present study examines the effects of exposure to oil sands on the early life stages (ELS) of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Sediments within and outside natural oil sand deposits were collected from sites along the Athabasca River (AB, Canada). The ELS toxicity tests were conducted with control water, natural oil sands, reference sediments, and oil-refining wastewater pond sediments. Eggs and larvae were exposed to 0.05 to 25.0 g sediment/L and observed for mortality, hatching, malformations, growth, and cytochrome P4501A induction as measured by immunohistochemistry. Natural bitumen and wastewater pond sediments caused significant hatching alterations and exposure-related increases in ELS mortality, malformations, and reduced size. Larval deformities included edemas, hemorrhages, and spinal malformations. Exposure to reference sediments and controls showed negligible embryo mortality and malformations and excellent larval survival. Sediment analyses using gas chromatography– mass spectrometry revealed high concentrations of alkyl-substituted polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compared to unsubstituted PAHs in natural oil sands (220–360 g/g) and oil-mining wastewater pond sediments (1,300 g/g). The ELS sediment toxicity tests are rapid and sensitive bioassays that are useful in the assessment of petroleum toxicity to aquatic organisms.

Citation:
Colavecchia, M. V. (2006).  Toxicity of oil sands to the early life stages of fish. 200 pages . Abstract
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Toxicity of saline groundwater from Syncrude's lease 17 to fish and benthic macroinvertebrates

Authors McMahon, B.
Year of Publication: 1977

Abstract:
The mining of the tar sands which are included in the area to be developed by Syncrude Canada Ltd. will require the dewatering of the mine pits. This will involve the pumping of large volumes of saline groundwater. Present plans call for its eventual disposal through Ruth Lake, the Poplar River and, finally, the Athabasca River. This study was designed to determine whether groundwater from the mine area is toxic to aquatic organisms and, if so, the concentrations at which this toxicity is expressed. A variety of species, including both fish and aquatic insects, was tested to determine the range of sensitivity among aquatic animals. The resultant data can, with some qualifications, be used to estimate the maximum safe concentrations of groundwater which can be added to natural waters with minimal risk of toxic effects.

Citation:
McMahon, B. (1977).  Toxicity of saline groundwater from Syncrude's lease 17 to fish and benthic macroinvertebrates. 99 pages . Abstract
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Toxicity of untreated and ozone-treated oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) to early life stages of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)

Authors He, Y., Patterson S., Wang N., Hecker M., Martin J. W., El-Din M. G., et al.
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Due to a policy of no release, oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), produced by the surface-mining oil sands industry in north eastern Alberta, Canada, is stored on-site in tailings ponds. Currently, ozonation is considered one possible method for remediation of OSPW by reducing the concentrations of dissolved organic compounds, including naphthenic acids (NAs), which are considered the primary toxic constituents. However, further work was needed to evaluate the effectiveness of ozonation in reducing the toxicity of OSPW and to ensure that ozonation does not increase the toxicity of OSPW. This study examined effects of untreated, ozone-treated, and activated charcoal-treated OSPW (OSPW, O3-OSPW, and AC-OSPW) on the early life stage (ELS) of fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). Success of hatching of eggs, spontaneous movement, and incidences of hemorrhage, pericardial edema, and malformation of the spine of embryos were examined. To elucidate the mechanism of toxicity, concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured, and the abundances of transcripts of genes involved in biotransformation of xenobiotics, response to oxidative stress, and apoptosis were quantified by real-time PCR. Compared to the control group, which had an embryo survival rate of 97.9 ± 2.08%, survival was significantly less when exposed to OSPW (43.8 ± 7.12%). Eggs exposed to untreated OSPW exhibited a significantly greater rate of premature hatching, and embryos exhibited greater spontaneous movement. Incidences of hemorrhage (50.0 ± 3.40%), pericardial edema (56.3 ± 7.12%), and malformation of the spine (37.5 ± 5.38%) were significantly greater in embryos exposed to OSPW compared to controls. These effects are typical of exposure to dioxin-like compounds, however, abundance of transcripts of cyp1a was not significantly greater in embryos exposed to OSPW. Significantly greater concentrations of ROS, and greater abundances of transcripts cyp3a, gst, sod, casp9, and apopen compared to controls, indicated that exposure to OSPW caused oxidative stress, which can result in damage to mitochondria and promote activation of caspase enzymes and apoptotic cell death. Removal of dissolved organic constituents by ozone treatment, or by activated charcoal, significantly attenuated all of the adverse effects associated with untreated OSPW. The results suggest that the organic fraction of OSPW can negatively impact the development of fathead minnow embryos through oxidative stress and apoptosis, and that ozonation attenuates this developmental toxicity.

Citation:
He, Y., Patterson S., Wang N., Hecker M., Martin J. W., El-Din M. G., et al. (2012).  Toxicity of untreated and ozone-treated oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) to early life stages of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). 46(19), 9 pages . Abstract
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Toxicogenomic investigation of naphthenic acids and oil sands processed water in rainbow trout hepatocytes

Authors Gagne, F., Andre C., & Sherry J. P.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Gagne, F., Andre C., & Sherry J. P. (2013).  Toxicogenomic investigation of naphthenic acids and oil sands processed water in rainbow trout hepatocytes. 1 page.
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Toxicological significance of grit replacement times for juvenile mallards

Authors King, J. R., & Bendell-Young L. I.
Year of Publication: 2000

Abstract:
Grit ingestion may be an important exposure route for environmental contaminants in waterfowl. Our objective was to determine turnover rate of grit in juvenile mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) by measuring the time required for juveniles to totally replace grit in the gizzard. To demonstrate the relevance of turnover rate for assessing contaminant exposure, we evaluated the suitability of wetlands receiving oil-sand effluent generated by the mining industry, as viable habitat for waterfowl. Captive mallards were allowed free access to pools of colored grit, the grit color was changed and the time required for color 1 to be replaced by color 2 determined. An exponential relationship between percent grit turnover and time was fitted to the data to obtain a grit turnover rate, k = 0.02/hr. This rate was used to determine amount of contaminants that would be ingested over 21 days by juvenile mallards using oil-sand wetlands as habitat. We demonstrate that grit ingestion could be a significant route of contaminant exposure, specifically for oil-sand related compounds such as oil and grease and naphthenic acids, to waterfowl.

Citation:
King, J. R., & Bendell-Young L. I. (2000).  Toxicological significance of grit replacement times for juvenile mallards. 64(3), 4 pages . Abstract
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Trace metals in scalp hair of children and adults in three Alberta Indian villages

Authors Moon, J., Smith T. J., Tamaro S., Enarson D., Fadl S., Davison A. J., et al.
Year of Publication: 1986

Abstract:
This study examined trace metal levels in scalp hair taken from 122 children and 27 adult residents of three small northern Alberta (Canada) Indian villages, one of which is situated close to the world's first tar sands oil extraction plants. The three communities studied were: Fort McKay (the exposed village), Fort Chipewyan (also in the tar sands ecosystem but distant from the plants), and Garden River (not in the tar sands ecosystem). Inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectroscopy was used to determine hair sample metal content. Nineteen metals were included in data analysis. Children from Fort McKay had the highest average hair lead, cadmium and nickel levels. Chromium levels were approximately equal in hair from Fort McKay and Garden River children, and significantly elevated above levels found in the hair of Fort Chipewyan children. Children from Garden River showed highest hair levels of eight metals: vanadium, aluminum, iron, manganese, barium, zinc, magnesium and calcium. Fort Chipewyan children had the highest hair levels of copper, but the lowest levels of all other metals. Among adults, hair lead, nickel and cadmium levels were highest in Fort McKay residents, while phosphorous and vanadium were highest in hair from Garden River residents. Bioaccumulation of lead, cadmium, nickel and chromium in hair from Fort McKay residents may be related to exposure to extraction plant pollution. Plant stack emissions are known to contain appreciable amounts of lead, nickel and chromium. Spills into the Athabasca River, until recently the source of Fort McKay drinking water, have been reported from plant wastewater holding ponds, known to contain elevated levels of lead, nickel and cadmium. An increased number of significant metal—metal correlations in hair metal levels for Fort McKay children suggests a richer source of multiple metal exposure, relative to children in the other two communities.

Citation:
Moon, J., Smith T. J., Tamaro S., Enarson D., Fadl S., Davison A. J., et al. (1986).  Trace metals in scalp hair of children and adults in three Alberta Indian villages. 54, 18 pages . Abstract
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Trace metals in traditional foods within the Athabasca oil sands area

Authors
Year of Publication: 2003

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2003).  Trace metals in traditional foods within the Athabasca oil sands area. (Golder Associates Ltd., Ed.). 89 pages .
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Tracer dye studies in the lower Athabasca studies

Authors
Year of Publication: 2003

Abstract:
The report describes the results of five transverse mixing and travel time tests carried out in March, 2003 on the Athabasca River between Fort McMurray and Embarras. The tests were carried out under ice-covered conditions in late winter. For the most part, measurements of the channel and ice characteristics, the discharge, and the concentrations within the dye cloud were carried out successfully under rather severe weather conditions. These measurements will provide a framework to better understand the mixing processes in the river during the winter. The dimensionless transverse mixing coefficients and travel times evaluated from the test data will be very helpful for selecting coefficients and calibrating two-dimensional water quality models of the study reaches and will therefore improve the assessment of wastewater management options in the study region.

Citation:
[Anonymous] (2003).  Tracer dye studies in the lower Athabasca studies. (Trillium Engineering and Hydrographics Inc., Ed.). 23 pages . Abstract
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Tracing aquatic foodweb impacts of oil sands mining process-affected waters using sulphur (gamma34S) stable isotopes

Authors Elsayeb, M., MacKinnon M. D., Dixon D. G., & Power M.
Year of Publication: 2005

Citation:
Elsayeb, M., MacKinnon M. D., Dixon D. G., & Power M. (2005).  Tracing aquatic foodweb impacts of oil sands mining process-affected waters using sulphur (gamma34S) stable isotopes. 2 pages .
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Tracing industrial emissions in the Athabasca oil sands region using stable isotope techniques

Authors Proemse, B. C.
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
The Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) in northeastern Alberta, Canada, is one of the world's largest oil reservoirs. Its heavy oil will become increasingly important as conventional energy resources decline. Due to the rapid industrial development in the AOSR, there have been increasing concerns about the impact of the emissions from the oil sands operations on the surrounding terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Stable isotope techniques may help to assess such impact provided that industrial emissions are isotopically distinct from background components. In order to trace nitrogen (N), sulfur (S) and molybdenum (Mo) emissions released by the oil sands industry, chemical and isotopic compositions of various N, S and Mo compounds in emissions and several environmental receptors were determined. Industrial N and SO4 emissions were found to be isotopically distinct. δ18 O and Δ17 O of atmospheric nitrate deposition and δ18 O values of atmospheric sulfate deposition showed trends towards lower values with increasing nitrate and sulfate deposition rates allowing for the quantification of industrial contributions to atmospheric nitrate and sulfate deposition in the AOSR (quantitative tracers ). Lichens responded to elevated N and S deposition in close proximity to the oil sands operations, whereas chemical and isotopic compositions of N and S in pine needles showed no significant industrial impact. δ 15 N values of industrial emissions provide a qualitative tracer of industrial N emissions in atmospheric ammonium deposition, lichen samples and soil water. δ34 S values in atmospheric sulfate deposition and total S in lichen samples were indicative of emissions of reduced sulfur compounds, likely from tailing ponds. Different sample preparation techniques were tested for the analyses of δ98/95 Mo. Results of Mo concentration and isotope ratio analyses on snow, air filter samples and fly ash samples from a coal-fired power plant suggest that industrial activities are associated with an increase in Mo concentrations and with Mo isotope fractionation, providing a potential new tracer for industrial activities in the AOSR. In summary, quantitative and qualitative tracers revealed that impact of industrial emissions on the surrounding environment in the AOSR were limited to 30 km distance to one of the major emission stacks.

Citation:
Proemse, B. C. (2012).  Tracing industrial emissions in the Athabasca oil sands region using stable isotope techniques. 279 pages. Abstract
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Tracing industrial nitrogen and sulfur emissions in the Athabasca oil sands region using stable isotopes

Authors Proemse, B. C., & Mayer B.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Proemse, B. C., & Mayer B. (2013).  Tracing industrial nitrogen and sulfur emissions in the Athabasca oil sands region using stable isotopes. 23 pages .
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Tracing industrial sulfur contributions to atmospheric sulfate deposition in the Athabasca oil sands region Alberta, Canada

Authors Proemse, B. C., Mayer B., & Fenn M. E.
Year of Publication: 2012

Abstract:
Anthropogenic S emissions in the Athabasca oil sands region (AOSR) in Alberta, Canada, affect SO4 depo- sition in close vicinity of industrial emitters. Between May 2008 and May 2009, SO4-S deposition was monitored using open field bulk collectors at 15 sites and throughfall collectors at 14 sites at distances between 3 and 113 km from one of the major emission stacks in the AOSR. At forested plots >90 km from the operations, SO4 deposition was 1.4 kg SO4-S ha 1 yr 1 for bulk deposition and 3.3 kg SO4-S ha 1 yr 1 for throughfall deposition. Throughfall SO4 deposition rates in the AOSR exceeded bulk deposition rates at all sites by a factor of 2–3, indicating significant inputs of dry deposition especially under forest canopies. Both bulk and throughfall SO4 deposition rates were elevated within 29 km distance of the industrial operations with deposition rates as high as 11.7 kg SO4-S ha 1 yr 1 for bulk deposition and 39.2 kg SO4-S ha 1 yr 1 for throughfall at industrial sites. Sulfur isotope ratio measurements of atmospheric SO4 deposited in the AOSR revealed that at a few selected locations 34S-depleted SO4, likely derived from H2S emissions from tailing ponds contributes to local atmospheric SO4 deposition. In general, however, d34S values of SO4 deposition at distant forested plots (>74 km) with low deposition rates were not iso- topically different from d34S values at sites with high deposition rates in the AOSR and are, therefore, not suitable to determine industrial S contributions. However, O isotope ratios of atmospheric SO4 in bulk and throughfall deposition in the AOSR showed a distinct trend of decreasing d18O-SO4 values with increasing SO4 deposition rates allowing quantification of industrial contributions to atmospheric SO4 deposition. Two-end-member mixing calculations revealed that open field bulk SO4 deposition especially at industrial sites in close proximity (<29 km) to the operations is significantly (17–59%) affected by industrial S emissions and that throughfall generally contained 49–100% SO4 of industrial origin. Hence, it is suggested that d18O values of SO4 may constitute a suitable tracer for quantifying industrial contri- butions to atmospheric SO4 deposition in the AOSR.

Citation:
Proemse, B. C., Mayer B., & Fenn M. E. (2012).  Tracing industrial sulfur contributions to atmospheric sulfate deposition in the Athabasca oil sands region Alberta, Canada. 27(12), 9 pages . Abstract
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Tracking changes in hydraulic conductivity of soil reclamation covers with the use of air permeability measurements

Authors Rodger, H. A.
Year of Publication: 2008

Abstract:
The objective of this project was to design a prototype field air permeameter that can be used to track changes in the hydraulic conductivity within soil covers with time. The evolution of soil structure in reclamation soil covers at the Syncrude Canada Ltd. oilsands mine is currently being studied. The Guelph permeameter is currently used to measure hydraulic conductivity, but gathering the data is a very time consuming task due to the relatively low hydraulic conductivity of the cover materials. The use of a faster, more efficient method would increase the capabilities for tracking changes in hydraulic conductivity of reclamation soil covers with time. Three air permeameter design options were evaluated. One design was chosen and a prototype was built. Preliminary field trials were conducted at the Syncrude Canada Ltd. oilsands mine in August 2005. Air permeability measurements were taken on various soil cover treatments and slope positions. Improvements to the air permeameter were implemented in 2006, and additional data gathered. Guelph permeameter testing was carried out alongside the air permeameter in both field seasons. The air permeameter and Guelph permeameter were also tested under controlled laboratory conditions and compared to standard constant head column tests. Results include correlations of air and water permeability for various materials and soil structures. Using dry uniform sand in a laboratory setting, the full scale air permeameter provided permeability values within 21% of a standard constant head column test. Testing of the air and Guelph permeameters on a cover constructed of peat-mineral mix over tailings sand revealed a difference of approximately one order of magnitude in permeability values. A difference of approximately two orders of magnitude existed between permeability values measured with the air and Guelph permeameters on till/secondary soil covers. Further investigation into the difference between values of permeability measured with both methods is necessary. If successful, the air permeameter could prove to be a viable alternative to the Guelph permeameter for use in long-term monitoring of soil covers used in mine reclamation or waste containment. A more efficient air permeability method would allow a greater number of measurements to be made in a shorter time and could be used to track temporal as well as spatial variability in hydraulic conductivity.

Citation:
Rodger, H. A. (2008).  Tracking changes in hydraulic conductivity of soil reclamation covers with the use of air permeability measurements. 116 pages . Abstract
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Tracking water movement in closure landforms in oil sands mines - extending temporal and spatial monitoring scales

Authors Barbour, L.
Year of Publication: 2014

Abstract:
The first oil sands mines in Northern Alberta will also be moving towards final closure within the next few decades. These mines are actively reconstructing final closure landscapes of overburden and mine waste and reclaiming these landforms as mining progresses. This reclamation is occurring at unprecedented scales over extremely challenging parent materials including saline/sodic overburden, sand and fine tailings, as well as refining by-products such as coke. Historically, the primary research questions surrounding reclamation were focused on the ability of reclamation covers to provide sufficient water for reestablishment of upland forests. More recently, the primary research questions are now focused on the release of water through surface and groundwater pathways to engineered closure wetlands and final release off site. This is of particular significance since the mines are designed as zero water release facilities throughout their operation life span of close to 50 years. A collaborative, multi-disciplinary, research program into the design and performance of reconstructed soil profiles on lands disturbed by oil sands mining has been ongoing at the University of Saskatchewan since the late 1990s. This presentation will highlight key findings from the historical research on long-term reclamation cover performance including the relatively long time frames that are required to demonstrate the trajectory and maturation of these reclamation cover profiles; decades (10s of years) for physical changes and water dynamics and longer (50-100 years) for chemical weathering and the re-establishment of upland forests. More recent research efforts focused on developing new tools for tracking water balance and water migration within closure landforms over large spatial and temporal scales will also be discussed. These methods include the use of air-permeability testing, Geological Weighing Lysimeters(GWL), Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) using fibre optics, mapping the stable isotopic composition of site wide waters, deep profiling of the stable isotopes of water, and vegetation monitoring.

Citation:
Barbour, L. (2014).  Tracking water movement in closure landforms in oil sands mines - extending temporal and spatial monitoring scales. Abstract
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Trading water for oil: Tailings management and water use in surface-mined oil sands

Authors Mikula, R.
Year of Publication: 2013

Citation:
Mikula, R. (2013).  Trading water for oil: Tailings management and water use in surface-mined oil sands.
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Traditional environmental knowledge research guidelines

Authors Smith, J.
Year of Publication: 2006

Abstract:
The CEMA TEK Standing Committee was established to guide the efforts of the working groups to integrate and use traditional knowledge to help ensure the land, forest, air, water, wildlife and biodiversity in CEMA's study areas will be protected, sustained and restored over long term. Information for this report was gathered from all the work put forth by the TEK Standing Committee to date. This includes the development of a facilitation model, information gathered from a two day workshop, research of existing traditional knowledge guidelines, previously conducted community workshops by CEMA Working Groups and multiple focus group meetings.

Citation:
Smith, J. (2006).  Traditional environmental knowledge research guidelines. 32 pages . Abstract
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Traditional food consumption and risk communication project in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (Phase 1)

Authors Chan, L., & Lawn J.
Year of Publication: 2008

Citation:
Chan, L., & Lawn J. (2008).  Traditional food consumption and risk communication project in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (Phase 1). 167 pages .
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Traditional knowledge of surface water - groundwater interactions in the Lower Athabasca Region

Authors Strand, J., & Light J.
Year of Publication: 2013

Abstract:
This report describes the study undertaken by SNC-Lavalin Environment (SLE) c to identify locations where there are potential interactions between surface water and groundwater. The study was done in the late summer and fall of 2012 and included interviews with 62 participants from First Nations and Metis groups located throughout the LAR. The interviews were conducted by two researchers from SLE with the assistance of community based researchers employed by CEMA. Interviews were conducted in Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay, Fort McMurray (at the CEMA offices and at the Nistawoyou Friendship Centre, at Anzac, and at Lac La Biche.

Citation:
Strand, J., & Light J. (2013).  Traditional knowledge of surface water - groundwater interactions in the Lower Athabasca Region. (SNC-Lavalin Environment, Ed.). 109 pages . Abstract
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